Another Day in Paradise Painting

Bio-Mission Statement I am a Mexican Artist; I immigrated to the United States from Mexico City 28 years ago. My process of creating a painting is rooted in who I am, integrating my past with my present cultures. My work process is exploratory; I create several layers of paint and/or mixed media and scratch the surface to find the surprise element within the painting. My work often explores the relationship between the natural and the manmade, and how vulnerable we are to both. One could not exist without the other; the natural world around us and our concrete jungles exert just as much power over us as we do over them. My bold brush strokes are the stable ground that I hold onto as an immigrant; the layers and complexity of being one, and the struggle to find balance between both worlds intuitively guide my work. I engage with the mark making, image and medium in a direct and an intimate way. As an abstract painter, I’ve always wanted to go beyond the borders of my canvas. When I began to think about how I would do this, I started to think about my roots and heritage, and ultimately to my childhood home in Mexico. The longhorn skulls emerged for me as a unique symbol of strength and courage, and I was excited by the opportunity to transform these into works of art. This process of preparing each skull for painting has become a form of art in itself for me, gaining a sense of the unique spirit each skull carries. Another exciting aspect of painting my longhorn skulls is the challenge of transforming my concepts into a three dimensional foundation. I feel as though my art is coming to life in new ways, leading to new discoveries as an artist. The concept of liminal space is something that I’m fascinated by, crossing the threshold between spaces, places and feelings. It is a mystery that I want the viewer to experience with me, to elevate and immerse yourself in power and feeling. My work today has a profound impact on my past history and the contemporary world we are living in. I am a proud strong Latina American female artist, exploring the connections of the conscious and unconscious aspect of life. I constantly apply paint and then I excavate into the layers to find my inner self. It is a raw way of introspection that is constantly surprising myself!