Dear Conservatives, Trump is Letting my People Die

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.

Mother's Burden

Mother's Burden (dedicated to The Mothers of the Movement), acrylic and ink on canvas
24" x 30", sold.

I wanted to create a piece that honored mothers of color (specifically Black mothers) at this time in history. Much is said about a woman's work never being done, and mothers in particular. Not enough is acknowledged about the burden of Black mothers in the turbulent sociopolitical climate we live in.

Religious imagery served as inspiration, once again. Black Mary gazes upon a black figure, too grown to protect within the safety of her arms. He is both Christ (all seeing) and Black Man (all eyes on him). She wears the crown of thorns, symbolizing burden and inflicted pain. She lactates freely, symbolizing an uncontrollable instinct to nurture. The dove in her hand is a symbol of the peace she must find within to stand strong and unwavering in the face of circumstances beyond her control.

#AllLivesMatter vs. #BlackLivesMatter

That all lives matter is implicit in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Those who continue to add a "MOST" at the end of #BlackLivesMatter are either unable or unwilling to comprehend how dismissive the #AllLivesMatter response is. You would not walk into a Pediatric Cancer benefit holding a sign that says "Adults with Cancer Matter Too!" because you already know they do. So clearly the operative word that people continue to have an issue with is "Black". 
I'm well aware that this image is neither decorative nor easy to view (for many), but it is a sincere artistic expression of my outrage towards the #AllLivesMatter movement which is being used to negate and erase the #BlackLivesMatter movement in the USA. It symbolizes the regression in which we seem headed as a nation to the days of blatant racism as a way of life.

Limited edition of 25 per size.
Each print is signed and numbered by the artist.
Printed on archival Enhanced Matte Fine Art paper.
50% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THESE PRINTS WILL BE DONATED TO #BlackLivesMatter.

Prints available from Latin Pop Shop.

#AllLivesMatter, mixed media on canvas, 16" x 20"
Original available.

Still Want to Keep Silent About Cops Who Hate?

There are, of course, countless police officers who do the right thing. For them I am grateful beyond words. There is also a national epidemic of police murdering black men in this country and that should not go unrecognized. We live in a country where things like Affirmative Action can be deemed "reverse discrimination" but we still cannot tend to this issue of systemic mass murder against men of color.
The following was posted this past evening by Lowell PD Chief Steven Bukala (confirmed by Grand Rapids police department as shown in the images we captured of our interactions). This type of behavior, attitude, belief...whatever you want to call it, SHOULD BE KNOWN.
#BlackLivesMatter

You Might be Racist

You Might be Racist, acrylic and ink on canvas, 16" x 20"

#ExposingStupid: Social Media Inspires Art

UPDATE: Sadly Cory Allen Contemporary has closed and I am currently seeking a new exhibit space for this series of work. Stay tuned!


I am super excited to publicly announce that on the evening of November 12th, 2015 my solo exhibit, #ExposingStupid will open at Cory Allen Contemporary Art. This is a show unlike any that I have had the opportunity to create thus far. As when I prepared to take the stage as a performer many years ago, I find myself today filled with and fueled by nervous energy, inspiration and determination. With making this announcement, I wanted put into words some thoughts on what inspired this particular show.

I love Facebook.
Few things invented in my lifetime seem to have as great an impact in my daily world as social media does. It is a great business tool and personally a lot of fun.  I can’t think of any other way in which so many old friends and I would be in touch today sharing laughs on a nightly basis, regardless of distance or years in between face to face meet ups. 

Facebook also makes me want to rip my face off and feed it to a pack of rabid wolves. Sadly this is an almost daily occurrence too. Blatant racism and homophobia and pious bullies all seem to make their way onto my daily feed. Scrolling through sometimes feels like watching a parade of stupid marching down Facebook Avenue.

I don’t pretend to be good at things I’m not. Keeping my mouth shut and looking the other way, are good examples. The constant barrage of idiocy on social media results in spirited and colorful rants on my part. I am not one to keep chaos inside. Few things enrage me more than the sheer lack of empathy that seems so rampant online. I cannot afford brain tumors or cancer so it is purely an act of holistic health preservation when I have to call someone out on being a racist dickhole or a dumb pompous religious fuckturd. These are not nice words or innovative uses of the English language, I realize. Ugly actions deserve ugly words.

There is so much happening in the world at this very moment. We are witnessing history in the making at such a rapid pace through social media that it can be almost, if not completely overwhelming. With every stride or backward step come downpours and raging winds of opinions, support and opposition. The perfect storm of social discord takes place on our computer, phone and tablet screens every single day. 
I am no stranger to screencaps and not above snapping and tweeting or posting them on my page without the courtesy of name or face blurs when someone crosses a line of bigotry or hate. That is how #exposingstupid was born.  The concepts for the first few paintings for this series came from the desire to put onto canvas (another exercise in self-preservation, perhaps) thoughts and opinions on subjects such as racism, homophobia and religion-induced indignation. To further refine my approach I decided to take on the series with a “Year-in-Review” mentality, reflecting on how quickly change is happening. I hope that the show will not only offer visitors an opportunity to reflect on the themes at hand but a chance to consider putting themselves in the shoes of another and the "what ifs" of life.

While a few of the pieces, some which will be interactive, for this collection will be executed in disciplines outside my wheelhouse (a welcome challenge), I will be painting in my signature Latin Pop style which combines pop and folk art. I am very much looking forward to exploring dark subjects and recent events and triumphs with satire and whimsy and seeing how the public receives the work. 

Hurts so Good, acrylic on canvas, 30" x 40"

A Brief Few Words on the Confederate Flag

Here's a bit of a rant because I have a lot of painting to do and am not getting stuck in a negative head-space. I spent most of my morning in a heated debate with a few people over their desire to fly the confederate flag without consequence or judgment.

When a symbol has been consistently stained with the blood of an oppressed people and tainted by hatred, it is time to retire it. The topic at hand is, of course the confederate flag, but my sentiment is not limited to this filthy rag.
When you choose to attempt to wipe that blood off of it and reclaim that symbol of your heritage (or maybe it just "looks cool") it sends (maybe unintentionally, but real all the same) a message of indifference and self-importance to people who have to carry a very deep and true fear and suffering in their hearts.
So to quote fairy tale book I once read (Alice in Wonderland, I think it was.) "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Don't be an asshole.