Strolling down Calle Colón, Ajijic’s bustling street that winds down to the malecon, it’s easy to spot a large, new mural covering a portion of the wall at the corner of 16 de Septiembre.
Created by artist Romy Guevara, the mural includes an abundance of dogs – dogs owned by real people in Ajijic, and each with a name.
Having lived in Ajijic for more than 20 years, Guevara is helping beautify the community while connecting with local residents. What makes him unique is that for 30 years he’s suffered from bipolar disorder and, during that time, a big part of his therapy has been to create art.
While he was working on the mural, an American lady who regularly walks her dog through the neighborhood stopped and asked him if he would include her dog in the mural. He agreed, and soon others were making the same request.
“I’ve lost count of how many dogs I’ve painted,” Guevara says.
Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder that causes periods of depression and elevated moods. The disorder affects approximately one percent of the global population.
“All my life I’ve had a special connection with certain ‘energies,’” Guevara says. “I thought these were normal. Then, three years ago I got very sick. I was depressed and experiencing these strange feelings, which made me feel out of control. Now, at 56, I’ve been able to study my life and see how I was quick to explode and become easily depressed.”
To offset these disturbing states, Guevara turned to art. “The only time I’m not sick is when I’m painting. I also take my meds. I was diagnosed bipolar disorder 30 years ago while living in Mexico and was hospitalized for three years. Since then I’ve been taking lithium daily. It relaxes my brain and I can sleep.”
Despite dealing with his illness, Guevara has been able to maintain his busy schedule. He also runs a gallery, Mr. Blue Pig, along with an adjoining restaurant, Azul Frida, where his mother Emilia is head chef, cooking up authentic Mexican cuisine.
In addition, Guevara designs homes and businesses, having just completed the redesign of El Mexicano, a corner jewelry shop located near his mural, which he helped transform into a quaint gallery. On one of its walls is a sampling of his Virgin of Guadalupe collages.
“One of my passions is to create art using the image of the Virgin,” Guevara says. “I have a fascination with her image. In 2012, I had a big show in McAllen, Texas, focused solely on this theme.” (Born in McAllen, Guevara says he began painting with oils and sketching at the age of six. “My mother says I was five, and we continue to have this ongoing debate,” he laughs.)
Guevara’s body of work includes a variety of mediums: collage, decoupage, acrylic, painted leather and fabric, and mixed media. He presently has his artwork for sale in his girlfriend’s tea room in Edinburg, Texas, where he visits multiple times during the year. Sometimes he’ll give art classes. “I love to teach, so I teach wherever I am.”
When Guevara was beginning to formulate the new mural on Calle Colón, he gave some thought to what Ajijic means to him. “I have many nice memories of Ajijic. My children, who were born in Texas, lived here since they were young.”
In the mural, which is not yet completed, he chose to include the image of the late Pedro Loco, Ajijic’s colorful character and a well-known lawyer. He also replicated part of Diego Rivera’s famous mural in Mexico City, with Frida Kahlo and her two dogs. His sprinkling of dogs, cats and cartoon characters add a sense of whimsy to the mural.
Guevara’s intention is to start a nonprofit organization, supported by local businesses, where he can set up a table alongside the mural and invite those who suffer from bipolar disorder to stop by and paint. He particularly wants to reach out to Mexican locals who suffer from this illness but often cannot afford medication. Ideally, the organization will be able to cover these costs, plus allow him to purchase the necessary art supplies for his “painting table.”
“Creating art has helped stabilize me, allowing me to lead a normal life,” he says. “I want to give others with bipolar disorder a chance to open up to their ‘inner artist,’ to connect with their creativity, their artistic expression. I figure that, since art has been my therapy for so many years, others with this disease can benefit from it, too.”
Mr. Blue Pig: Colon 41-A, Ajijic; 333-949-0994.