Mena Bo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Mena, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Without a doubt, it’s my kung fu practice. It commands my complete attention, pulling me into the present. I’m focused solely on the feeling of my body growing stronger and more agile, and in that space, time falls away. I always finish feeling not just spent, but recentered.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an artist and designer working primarily in illustration for comic books and coloring books, as well as graphic and product design. I see myself as a true freelancer at heart, always ready for the next creative challenge.
My work is deeply rooted in the themes of feminism, Mexican culture, and history. I love exploring how these elements intertwine to create compelling narratives from subjects that might otherwise be overlooked.
My most recent independent project is a coloring book titled “Mexican Goddesses: A Universe of Color.” This book is an effort to reclaim the female versions of Mexica gods, whose stories were largely erased following Spanish colonialism. I’m fascinated by their powerful symbolism and their relevance to our modern world.
Currently, I’m also preparing to publish a comic book called “Históricas,” which follows the lives of three remarkable Mexican women who made a significant impact on history. Based on true events, their stories are truly amazing. These women fought against the establishment and overwhelming odds to create a better life for their people.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My grandmother. She taught me most of the creative skills I use today and was always reading to me, sharing amazing stories from history. She was a very educated woman with a deep passion for her family. We were always either knitting, cooking, reading, or taking a stroll through a historic building.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of inadequacy. As an artist, you’re always aware that there’s always someone more skilled, and that your own work could always be better. This can be paralyzing. It’s scary to put your work out there with that voice in your head. I sometimes spend too much time in an endless cycle of revisions, striving for a perfection I know I have to let go of to move forward.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’ve always admired David Bowie. I know it might be a bit of a cliché, but for me, it’s his character as much as his music. He was so bold, relentlessly original, and completely unapologetic. To me, he embodied what it means to be a true artist.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m in my studio, completely absorbed in drawing. That state of deep focus is actually why I do this work; I believe almost nothing else compares to that feeling of peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mena-bo.com
- Instagram: @mena_bo
- Linkedin: menabo
- Twitter: @mena_bo
- Facebook: mena.bo.art
- Youtube: @mena_bo
Image Credits
Pictures and illustrations by Mena Bo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
