Hi, my name is Andrés Hernández. I'm a self-taught queer Mexican artist based in Tijuana, Baja California. I'm asking for community support because I recently lost my primary source of income. Working as a freelance artist during a pandemic has been a challenging journey to navigate for the last two years.

As a result, I've found myself in vulnerable situations that have negatively affected my mental health. The lack of stability, the uncertainty of the next project that pays, and the renewal of contracts. It all eventually started to weigh me down. I feel tired and scared for my future.

Since the work I was doing previously was commissioned as freelance, I won't be given pay for vacation hours. And because I'm of Mexican nationality, I won't receive unemployment. With the funds I have right now, I will need to find a new source of income in less than a month, or I will risk losing my apartment.

Despite the many life-altering challenges these years have thrown our way, I am glad to say that at least I'm happy with my art practice. Producing new work has been my driving force, a glimmer of hope, and a new alley towards self-discovery.

Bread & Salt has granted me my first art residency from August to October. So, naturally, I want to be able to make use of the space they have kindly provided for me to create and showcase a whole new body of work. But I also need to be able to sustain myself while allocating enough time, energy and money to my work until I can find a new source of income.

All funds will cover basic living necessities, such as rent, food, bills, a monthly bus pass, and art supplies. Anything is appreciated. Donations over 25 USD will be sent a high-quality thank you postcard with new artwork and a handwritten note.