Donald Trump doesn't care for people of color (or any minority for that matter). He swindles a vote from those he can and tosses them aside like used Kleenex. This motherfucker is letting my/our people DIE. I'm equally enraged and heartbroken. And twice as disgusted at the fact that he's being allowed to carry on with his racist childish ways. This tide must turn.
I don't have to address Liberals. I know we agree. But to anyone who supported this man because you TRULY believed it was the right thing to do, if there is a shred of humanity in you there can (and must) be no denying what is playing out before our very eyes. I implore you to STAND UP, as you do for your flags and anthems. This is not your leader. I have faith that you must be better than this. Speak out and RESIST. Doing the right thing doesn't make you a traitor to your party, it makes you a respectable American. Please, don't let our people in Puerto Rico die.
Showing posts with label puerto rico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puerto rico. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
Friday, July 8, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
La Vedette de America: Iris Chacon
Long before J-Lo's derriere (or Beyonce's or Kim Kardashian, for that matter) was the thing of many a man's dreams and sent women running to surgeons in search of a larger bumper...La Vedette de America (America's showgirl) hypnotized viewers with her moves and...wears. Iris is a beloved icon of Puerto Rico who pushed the envelope of female sexuality and entertained the masses on her weekly variety show for over a decade. She also appeared in films and numerous telenovelas (soap operas) and toured the world as a showgirl/entertainer headliner.
 |
| Iris Chacon, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24", available |
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
El Velorio de Doña Mary
A "velorio" is a wake. In Puerto Rico (as in many Latin cultures) the body of the deceased is often laid out for viewing at home. Neighbors, friends and family gather to pay their respects or say last goodbyes. There is always food and often music. Crying, singing and laughter are all sounds heard at a velorio.
I remember going to my first one at around 5 years of age. Doña Mary (Mrs./Ms. Mary) lived two houses away from us. She was heavy-set and dark skinned with wiry wild hair. She was loud. Her voice, no matter how sweet her words, always sounded chastising. As a child, I was afraid of her. But my mother was not. My mother befriended Doña Mary and while neighbors steered clear of her she was often at our house. I can close my eyes and imagine myself looking out our front door and seeing the backs of Mom and Mary swinging on porch rocking chairs and chatting away over a strong cup of cafe negro.
Doña Mary's son lived with her. He was greasy and lazy...and abusive. I don't know whether she had other children or where they might have been but one day my mother received a phone call from, of all places, the morgue. Her number had been found as emergency contact in Doña Mary's wallet. She had been struck and dragged by a bus less than a mile from our homes and my mother was called down to identify her body. Not long after, we had to go pick up her belongings (or perhaps someone took up a collection, it was so long ago and I so young) from her place of work. She was a cafeteria lady at an elementary school. Much to my mother's surprise all of Mary's co-workers knew who she and I were when we arrived. She spoke to them about us as if we were her daughter and grandchild.
The imagery in this painting romanticizes her wake just a bit. Her house was drab and there were perhaps less flowers or ceremony. Unshakable, for some reason is the memory of mosquito netting draping over her casket to keep bugs at bay during what was probably a nearly-summer month. Unforgettable also is the fact that at the time Mom was unemployed and we did not have much money so we could not afford flowers from the florist. A Peace Lily plant (given to her by Doña Mary) had just come into bloom. Those were the flowers we took to the wake.
I remember going to my first one at around 5 years of age. Doña Mary (Mrs./Ms. Mary) lived two houses away from us. She was heavy-set and dark skinned with wiry wild hair. She was loud. Her voice, no matter how sweet her words, always sounded chastising. As a child, I was afraid of her. But my mother was not. My mother befriended Doña Mary and while neighbors steered clear of her she was often at our house. I can close my eyes and imagine myself looking out our front door and seeing the backs of Mom and Mary swinging on porch rocking chairs and chatting away over a strong cup of cafe negro.
