Discover Your Community: Thriving as an Expat in Queretaro, Mexico

Meet Jacqueline Dahl: A Creative Journey from Oregon to Querétaro
American artist Jacqueline Dahl has turned a life of movement and transformation into a rich canvas of inspiration. Now based in Querétaro, Mexico, Jacqueline shares her remarkable journey—from interior design in the U.S. to discovering her passion for painting later in life. With whimsical charm and vibrant creativity, her art reflects the beauty of Mexico and the freedom found in reinvention. In this conversation, she opens up about her path, artistic influences, and what it means to create in a new country.

Personal Journey & Background

Guy: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you first became interested in art?
Jacqueline: I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I moved to Denver when I was 32. That’s where I met my husband, Bill when he was in town on business. At that time he was living in Seattle and he convinced me to move to Seattle to be with him. After a few years we moved to Boise, Idaho then on to Southern California. I attended The Interior Design Institute of Newport Beach and started my own little business. After 8 years in So Cal, we decided to move to Oregon. My father was very ill at that time and I wanted to be closer to him and support my mother. We lived in Oregon for 15 years, then it was time to retire. After years of research, we chose Mexico as our new home. We sold our home, one vehicle and all our possessions. We loaded our Ford Expedition with our 2 dogs, a laptop computer and a suitcase filled with personal items for each of us. We said our goodbyes to friends and hugged our family members not knowing when we would see them again. Our 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren were sad to see us go, but happy and excited about our new adventure in a foreign country.
We had prepared all our documentation so we hit the road! The trip took us 9 days making a few stops along the way. We had started our immigration process in Guadalajara so that’s where we had to complete it. We lived in a hotel with our dogs for several weeks while the process was complete. We had not yet selected where we wanted to settle so we visited several cities before arriving in Querétaro. We had a good feeling about this beautiful city as soon as our feet hit the pavement in Centro Histórico. Once again, we lived in a hotel while we looked for a suitable home. I’ve had an artistic flair for painting since I was a small child but didn’t really pursue it. Interior Design was nice but not as fulfilling as I’d hoped. When COVID hit, my husband said he wanted me to order art supplies for my birthday to spark my creativity. I did and the floodgates opened! I painted like an out of control wild woman! I was shocked at the talent I didn’t know I had. I had never had a single art lesson in my life which I believe gave me the freedom to experiment and create with no boundaries. Some pieces bombed terribly but most were amazing to me. I thank my husband for encouraging me and leading me down this incredible path.

Guy: What led you to move from the U.S. to Querétaro?
Jacqueline: When we lived in Southern California we were privileged to be mentors for a group of Mexican kids who lived in a very rough part of Santa Ana. These young people became like family to us. They talked to us about Mexico, how beautiful it was and encouraged us to check it out for our retirement. When the time came, that’s exactly what we did.

Guy: Was there a specific moment or experience that made you feel Querétaro was "home"?
Jacqueline: We arrived in Mexico and found ourselves homeless. We had researched and even previously visited a number of locations but none seemed to be “it” until we arrived in Querétaro. We were immediately struck by the beauty, the cleanliness and how friendly the people were. The climate was also very appealing to us as well as its proximity to Mexico City and other attractive and interesting destinations. We have never regretted our decision to lay down roots in the magnificent city of Querétaro.

Guy: How has your experience as an expat shaped your personal identity?
Jacqueline: Hmmm, interesting question. I’ll get back to you on that.

Artistic Work

Guy: How would you describe your artistic style and the mediums you work with?
Jacqueline: Most artists possess their own unique style. You can look at one of their works and know immediately who the artist is such as Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe or Monet. I don’t really consider that I have a my own artistic “style” because I paint a wide variety of subjects using whatever techniques come to me. The only works I’ve done where you would know I am the artist was a series of whimsical hedgehogs doing different activities. My clients were purchasing multiples so they needed to be consistent in style.

