My name is Romeo Loya, also known as Mori, and I’m an artist from Muleshoe, Texas. I’m Mexican/Chicano and was raised by a single mother. I come from a working-class background, and opportunities like studying abroad are not easy to reach when you’re balancing rent, bills, and everyday life. I don’t come from money, and I don’t usually ask for help—but times are tough right now, and this opportunity means everything to me.

 

I want to travel to experience something new, feel something new, and challenge the way I see the world. Being immersed in a different culture would push me creatively and personally, helping me grow beyond what I know and where I come from. That shift in perspective is something I believe every artist needs, and it would deeply impact the work I create moving forward.

 

My art is heavily influenced by subcultures—metal and rock music, skating, punk and alternative scenes—along with my Mexican background, which naturally weaves itself into my work. I work across multiple mediums, including digital art, film, and traditional processes. This study abroad program focuses heavily on onsite drawing, which would significantly elevate my drawing skills and overall practice. As a way to give back, I plan to give away some of the drawings created during the trip to those who donate.

 

I work extremely hard to get where I am today, and I’m fully committed to working even harder to make this experience count. This trip wouldn’t just help me grow as an artist—it would help me continue building community through my work and creating art that reflects identity, culture, and lived experience.

 

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps more than you know. I’ll also be vlogging my entire study abroad experience, so supporters can follow along and see firsthand how their support is making an impact.

 

You can keep up with my journey on Instagram @iam_m0r1, and learn more about me and my art through my website. Thank you for supporting an artist who’s trying to create something meaningful and give back through art—your support truly means everything.