diagnosis with stage 3 colon cancer. The devastating news curtailed his motivation, but not for long. He relaunched his art career in 2009. Now a two-time cancer survivor, he has transitioned personally and artistically. He spends time mentoring young artists, and he has developed an almost Zen-like calmness that envelops him like a comfy quilt. His re-emergence into the art scene has been, by all accounts, successful. In 2012, some of his work was showcased in concert with the Arizona Centennial Commemoration. In 2015, he was featured artist at Free Arts of Arizona's Art Auction, and the following year he was again commended by Phoenix Home and Garden, and was a nominee for the Governor’s Arts Award. Today, his work can be found in living rooms and collections across America, and also at Casa de Artistas Scottsdale. Recently his paintings were also added to an installation at Sky Harbor
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Airport’s Terminal 3 titled “Stories from a Local Community.” It’s not easy to pin Ybarra’s style down in a few words. Like a mirror of his own life, his paintings have evolved over time, and he continues to experiment with ideas and themes like neo-cubism, pop art and mural art. For every work that seems classic Ybarra-like, there is another in which he stepped outside of his artistic box and created something entirely different—injecting humor, travel mementos, and even social justice into the back story. The important thing to Ybarra is that he continues to create. “If you’re really passionate, don’t give up,” he says, leaning forward in his chair. “I just keep painting. I don’t really want to stop.” ybarraart.com