You must go through it
2024 Street Wise Mural Festival
Location: Overpass at Goose Creek Path near 4747 Pearl St Boulder, CO 80301
Photos by Dona and Niko Laurita, Cam Margera, and Dittlo Digital
Do you know the origin of the piñata?
Take a look at the murals of Mr B Baby and you will find Chucho, a character she created inspired by the piñata. Originally, piñatas were filled with seeds rather than candy, and then broken over the garden to spread their seeds and bring a bountiful harvest.
In her mural for SWMF 2024, Chucho’s furry blue face stretches across the narrow top of the overpass along the Goose Creek Path. His red ears and nose peak above the tunnel while his red lips stretch into a faint smile. Chucho’s yellow eyes narrow above his light-blue hairy cheeks. He extends his red hands on either side of the overpass, each one holding a sprouting plant with roots visible in his palms.
Marias, Mr B Baby’s doll-like characters, watch the sprouts grow in his hands and hug his face. Based on lele dolls created in Mexico, the Marias wear colorful festive gowns and elaborate ribbon headdresses woven in their braided hair. The sun rises over one side while the moon rises from the other. A jaguar mask appears near the moon. Rainbow feathered birds fly outward from the mural.
Mr B Baby identifies immensely with the practice of breaking a piñata to see growth. The artist has dealt with anxiety and depression since a young age, and it was after reaching her lowest point that she began to see purpose. Mr B Baby found the darkness to be a blessing and helped her appreciate the light. Her murals often feature Chucho and the Marias to remind viewers to tend to their inner child.
Originally planning on painting a different sketch, Mr B Baby changed her design on the spot on the first day of the festival. She wanted to create something bold and impactful to transform the space and fit its unique shape. Now bikers, runners, and walkers heading east on the Goose Creek Path find themselves approaching Chucho, who serves as a reminder that sometimes you must go through the darkness to find the light.
Artist Bio:
Michelle Guerrero aka Mr B Baby’s work is a fusion of Mexican folk art and children’s books. Her artwork is a whimsical twist on universal themes, giving them a playful, colorful touch. She was raised in a predominantly Spanish-speaking home in Chula Vista, California with a single mother and her older sister. Her hardworking Puerto Rican mother taught her that the sky was the limit, and she hopes to portray the same message through her art.
Mr B Baby’s art is heavily influenced by her culture and her experiences in life. As someone who battled with depression and anxiety starting from a young age, she advocates for positive mental health and hopes to inspire other people to believe they can overcome adversities and pursue art. Her artwork has an alchemy, transforming emotions like sadness or anxiety into scenes of empowerment. Mr B Baby’s goal is to create art for everyone and in the process connect with people and spread happiness through her creations. She creates a wide range of characters who all tell their own unique story.