Doña Mary's son lived with her. He was greasy and lazy...and abusive. I don't know whether she had other children or where they might have been but one day my mother received a phone call from, of all places, the morgue. Her number had been found as emergency contact in Doña Mary's wallet. She had been struck and dragged by a bus less than a mile from our homes and my mother was called down to identify her body. Not long after, we had to go pick up her belongings (or perhaps someone took up a collection, it was so long ago and I so young) from her place of work. She was a cafeteria lady at an elementary school. Much to my mother's surprise all of Mary's co-workers knew who she and I were when we arrived. She spoke to them about us as if we were her daughter and grandchild.
The imagery in this painting romanticizes her wake just a bit. Her house was drab and there were perhaps less flowers or ceremony. Unshakable, for some reason is the memory of mosquito netting draping over her casket to keep bugs at bay during what was probably a nearly-summer month. Unforgettable also is the fact that at the time Mom was unemployed and we did not have much money so we could not afford flowers from the florist. A Peace Lily plant (given to her by Doña Mary) had just come into bloom. Those were the flowers we took to the wake.
 |
| El Velorio de Dona Mary, acrylic and ink on canvas, 30" x 40". available |
Monday, November 16, 2015
When Your Kids Write Home (Sorta)
It's always a a pleasure for me to hear from someone who purchased one of my pieces, for whatever reason. It is especially thrilling when you were not present and had no idea of the work's final destination. Even more so, when their adoptive mom or dad is writing you to provide them with a sister.
Hi John,
I hope this email finds you well.
About 7 years ago I purchased the painting below in a shop in Rincon, Puerto Rico. I would like something to compliment this painting since they will be hung side by side. It does however need to be the same size. This one is 12x19.
Please let me know if you can paint something for me in the size specified and kindly quote me a price. I like the “Believer” (too big) you have posted on Esty or perhaps something similar with different flowers and different hair color. I trust your judgment and I love these colors…brights work well.
Also, my cousin lives in Tampa and is willing to pick it up for me from St. Pete thus I wouldn't need shipping costs to get it to Miami since she will be here for the holidays.
I await your reply and thank you so much.
L.
 |
| Red with Callas, acrylic on canvas, 12" x 19" |
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Latin Pop Shop Mobile Gallery
It has been my dream for a long long time to open an artful establishment that brings affordable art to the public. My dream of opening Latin Pop Shop as an art "retail" space that also gives back to its community has been put on hold in years past due to lack of start up funds and many personal changes and growth. I am now settled in my dream community and am ready to take my dream to the next level.
While today might not be the day to launch Latin Pop Shop as a brick and mortar, I can bring it to the public as a mobile gallery. Saint Petersburg is not only an arts destination, it is abundant with outdoor markets and festivals. Why not continue to work from my home studio and run Latin Pop Shop at various locations? I have already been accepted to one ongoing market and more applications have been submitted. I will soon be able to have regular "store hours" at various locations.
I believe in giving back to the community and I do so through my art in a variety of ways. I donate works to various charitable organizations and have collaborately created art installations that raised funds for and helped feed the needy, but my favorite contribution to the community comes in the form of hands-on volunteer workshops that help unlock creativity in children for whom art and art-making might not be accessible as well as children with special needs, such as autism. I also enjoy painting in public spaces to engage with the community. I have recently applied to a program that creates public works of art for all to enjoy and be inspired and uplifted by.
So while this might be a bit long-winded, it might give you an idea of who I am and what my artistic and personal goals and dreams are. I'm a simple guy, who loves to create and help others through creativity. I of course have to sell my work in order to keep my goals on track and have the means to donate my time and art to the community.
I am ready to take that next step by bringing Latin Pop Shop to the public. I am almost there! With your help I can make this goal a reality.
All funds raised will be used SOLELY in the obtaining of items I still need to launch such as: a festival tent with walls, grid walls from which to hang the art, display racks to hold cards and small paintings, a medium print bin, lighting for evening art walks, business banner... I have already acquired the rest of items such as tables, easels, and other retail incidentals.
Now, let me tell you about some art goodies I would like to thank those who support my efforts with. Each and every donation, small or big is greatly appreciated. The listed donation amounts will receive the following:
$10 -$24 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet.
$25-$49 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet and a 5" x 7" linocut block print.
