Working alongside muralist Mata Ruda
Brisa Tzintzun is Mata Ruda’s right hand woman in creating the School of Art’s new mural. As a senior majoring in Studio Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design, she is excited to bring the mural’s vision to life, revitalizing the Art District as a unique gateway to the Arizona campus.
Brisa is no stranger when it comes to working with Karlito Miller Espinosa, aka Mata Ruda, having previously collaborated with him for “Sonora” on the Historic Y building in downtown Tucson.
“I feel incredibly privileged to be able to work with Karlito again, as I’m getting first-hand experience working with an established professional,” said Brisa. “It’s also been great being able to drift away from Zoom and getting to do something I really enjoy.”
The mural is part of the arts renaissance here at the university. The mural’s content might be more than what meets the eye.
“It’s concentrated on what the School of Art represents, but also the cultural aspects of Tucson. Murals are fascinating as there are always hidden messages. You don’t directly see a pallet of paint, but instead need to find the meaning behind each and every item.”
A typical day of painting starts with Karlito setting out goals on what he wants to achieve for the day. “It’s collaborative but also individualistic work, because we get into our own zones when painting but come back together when we’re done,” said Brisa. “Our ending time varies, sometimes we’re so into it that we keep painting until the sun has set.”
Brisa is incredibly excited for the university’s vision in connecting the different types of art on campus. “This is definitely something we needed,” she said. “Within our colleges, we are very isolated, so it’s nice to have the mural as a reminder that all of us are a whole, instead of individuals.”
What advice does she have for aspiring artists?
She tells students to always take chances even if they’re intimidating right off the bat. “Don’t be afraid and always be curious, because curiosity can lead to opportunities.”
