archival pigment print on cradled wood panel 30" x 40" x 2" $1,825.00 USD Available
Two years ago, a dear friend of mine invited me to México to visit her family and do a little sightseeing. I had only been to México once before. I was on my way west to visit some National Parks and was passing through El Paso. I was so close to México that I decided to stop, park my rental car and walk across the border to eat lunch and explore a little. I had an incredibly delicious meal in Ciudad Juárez and walked down a few streets visiting various shops for about an hour. And that was it. I really hadn’t experience México.
This second visit with my friend was incredible. Her family welcomed me like a long lost relative. Over 11 days I saw ancient Toltec, Zapotec, Mixatec ruins, bathed in waterfalls, hiked in Las Pozas a hidden magical city in the subtropical rainforest of the Sierra Gorda mountains. I ate the best avocados of my life, fell in love with Oaxacan hot chocolate, saw many varieties of cactuses and enjoyed devouring their delicious leaves, known as Nopales. And I celebrated Méxican Independence Day. I danced and dined at a fiesta known as a Quinceañera for one of her nieces. The entire time, I felt so much joy and love from her family.
Wandering around with my iPhone, I visited colorful markets, a street festival with drummers and dancers in colorful costumes with giant paper mache heads. Everywhere, I felt the spirit of so many warm wonderful people from a mix of Spanish and Indigenous cultures. We drove through six of the 32, Estados Unidos de México. The United States of México. Despite all this travel, I have only scratched the surface of this beautiful country and I look forward to returning.
Méxican culture is a huge part of American culture. As of 2023, 11.3% of the US population, nearly 50 million people are of Mexican descent. But like any group of people, they are not just numbers. They have rich histories, stories of sorrow and triumph, of overcoming incredible obstacles to forge a better life for themselves and their families. They helped build this country. They are helping to build it now and they will continue to help build it. They are family.
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Artwork is signed by the artist in a limited edition of 2.
Two years ago, a dear friend of mine invited me to México to visit her family and do a little sightseeing. I had only been to México once before. I was on my way west to visit some National Parks and was passing through El Paso. I was so close to México that I decided to stop, park my rental car and walk across the border to eat lunch and explore a little. I had an incredibly delicious meal in Ciudad Juárez and walked down a few streets visiting various shops for about an hour. And that was it. I really hadn’t experience México.
This second visit with my friend was incredible. Her family welcomed me like a long lost relative. Over 11 days I saw ancient Toltec, Zapotec, Mixatec ruins, bathed in waterfalls, hiked in Las Pozas a hidden magical city in the subtropical rainforest of the Sierra Gorda mountains. I ate the best avocados of my life, fell in love with Oaxacan hot chocolate, saw many varieties of cactuses and enjoyed devouring their delicious leaves, known as Nopales. And I celebrated Méxican Independence Day. I danced and dined at a fiesta known as a Quinceañera for one of her nieces. The entire time, I felt so much joy and love from her family.
Wandering around with my iPhone, I visited colorful markets, a street festival with drummers and dancers in colorful costumes with giant paper mache heads. Everywhere, I felt the spirit of so many warm wonderful people from a mix of Spanish and Indigenous cultures. We drove through six of the 32, Estados Unidos de México. The United States of México. Despite all this travel, I have only scratched the surface of this beautiful country and I look forward to returning.
Méxican culture is a huge part of American culture. As of 2023, 11.3% of the US population, nearly 50 million people are of Mexican descent. But like any group of people, they are not just numbers. They have rich histories, stories of sorrow and triumph, of overcoming incredible obstacles to forge a better life for themselves and their families. They helped build this country. They are helping to build it now and they will continue to help build it. They are family.
_________________________________________
Artwork is signed by the artist in a limited edition of 2.