9-eleven, 2019: pen & ink on mylar: overlayed on acrylic painting. textured float frame 20” x 30”

this is 1 of 22 pieces shown at my exhibition #norushforrelaxation. illustrated are the twin towers: one has 9 stripes, and the other with 11 stripes. below them are the pools which currently occupy the footprint of these once enormous 116 story buildings. the pools represented in gold, on the left with mirror accents showing those that have fallen in unfortunately more ways tragically than one; while the second pool on the right, accents flow upward to signify the rising to the heavens of those that have passed. —————————————————— it was my first year in the fall as a high school graduate; so naturally I was sleeping when my mom burst into my room crying, telling my something crazy was going on in nyc and my uncle was a local to the area making deliveries. we watched newscasts hoping for the best until a second aircraft hit the other tower. it was unbelievable. cellphone lines were jammed for hours until we heard of his route being cancelled that morning. we are very lucky to still have him with us. my heart pains for so many that are not.. that day changed how America operated and what New York city’s future would be. ————————————————

garbage nest, 2019: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar: overlayed on acrylic painting. textured float frame 20”x30”

#4 from n.r.f.r. on this particular walk through new york city, i saw this bag of garbage/recyclables. out of the bag was some vhs cassette tape that has either gotten pulled out or put in, semi poorly. the strand of vhs film blowing in the wind was eye catching, so i snapped a shot to refer to later. when i got home that evening, i began doodling, letting the music at the time (refer to playlist #1002 on my spotify) and the image speak to me. it indeed was a nest of garbage, beautiful, new york city garbage. as I began to doodle, which turned to sketching.. it began to break down my thoughts into symbolism and order. The bag the nest, my web is a catching device for incubation or death of ideas. seeing the beauty in the vhs film had a shine to it, which in my work, i had just started using molotow liquid chrome paint. an acrylic paint i started trying to use in many ways to accent my work, where i was previously using silver metallic paint to achieve such ideas. many tests, repaints, and so on, continued until reached my point of satisfaction. giving you a nest of garbage, simplicity in an idea on translating beauty in all forms. it is what you see, a time for reflection

cuchijo: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar: overlaid on acrylic painting & textured float frame 20”x30” 2019

the largest reflection in the series literally & figuratively; are we not seeing whats causing our internal pain? how obvious must it be in order to recognize why we may be distraught? are we seeing things as they are? or how I believe them to be? how many different avenues must we walk down, not recognizing we have habits we don’t realize are coming back to haunt us as obvious lessons we continue turning a blind eye to? questioning ones self in an effort to make positive change is the best place to start, or as said by jack kornfeild “ tend to the part of the garden you can touch. “

contributions, 2018/19: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on tracing paper: overlaid on acrylic painted newsprint in textured float frame ”24x12”

beauty, simply put. amaryllis, and daffodils, are some of my favorite flowers that went into these illustrations. i am amazed how natural beauty in a simple form; represented by long curved brush strokes, are complemented by the fine detail penned fractal beauty of nature. contributions is a partner to a previous posted piece entitled ‘decisions’.

contributions is about exchange in society at times we feel is necessary in order to continue forward. flowers are typically given to communicate human emotions ranging from love, to sorrow or gratitude.

who or what we want can seem out of touch with possibility of only remaining as a memory if we don’t take corrective actions and self reflection within ourselves.

contributions, 2018/19: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on tracing paper: overlaid on acrylic painted newsprint in textured float frame ”24x12”

beauty, simply put. amaryllis, and daffodils, are some of my favorite flowers that went into these illustrations. i am amazed how natural beauty in a simple form; represented by long curved brush strokes, are complemented by the fine detail penned fractal beauty of nature. contributions is a partner to a previous posted piece entitled ‘decisions’.

contributions is about exchange in society at times we feel is necessary in order to continue forward. flowers are typically given to communicate human emotions ranging from love, to sorrow or gratitude.

who or what we want can seem out of touch with possibility of only remaining as a memory if we don’t take corrective actions and self reflection within ourselves.

beauty, simply put. amaryllis, and daffodils, are some of my favorite flowers that went into these illustrations. i am amazed how natural beauty in a simple form; represented by long curved brush strokes, are complemented by the fine detail penned fractal beauty of nature. contributions is a partner to a previous posted piece entitled ‘decisions’.

contributions is about exchange in society at times we feel is necessary in order to continue forward. flowers are typically given to communicate human emotions ranging from love, to sorrow or gratitude.

who or what we want can seem out of touch with possibility of only remaining as a memory if we don’t take corrective actions and self reflection within ourselves.

french curves (jaw harp), 2019: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar - overlaid on acrylic painting & textured float frame 20”x30”

catching a breath from the work we put into anothers joy, we catch a glimpse of ourselves being satisfied with our own happiness. putting in hard work which will yield great successes in our efforts to achieving true happiness in the future, are joyful productive goals. pleasing and motivating to living day to day for such achievements.

pen & ink on mylar: overlayed on acrylic painting. textured float frame 20”x30”

trigeminal neuralgia, similarly different to TMJ. as an avid gum chewer I often come across others who suffer from TMJ when offering gum. only during the debut of this piece in my show ‘no RUSH for relaxation’ did I discover that my father lives with trigeminal neuralgia. the illustration above represents aspects of the condition described above; which can cause one to speak less, feel uncomfortable, and potentially moving ones jaw may result in a detonation of pain. similar emotions can also be felt when communicating with individuals in relationships, where communication can become challenging or difficult. the desire to be heard, but falls on deaf ears, the approach becomes confining, and internal dialogue builds with a series of possible outcomes which could lead to possible devastation. breaking free for self reflection sometimes can seem like the only solution.

