Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Luis Mercado (Nene). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Luis, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity comes from understanding that art and success are not islands, but bridges of communication and a universal language that allow us to connect different realities. My paintings are deeply rooted in my everyday life experiences, perceptions, and emotions; by sharing these honestly, I seek to create a profound connection with others. In every step I take, my mindset is clear: I don’t seek to fit in; I seek to stand out. I am generous with my story and my knowledge because I want my success to serve as a language that empowers others to stand out through their own essence, turning their emotions and life experiences into their greatest strength.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
About my work and story
I am a visual artist whose work serves as a living bridge between ancestral tradition and modern innovation. My journey began in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico, where I mastered the use of noble earthy materials like stone and wood. My fascination with these elements and their history later led me to explore the academic side of form and heritage, including an introductory course in Archaeology at Harvard University. This experience deepened my understanding of how materials carry the soul of culture, giving my work a raw, natural dimensional quality that still breathes through everything I create today.
Since moving to the United States in 1994, I have evolved into a contemporary artist. What I find most exciting about my practice today is the ease and adaptability with which I generate my pieces; I have developed the ability to seamlessly blend the soul of traditional acrylic painting with cutting-edge digital techniques, creating a fluid dialogue between my roots and the future.
What makes it special: What makes my brand unique is the concept of ‘Standing out, not fitting in.’ My art reflects the resilience of the immigrant spirit and my capacity to adapt to new tools and environments without losing my essence. I use my platform to show that background and age are not barriers, but catalysts for unique creativity.
What’s New (The Now): Currently, I am focused on expanding my international presence while embracing a period of remarkable local growth. 2025 has been a milestone year for my brand; I am celebrating successful exhibitions that have deeply solidified my impact within my regional community. Simultaneously, my global reach continues to accelerate. Following my features in Milan Weekly Magazine and Artist Close Up, several international doors are now swinging wide open, including a formal invitation to showcase my work in the United Kingdom. For me, every canvas is more than just art—it is an opportunity to build a new bridge of communication with the world.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, these are the three pillars that have been most impactful in my journey:
1. The ability to adapt to new tools—moving from mastering noble earthy materials like stone and wood to embracing modern digital innovation—has been vital. Looking back, my path was not a straight line; it was marked by errors that, at the time, caused delays in my development. However, I have learned to embrace those mistakes with resilience and strategic cunning. Today, I view my past stumbles as a masterclass in problem-solving. I take the time to meditate and reflect on those challenges, transforming former obstacles into a roadmap for my current success. The ease with which I create today is not an accident; it is the hard-won maturity of someone who learned to turn every delay into depth and every error into expertise.
2. Cultural Authenticity (The Power of Identity): Knowing who I am and where I come from (Yahualica, Jalisco) gave me a unique voice in a crowded room. To those starting: Seek to stand out, because trying to fit in is just a wall in front of your own potential. The world is constantly waiting for new artists to bring fresh perspectives; the world needs us to keep evolving. Your heritage is not a weight; it is the fuel for your creative evolution and your greatest competitive advantage.
3. Strategic Generosity (Building Bridges): Understanding that success is a bridge of communication, not an island, changed my career. I truly believe that ‘Gratitude is the currency of the universe.’ My advice is to share your knowledge freely. When you help others find their path, you solidify your own position as a leader. Generosity creates a network of support and opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did was to grant me the freedom to discover my own talent. They placed a profound level of trust in me at a very young age, providing me not only with the independence I needed to find my own voice but also with the actual tools to create. I must admit that, initially, that independence was terrifying; as a child, it was a heavy mantle of responsibility that I felt without fully understanding it. However, I chose to move forward—perhaps unintentionally at first, driven by a pure instinct to create—and luckily, the outcome was to honor their confidence by facing that uncertainty head-on.
This early lesson in autonomy is what fuels my resilience today. It taught me that the passion for art is a deeply individual and devoted journey. Even during seasons of personal transition or separation, that independence—rooted in the courage I developed through their trust—remains my sanctuary. My parents didn’t just teach me a craft; they taught me that I am the sole architect of my own path. Because of them, I know that my heritage and my individual devotion are the only tools I need to transform fear into creation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ne2x.com/
- Instagram: Luis El Nene Lizarde
- Facebook: Luis El Nene Lizarde
Image Credits
Luis Mercado
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