I am Mirriam Leanne Blackwell, also known as El Negra, an Austin-based artist and former high school art educator gone rogue. After burnout led me away from the classroom, I returned to making art on my own terms. El Negra is a playful pseudonym rooted in my Tex-Mex heritage, queerness, and love of language. My work draws from lived experience, exploring transformation, self-belief, expression, and resilience. What began with resin accessories and functional sculptures has evolved into portraiture, fine art, and collaborative photo shoots.