Mariposas, Escobas, y Mariposas, 2022, Oil on canvas

In Mariposas, Escobas, Y Mariposas, I honor my mother and others like her who embody the immigrant spirit. Her story represents so many who immigrated from Mexico to the United States, learned a new language, and a new way of life. In this painting I bring together my two formative experiences: my life as a first-generation Mexican American and my career as a fine artist. I compose a traditional European still-life, featuring a beautiful flower arrangement, but intermixed with the flowers are the tools of the trade of a house cleaner, equally beautiful.

La Piñata in 17th Century Landscape, 2022, Oil on canvas

In La Piñata in the 17thCentury Landscape, I intertwined my Mexican-American heritage with a 17th Century classical landscape. The piñata is a self-portrait of me and my community. As BIPOC folks enter positions of influence, we enter a new landscape far from our gente. The piñata is the elephant in the room. Its mere presence can be seen as a protest or celebration. The piñata inhabits a space where no one expects it to be or known to be. Yet, the piñata stands comfortably and embraces its new surroundings.

Romeo, 2020, Oil on canvas

Romeo is the name of the local taquero. Pandemic or not, I can always expect him and his team to be serving the most delicious tacos in Boyle Heights. Taco stands like this one is a fixture of Los Angeles. They represent ingenuity, hard work, and cultural immigrant diversity that make LA great. Tragically, this community is overlooked. My aim is to celebrate and give a platform to BIPOC in the fine art world.