Guy: Are there recurring themes or messages in your work?
Jacqueline: I want my art to draw the viewer into the piece either by subject matter, colors or technique. My whimsical art is meant to bring a smile to your face. In fact, I call this line “Art that Makes You Smile”.

Guy: How has living in Mexico influenced your creative process or subject matter?
Jacqueline:Time. My lifestyle in Mexico allows me the luxury of time to paint. There is so much inspiration surrounding me in the vegetation, architecture and culture. My husband is a photographer so I often gather inspiration from his amazing photos. There’s never a loss for subject matter.

Guy: Have local culture, colors, or traditions found their way into your art?
I have had the privilege of painting several pieces reflecting the culture of Mexico, including an outdoor wedding and a woman going to market in her traditional clothing. I really enjoy incorporating the bold colors indicative of the country into my art.

Community & Inspiration

Guy: What does the artistic community in Querétaro look like, and how have you connected with it?
Jacqueline: Querétaro has quite a robust art community. I have attended a number of art shows and museum events. Honestly, I’m kind of a loner. It’s really difficult for me to put myself out there to connect. However, my husband is my biggest fan and is always looking for opportunities for me.

Guy: Have you collaborated with local artists or participated in Mexican art events?
Jacqueline: I’m hoping to get my work into a couple of events coming up before Christmas.

Guy: What challenges have you faced as an artist living abroad?
Jacqueline: I have quite a few followers in the U.S. so my biggest challenge has been the expense of shipping my sold art. I learned this the hard way. I sold a painting to a gentleman in Florida. The painting was sold for $125 USD. I guessed at the cost for shipping and charged him $35. The actual cost of shipping was $174. You do the math. Trust me: I’m very careful now!

Guy: How do you balance maintaining your American roots while immersing yourself in Mexican culture?
Jacqueline: Interesting question. This hasn’t really been difficult for me. I have almost daily contact with my American family, cook American food and watch American TV. If I don’t leave my home, I forget I’m in a foreign country. We have cultivated many friendships in Querétaro and love being invited to share outings. We enjoy sharing meals, shopping, going to concerts and cultural events with our friends. Being with my Mexican friends helps me to improve my Español.

Guy: Do you find that your audience or reception differs here compared to the U.S.?
Jacqueline: In my experience, American clients tend to prefer light hearted, whimsical art and portraits of their pets. I’ve found Mexicans lean more toward serious subjects.

Art in the Broader Context

Guy: How do you think art can build bridges between cultures?
Jacqueline: Art is an international language that can tell incredible stories. When I view the works of Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco or a number of other Mexican artists, I see the turmoil portrayed through their art that shaped Mexican history. For me, that is a bridge into the culture of Mexico.

Practical Matters & Future Projects

Guy:Where can people see or purchase your work—online, locally, or internationally?

Jacqueline: I have a website showing some of my art however it is not functional for sales. If someone is interested in perhaps purchasing my art, I recommend they contact me via WhatsApp. I can do a video call and show my art to them. This allows me to give a full description, including the dimensions and close ups of details. My home is my gallery and I welcome visitors (as long as they like dogs!). Just send me a WhatsApp or an email and we’ll schedule an appointment. I also do commission and custom art.

Guy: What advice would you give to other artists thinking about moving to Mexico?

Jacqueline: Inspiration is everywhere! Unleash your mind and imagination! First and foremost, make sure you have access to the tools and materials you need to create your masterpieces. In smaller towns you may not be able to purchase your supplies and if you have to order online, is delivery available? Having connections in the local art world is important if you want to sell your art. I’m still working on that part of my Mexican art journey.

Final Reflections

Guy: If you could describe your journey as an artist in one word or phrase, what would it be—and why?

Jacqueline:Astonished! I never knew the undiscovered talent I possessed until I painted my first piece! Even today I look around my home at my creations and am blown away!

To contact Jacqueline Dahl:
email her at: jjjdahl@gmail.com
Website: https://jdhlartistry.my.canva.site