La Vida es un Cuadro
Location
FA-247
Department
Art + Design
Abstract
I create oil paintings of my family's life in Mexico, specifically depicting scenes in La Loma and La Capilla de Ocotlán, in Michoacán, Mexico, where I am from. This ranch is where my parents and I grew up. My journey being undocumented in the United States hasn’t been hard; what is difficult is not being able to experience and share time with family that is in another country. Going back for the first time inspired me to create unique paintings of what I saw and experienced. With these paintings, I am showing my family, everyday life activities done in the ranch, and landscapes. Life in Mexico is slower, but there is so much that has to get done to survive. Many could relate to the paintings because they are meant to capture a framed picture-like quality. My family in Chicago has lost the habit of framing and hanging photographs of the family and loved ones. Yet, when I was in Mexico, everyone had the same type of frame for their pictures, which made me realize how important it is to have photographs of loved ones to show around the house. It makes it nostalgic and gives love to those in the picture. Oil has become one of my favorite mediums to work with because it allows me to control, blend, and balance colors. I use different methods and techniques to achieve a realistic photo-like quality in my paintings. My intention is to show this side of the quality of life and the beauty of those who live it.
Faculty Sponsor
Todd Irwin
La Vida es un Cuadro
FA-247
I create oil paintings of my family's life in Mexico, specifically depicting scenes in La Loma and La Capilla de Ocotlán, in Michoacán, Mexico, where I am from. This ranch is where my parents and I grew up. My journey being undocumented in the United States hasn’t been hard; what is difficult is not being able to experience and share time with family that is in another country. Going back for the first time inspired me to create unique paintings of what I saw and experienced. With these paintings, I am showing my family, everyday life activities done in the ranch, and landscapes. Life in Mexico is slower, but there is so much that has to get done to survive. Many could relate to the paintings because they are meant to capture a framed picture-like quality. My family in Chicago has lost the habit of framing and hanging photographs of the family and loved ones. Yet, when I was in Mexico, everyone had the same type of frame for their pictures, which made me realize how important it is to have photographs of loved ones to show around the house. It makes it nostalgic and gives love to those in the picture. Oil has become one of my favorite mediums to work with because it allows me to control, blend, and balance colors. I use different methods and techniques to achieve a realistic photo-like quality in my paintings. My intention is to show this side of the quality of life and the beauty of those who live it.