Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark
Hi Mark, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in a small country town, the child of immigrants who came here to work the fields. My parents, young and struggling, were barely making ends meet. My father, just 16 when I was born, and my mother, 15, worked tirelessly, but no matter how hard they tried, it was never enough. In the end, my father turned to the cartel to survive.
I spent most of my childhood feeling like an outsider. I was too Mexican for the white kids and too Americanized for my Mexican family. I never felt like I belonged, always stuck in between two worlds, neither one fully accepting me.
When I was 17, my father abandoned us and went back to Mexico. The last time I saw him was when I was 18. The cartel called, demanding a ransom for his life. They said they would kill him if we didn’t pay. There’s so much more to the story, of course, including how my father had been grooming me to follow in his footsteps, preparing me for a life in the drug trade.
But that moment—the one where my father’s life hung in the balance—was the moment that broke the cycle for me. It shattered the mental poverty that had weighed down my heart and mind for so long. That was the turning point. I became the first person in my family to graduate high school and then college. And it was in Dallas, away from the suffocating grip of my past, that I found my beautiful wife.
In 2020, I began painting, and that became my path to healing. My first exhibition was at the Dallas Bathhouse and Cultural Center. From there, I went on to have solo shows at Luz Art New York, Lubbock Christian University, and have also shown in places like Venice Italy, and numerous venues around Dallas-Fort Worth, including the Latino Cultural Center and Artes de la Rosa in Fort Worth. I’ve also had speaking engagements in New Jersey, New York, and various establishments in DFW. Each painting I created spoke to my Mexican heritage and my faith—two pillars that have shaped who I am today and helped me transform my life.
The events of my past have left scars, and mental health has been an ongoing battle. But it’s also what has driven me to focus on bringing awareness to mental health issues, particularly in the Latino community. As men, we’re taught to be tough, to hide our emotions, to carry burdens in silence. But I want to change that narrative. I want to create a space where vulnerability is celebrated, not shamed.
This September, I’ll be curating a show at Artes de la Rosa in Fort Worth, called Sentimientos del Macho. This exhibition is my effort to bring mental health into the light, especially when it comes to Latino men. We’re often expected to be hard, stoic, unfeeling, but I want to show that we can break through that idea. A man can be macho, but also emotionally responsible. A man can love, be vulnerable, and still be strong. We don’t have to live up to the stereotypes passed down through generations.
The artists who will join me—men like Joaquin Soto, Alec De Jesus, Noin Rivera, Romulo Martinez, and other talented individuals—are not just accomplished in their craft, but deeply involved in strengthening our community. Together, we hope to inspire a movement that encourages a healthier approach to mental health in Latino men.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue crafting and curating exhibitions that tackle difficult topics, ones that challenge the stigmas and stereotypes that too often hold us back. My goal is to create spaces for healing, understanding, and growth—places where people can break free from the invisible chains that bind them. This is just the beginning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a tough journey, especially navigating the world of higher education. Being the first in my family to attend college was a huge milestone, but I had no idea what I was doing. Financial aid was overwhelming, with piles of paperwork that seemed impossible to manage. Coming from a background of poverty, when I saw the financial aid offers, I just signed my name without fully understanding the long-term consequences. I had no one guiding me through the process, and in hindsight, I realize I was signing away my future without the proper counseling.
One of the hardest battles I’ve faced was overcoming my depression. It took me three years to recover, and during that time, I had to seek help from mental health professionals. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It wasn’t easy, but it was essential for my healing.
Another challenge I struggled with was my identity as a Mexican. For a long time, I hated being Mexican because of all the negative stereotypes surrounding my culture. To me, those weren’t just stereotypes—they were my reality. I distanced myself from my heritage and wanted to live a different life. But everything changed when I took a class with Professor Maria Elena Perez. She helped me see the beauty in my culture, taught me to embrace it, and loved me through some of my darkest moments. When I left her class, I felt empowered and, for the first time in my life, I truly loved who I was.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an artist who happens to teach. I’m also a youth pastor, a father of 4. A motivational speaker and a man who loves to help out in the community as much as possible.
I’m most proud of my personal growth and resilience. I’ve overcome challenges like navigating higher education, battling depression, and embracing my Mexican heritage. I’m also proud to serve my community, showing others that there is a way out and a path to rise up. Ultimately, I’m proud of how far I’ve come in my journey toward self-empowerment and healing.
What matters most to you?
My faith. Because without being rooted and grounded in my faith I wouldn’t have had the change in my life that I see today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MarkHernandezFineArts.com
- Instagram: MarkHernandez_FineArts
- Facebook: Mark Hernandez
