Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Cardenas studied art there (B.A. in painting in 1980) and at the University of Arizona, Tucson (M.F.A. in printimaking in 1990). In 1994 she completed a ceramic mural for a minimum security prison in Tucson. She has won many regional awards. Cardenas currently resides in Tucson. (Robin K. Dunitz, Street Gallery, Guide to over 1000 Los Angeles Murals)
