Las Boxeadoras
Las Boxeadoras

30 x 40

Acrylic on Canvas

I remember when these Jordans came out. They were referred to as “Las Boxeadoras” (The boxers). I really wanted a pair but knew my mom couldn’t afford them, so I never asked. My neighbor got them for Christmas, I asked to borrow one to trace the silhouette. I drew the other parts of the shoe, cut it out and taped them to the sides of my old Chucks. As I reflected on that day, I could hear Jerry Rivera’s “Cara de Niño” playing in the background. It was a Saturday morning. I was finishing the drawing for the right shoe in the corner of our apartment with my favorite blue blanket in hand. As I added the final details, mom yelled from the room: “Michael, me recoges tus cosas que tengo que barrer”(Michael, pick up your things I have to sweep) “Soy cara de niño, con alma de hombre…” played.

El Nintendo
El Nintendo

36 x 48

Acrylic on Canvas

Most days after school I went to my neighbor’s apartment to play. He lived a couple of doors down from me. His brother moved to Miami so he sent him all the latest toys and video games. One typical Monday afternoon I rushed home after class, finished my homework then asked mom for permission to go out. I ran down the hall, zig zagging through the shadows on the wall, to my friend’s place to play Duck Hunt. I was eager to beat his high score since he kept bragging about it during school. He played first. Turned on the Nintendo. Duck Hunt title screen popped up, game on! He vigorously moved with the ducks as he took his shot. I sat blanket in hand, patiently waiting. He made it to round 3 before his third miss. Dog laughed, his turn ended. He got up to go to the bathroom and told me to play. The sun was setting, it was beginning to get dark outside. As I grabbed the gun to start, the room light was turned off, I heard a loud door creaking followed by footsteps. Loud thunder. Wolves howling. Music began to build. Then out of the shadows, my friend ran into the room screaming! I jumped in fear, I tried to scream but terror took the sound before I made it. He laughed hysterically as “Cause this is THRILLER, Thriller night…” played in the background.

...till the soul falls
...till the soul falls

12 x 12

Acrylic on Wood Panel

Study

it was all a dream...
it was all a dream...

12 x 12

Acrylic on Wood Panel

Study

When Biggie said “It was all a dream…” I used to sketch He-Man and his team. As a kid I dreamt of having my own set of Masters of The Universe toys. My neighbor had a collection we’d play with after school. During the intermission of our play battles, I’d sketch as many of the characters as I could, to later add to my paper cut-out-action-figure set. Crayon Skeletor stood no chance against Color-Pencils He-Man. Precious memories. Now I use vintage toys to set up still life references for a series of paintings based on those childhood memories. Living the dream.

Las Boxeadoras
El Nintendo
...till the soul falls
it was all a dream...
Las Boxeadoras

30 x 40

Acrylic on Canvas

I remember when these Jordans came out. They were referred to as “Las Boxeadoras” (The boxers). I really wanted a pair but knew my mom couldn’t afford them, so I never asked. My neighbor got them for Christmas, I asked to borrow one to trace the silhouette. I drew the other parts of the shoe, cut it out and taped them to the sides of my old Chucks. As I reflected on that day, I could hear Jerry Rivera’s “Cara de Niño” playing in the background. It was a Saturday morning. I was finishing the drawing for the right shoe in the corner of our apartment with my favorite blue blanket in hand. As I added the final details, mom yelled from the room: “Michael, me recoges tus cosas que tengo que barrer”(Michael, pick up your things I have to sweep) “Soy cara de niño, con alma de hombre…” played.

El Nintendo

36 x 48

Acrylic on Canvas

Most days after school I went to my neighbor’s apartment to play. He lived a couple of doors down from me. His brother moved to Miami so he sent him all the latest toys and video games. One typical Monday afternoon I rushed home after class, finished my homework then asked mom for permission to go out. I ran down the hall, zig zagging through the shadows on the wall, to my friend’s place to play Duck Hunt. I was eager to beat his high score since he kept bragging about it during school. He played first. Turned on the Nintendo. Duck Hunt title screen popped up, game on! He vigorously moved with the ducks as he took his shot. I sat blanket in hand, patiently waiting. He made it to round 3 before his third miss. Dog laughed, his turn ended. He got up to go to the bathroom and told me to play. The sun was setting, it was beginning to get dark outside. As I grabbed the gun to start, the room light was turned off, I heard a loud door creaking followed by footsteps. Loud thunder. Wolves howling. Music began to build. Then out of the shadows, my friend ran into the room screaming! I jumped in fear, I tried to scream but terror took the sound before I made it. He laughed hysterically as “Cause this is THRILLER, Thriller night…” played in the background.

...till the soul falls

12 x 12

Acrylic on Wood Panel

Study

it was all a dream...

12 x 12

Acrylic on Wood Panel

Study

When Biggie said “It was all a dream…” I used to sketch He-Man and his team. As a kid I dreamt of having my own set of Masters of The Universe toys. My neighbor had a collection we’d play with after school. During the intermission of our play battles, I’d sketch as many of the characters as I could, to later add to my paper cut-out-action-figure set. Crayon Skeletor stood no chance against Color-Pencils He-Man. Precious memories. Now I use vintage toys to set up still life references for a series of paintings based on those childhood memories. Living the dream.

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