$50-$99 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" linocut block print and a 5" x 7" painting.
$100-$199 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 8" x 10" painting.
$200-$299 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 11" x 14" painting.
$300-$499 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 16" x 20" painting.
$500 or more donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 18" x 24" CUSTOM painting (you pick the theme and colors!)
All items are original one of a kind, signed (and numbered, if applicable). If you wish to support my efforts please do so by donating through this page:
http://www.gofundme.com/latinpopshop
Thank you and remember
ART IS FOR EVERYBODY!
John
I believe in giving back to the community and I do so through my art in a variety of ways. I donate works to various charitable organizations and have collaborately created art installations that raised funds for and helped feed the needy, but my favorite contribution to the community comes in the form of hands-on volunteer workshops that help unlock creativity in children for whom art and art-making might not be accessible as well as children with special needs, such as autism. I also enjoy painting in public spaces to engage with the community. I have recently applied to a program that creates public works of art for all to enjoy and be inspired and uplifted by.
So while this might be a bit long-winded, it might give you an idea of who I am and what my artistic and personal goals and dreams are. I'm a simple guy, who loves to create and help others through creativity. I of course have to sell my work in order to keep my goals on track and have the means to donate my time and art to the community.
I am ready to take that next step by bringing Latin Pop Shop to the public. I am almost there! With your help I can make this goal a reality.
All funds raised will be used SOLELY in the obtaining of items I still need to launch such as: a festival tent with walls, grid walls from which to hang the art, display racks to hold cards and small paintings, a medium print bin, lighting for evening art walks, business banner... I have already acquired the rest of items such as tables, easels, and other retail incidentals.
Now, let me tell you about some art goodies I would like to thank those who support my efforts with. Each and every donation, small or big is greatly appreciated. The listed donation amounts will receive the following:
$10 -$24 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet.
$25-$49 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet and a 5" x 7" linocut block print.
$50-$99 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" linocut block print and a 5" x 7" painting.
$100-$199 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 8" x 10" painting.
$200-$299 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 11" x 14" painting.
$300-$499 donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 16" x 20" painting.
$500 or more donation- Original mini abstract art magnet, a 5" x 7" original linocut block print and an original 18" x 24" CUSTOM painting (you pick the theme and colors!)
All items are original one of a kind, signed (and numbered, if applicable). If you wish to support my efforts please do so by donating through this page:
http://www.gofundme.com/latinpopshop
Thank you and remember
ART IS FOR EVERYBODY!
John
Monday, March 2, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
Monday, February 2, 2015
Santera
Here is the first painting of the new year (and the first completed in my new studio).
While painting this I had a dream that I was painting a series of works based on Tarot card imagery. Perhaps that is a sign of what's to come...stay tuned.
This painting is available from Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.
While painting this I had a dream that I was painting a series of works based on Tarot card imagery. Perhaps that is a sign of what's to come...stay tuned.
This painting is available from Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.
 |
| Santera, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 30" |
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Mangos
 |
| Mangos, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 24" |
Monday, January 6, 2014
Friday, September 27, 2013
En La Cocina Print Now Available
Measuring 48" x 60", En la Cocina is one of my largest pieces. It is also one of my favorites, depicting my childhood home and the three pivotal women in my life. While many have shared my enthusiasm for this painting, not everyone has the available space or budget for the original. If you love this painting, you can now own a limited edition giclee print. It is available in 4 sizes in prices ranging from $55 to $195. Get yours from Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Pelea de Gallos
 |
| Pelea de Gallos, acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40" |
Available from my studio or Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Sol/Sun Linocut
In the interest of keeping original art accessible (the Art Monkeys' art mission) I have created a wide range of price points for my upcoming "Ritmos" exhibit.
The show includes one-of-a-kind artworks ranging from just $15 to $2,000.
Art is for everyone!
Sol/Sun
ink on paper
5" x 7"
Available from my studio or Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.
The show includes one-of-a-kind artworks ranging from just $15 to $2,000.
Art is for everyone!
Sol/Sun
ink on paper
5" x 7"
Available from my studio or Latin Pop Shop on Etsy.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
