Toucan Painting

Born in Cuba; my family came to the United States when I was 4-years old. I was raised in a rural area about 30 minutes south of Miami, FL where I was lucky enough to grow up outside of the "big city". Surrounded by dirt roads, large open fields, horticulture and the FL Everglades just around the corner. I relocated to the Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR) for seven years before coming back home to FL. Art and creativity were inherited traits from my mother's side. Art has played a role in my life for as long as I can remember. I gather inspiration from my surroundings; the bright colors of tropical plants - the contrast in colors between foliage and blooms, the sky, the ocean, landscapes, gemstones, architecture, lines/stripes, blueprints, colors, music, etc. I have no fancy explanations or though-evoking descriptions of why I paint what I paint; I was formally trained however I enjoy the freedom of abstract art and the simplicity of minimalism. I paint based on what I feel at the moment which can be something as simple as waking up one morning with the urge to paint something in purple and yellow; something out of nothing. Artistic influences... Ms. Biddix was one of my art teachers. She said one day, as I was using oil pastels for the Dieffenbachia plant she brought in to class for a study, "If you want it to look exactly as it does in real life, instead of painting it, TAKE A PICTURE". Barnett Newman and of course, Rothko; their works are so simple, so "uncomplicated".