Artist Shares Passion Through SENMC Community Education

By Misty Cryer

As a wife, mother of three, cosmetologist by trade, and an artist, Makayla Cardona enjoys staying active in the community. She is excited to share her passion for art as the instructor of the upcoming series of acrylic painting classes offered through the Community Education Department at Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC).

The Community Education schedule for Spring 2026, published on the college website, says, “This acrylic class is designed to help students explore color, composition, and technique in a relaxed and encouraging environment.”

The series of classes for ages 16 and up is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on February 12 and 26, March 12 and 26, and April 9 and 23. For all classes, the cost is $140, or $25 for one class, according to the schedule.

“We’re going to do New Mexico landscape paintings,” said Makayla. “I am attempting to make each one a standalone so that they can come for one, or they can come for all six,” she said, adding that all the supplies are included.

The classes are suited for beginners. “We’re only going to have two hours each class. I want everyone to be able to come and do it,” said Makayla. “I don’t want them to feel like they have to have any artistic ability or have any painting knowledge. It’s just for everyone,” she said.

Makayla said she started painting about eight years ago. While putting away her kids’ old school supplies, the thought of trying watercolor painting came to mind. “It’s fun to do with the kids, so we just cleaned up their old pallets and started painting,” she said.

With experience teaching classes at Cavern City Tattoo previously and at Carlsbad Museum during the Roderick Mead exhibit, Makayla said this will be her first time teaching acrylic painting. “I pretty much paint watercolors, so it will be an adventure,” she said.

“I’m super excited about it. I think it will be really fun,” Makayla said about instructing the SENMC Acrylic Painting classes. “I like sharing art with people and doing art with people,” she said.

Originally from Colorado, Makayla said she has been in the Carlsbad area for almost 20 years. She has three girls, 17, 15, and 8, and she tries to be involved in the community. “I feel like just with my family and everything, it keeps me pretty busy in a lot of different things.”

Although life has thrown some curveballs her way, Makayla continues to pursue her interests. “I actually became disabled in 2012. I had all my credits to start nursing school, then I got sick,” said Makayla.

“The next thing I was interested in was cosmetology. It took me a long time to get through school and everything, but it is something I love doing,” she said.

Continuing her education at The Beauty College of Eddy County, she became a cosmetologist. “I got certified in 2021; that’s when I finished school. I started working at Billie’s Beauty Salon,” Makayla said.

“I love watercolor painting. That’s my passion,” she said. When asked what she enjoys most about painting, Makayla said, “It’s my therapy; it’s how I release.” She said it has helped her slow down by giving her something to focus on when she is in the hospital or coming out of it. “It just helps convey everything that words can’t,” she said.

Makayla said Georgia O’Keeffe, an artist who painted a lot of New Mexico landscapes, is her biggest inspiration. “As a kid, we would drive down here to visit my grandma. Driving all the way across New Mexico seemed so boring in the beginning but just seeing how she interpreted it changed the way I view the desert,” she said.

Other than landscapes, Makayla said she has painted a lot of birds, including painting the 12 Days of Christmas for a tree featured in the Assistance League’s Christmas Tree Auction previously.