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pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar: overlaid on acrylic painting & textured float frame 20”x30”

in the search of finding love, we often spread out as much as possible to see if actions are reciprocated. looking at ourselves and reflecting, we are able to understand from mistakes & gradually build confidence in such learning. with confidence, showcasing our health, talents, and skills our scope begins to narrow with only one goal in mind. obtaining & receiving love. hence the emerald circle with the golden metallic sheild of protection. nada es fácil. y esta es la pieza 6 de esta serie.

mi casa, 2019: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar: overlayed on acrylic painting. textured float frame 20”x30”

2nd of 22 pieces from my solo exhibition #norushforrelaxation also from 20”19”. illustrated are several rectangles painted in mirror paint shining bright in a sea of opposition gold metallic paint, overlapping and fighting to survive in the same ocean. together representing several of the neighborhoods of what makes the isle of manhattan an amalgamation of diversity which changes from neighborhood to neighborhood; and even more drastically at times, one block to the next. painted in white acrylic at the lower left of the island of rectangles is a small, barely visible “the big apple” and the love i have for this city; and the nickname was icing on the cake, which i believe is fading.

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the title mi casa: playing off the spanish expression, was chosen as son of costa rican immigrants & how I feel about being here in new york for the past 13 years. i have been fortunate enough find work, make friends, pursue endeavors I never thought I would have the opportunity to do.. to continue living here still has been a blessing. i hope in these trying times, that the sense of community and kindness continues to grow well into the future for others to want to make nyc their home, and share it with everyone. nyc stay strong.

pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar: overlaid on acrylic painting & textured float frame 20”x30”

the ghost of another fills our being from here until eternity, occupying valuable mental real-estate whether we approve of it or not. these “ghosts” synonymous to memories in this scenario can be remembered for negative or positive. in pursuance of enlightenment and happiness; the latter would have to be obvious alternative.

Moving on from the past can be challenging.

aptly titled “you’re not alone”; more so than ever, we are not. the idea for this piece was based of internalizing thoughts often, the need to shut off, getting out side yourself, seeing yourself & reality more positively through a different lens; through avenues such as communication, reflection and meditation. talking with others often has snapped me out of a personal fog i led myself into. i appreciate those moments & humans. which is why I felt the 3rd piece from my solo show, ‘no RUSH for relaxation’ was fitting to show during mental health awareness month. i am not alone, and neither are you. take care of yourself & wash your

detail on the phrase and body below

detail on the phrase and body below

detail on the phrase and body below

directionless love v.2: digital wallpaper

pen, ink, & acrylic paint on tracing paper: overlaid on acrylic painted newsprint in textured float frame ”36x12”

we are mid way into the first series of paintings, continuing to get more emotional, and into deeper though; this triptych called decisions which presents thoughts or questions formed to mimic animated neons of exotic dance clubs. Paired with dear thoughts pertaining to individuals in relationships being challenged in any capacity, and having the courage to communicate on a larger empathetic, understanding level; in order to continue forward on a positive trajectory for the individual. And be at peace with ones self..

directionless love v.1: digital wallpaper

consideration: mixed media, 2020

Peace symbol. The symbol now known internationally as the "peace symbol" or "peace sign", or alternatively as the nuclear disarmament symbol, or the CND symbol (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) originates as a symbol representing the threat of nuclear annihilation used in British anti-nuclear activism from 1958

/əˈbyo͞oz/, 2019: pen, ink, & acrylic paint on mylar: overlaid on acrylic painting & textured float frame 20”x30”

to bring attention to national domestic violence awareness month; my fifth piece from no rush for relaxation, was the idea for having anguish simply represented by the sadden eye that had lost or left a tremendous love. the beautiful lips, discolored, chapped, or bruised; perhaps sorrow was all which was left to offer. The mirror paint in the eyelashes showing a bright future will rise through self reflection, although the metallic lip liners showing strength in beauty can fade with time, but it is your inner qualities that persist and will last throughout your life.

ink & paper 10” x 12”

details

pañuelo 2016-2019: biro (ballpoint pen on tea/coffee stained mounted & stiffened cotton handkerchief framed 21”x21”

folded neatly in their one of the many pockets my father and his, carried panuelos. spanish for handkerchief, often sneezing or wiping facial excretions :) throughout the day. understandably eco friendly whilst, simultaneously very off-putting. having seen this often through out my child-hood it was a medium I always wanted to illustrate on, and so I did as a child. letting go of reality & exercising my imagination filling the intended square area with thoughts, dreams, delights, vices, and fears.

details

butterfly moments: ink & paper

birthday-cake : pen & ink

parameters of love: ink & watercolor

hello :), 2017: pen & ink on mylar, over-layed on acrylic painting. 8”x10”

this is a pivotal piece in my art making, where i really began to explore color in a mild manner along with letting myself loose control of my expectations. i started to see how i could incorporate color more in my work in order to enhance or highlight my thoughts. additionally i started creating work that was more uplifting to me that brought me joy. the discovery of placing color behind the line work, i found

didnt muddy the visual detail i put in and from then on i began a new chapter to my creating.

as we are approaching almost one year already from my solo show, it was for this reason i chose to

use this image as the window vinyl upon entering the gallery space. representing the body of work that

laid ahead derived out of this image, including the enhancements to bring the window version to life.

halloween love: scratchboard