The Unseen
Aztec Warrior
Aztec Warrior, oil on wood, 48"x 36"x 3", 2010
I watched a man working in my yard, with his blower pack strapped to his back. The extremely loud sound and his bold appearance intrigued my creative muse. I imagined what he would have looked like to his courageous ancestors of long ago, with this odd, weapon-like, noisy object protruding from his hand, blowing everything aside with its great power, still fulfilling the promise of a warrior.
I watched a man working in my yard, with his blower pack strapped to his back. The extremely loud sound and his bold appearance intrigued my creative muse. I imagined what he would have looked like to his courageous ancestors of long ago, with this odd, weapon-like, noisy object protruding from his hand, blowing everything aside with its great power, still fulfilling the promise of a warrior.
Room Service
Room Service, oil on wood, 36"x 48"x 3", 2012
In an exclusive hotel, she creates a serene environment for the next reservation. She works long, under-paid hours, hidden from most visitors, yet she is so much a part of their comfortable, luxurious experience.
In an exclusive hotel, she creates a serene environment for the next reservation. She works long, under-paid hours, hidden from most visitors, yet she is so much a part of their comfortable, luxurious experience.
110 In The Shade
110 In The Shade, oil on wood, 32"x 48"x 3", 2012
I looked beyond the counter in a local dry cleaner to see a couple of ladies working in the back. The doors were open, but the heat was still unbearable. I envisioned a woman standing for hours while she sorted, pressed and hung clothing. Her feet and back ache, and she is thoroughly dehydrated. She barely makes enough income to feed her family.
I looked beyond the counter in a local dry cleaner to see a couple of ladies working in the back. The doors were open, but the heat was still unbearable. I envisioned a woman standing for hours while she sorted, pressed and hung clothing. Her feet and back ache, and she is thoroughly dehydrated. She barely makes enough income to feed her family.
Landscapers
Landscapers, oil on wood, 24"x 30"x 2", 2012
There is an endless number of men and women who perform this type of heavy work, again with long hours and very low wages. I see them diligently beautifying some yard or public property. I think of how tiring this kind of work is... bags of soil, rocks, plants and debris, sometimes moving a truckload of material to be placed in such a specific way.
There is an endless number of men and women who perform this type of heavy work, again with long hours and very low wages. I see them diligently beautifying some yard or public property. I think of how tiring this kind of work is... bags of soil, rocks, plants and debris, sometimes moving a truckload of material to be placed in such a specific way.
Painters
Painters, oil on wood, 48"x 24"x 2", 2012
As I walked past the building, the sidewalk radiated heat like a cook top. Two men were busy painting, and I wondered how long would I be able to stand in this intense mugginess, the sun pounding down on my body. Were they hired from some street corner or parking lot, where many wait for the chance to earn some money? Or do they do this everyday? Either way, the work is sure to be hard labor.
As I walked past the building, the sidewalk radiated heat like a cook top. Two men were busy painting, and I wondered how long would I be able to stand in this intense mugginess, the sun pounding down on my body. Were they hired from some street corner or parking lot, where many wait for the chance to earn some money? Or do they do this everyday? Either way, the work is sure to be hard labor.
Tomatoes For Your Garden Salad
Tomatoes For Your Garden Salad, oil on wood, 36"x 48"x 3", 2012
He preforms back-breaking work for at least 60 to 80 hours a week, from the first light of day till sundown. Exposed to toxic chemicals, intense heat, thirst, brief sleep and scant meals, there is little or no pay. He shares a trailer with 10 other men and no place to shower - a garden hose out back, their only source of water. He is the typical farm worker in America today.
He preforms back-breaking work for at least 60 to 80 hours a week, from the first light of day till sundown. Exposed to toxic chemicals, intense heat, thirst, brief sleep and scant meals, there is little or no pay. He shares a trailer with 10 other men and no place to shower - a garden hose out back, their only source of water. He is the typical farm worker in America today.
Red Hoodie
Red Hoodie, oil on wood, 24"x 45"x 2", 2012
I would pass this parking lot nearly everyday, as it was close to my home. On a cold winter day, they waited for the chance to be hired for a few hours or the day... anything to earn some money to live. I felt their anxious need, their awkward stillness, their desperate hope.
I would pass this parking lot nearly everyday, as it was close to my home. On a cold winter day, they waited for the chance to be hired for a few hours or the day... anything to earn some money to live. I felt their anxious need, their awkward stillness, their desperate hope.
In The Kitchen
In The Kitchen, oil on wood, 36"x 48"x 3", 2011
Glance into nearly any restaurant kitchen and you will see the face of Indigenous, South American heritage. The restaurant industry depends on this cheap labor, be it right or wrong, it is a truth. The kitchen gets very hot, and the work is stressful and labor intensive, but in the years I had worked in the restaurant industry, I never heard these people complain.
Glance into nearly any restaurant kitchen and you will see the face of Indigenous, South American heritage. The restaurant industry depends on this cheap labor, be it right or wrong, it is a truth. The kitchen gets very hot, and the work is stressful and labor intensive, but in the years I had worked in the restaurant industry, I never heard these people complain.
Twin Girls In The Desert
Twin Girls In The Desert, oil on wood, 30"x 48"x 3", 2011
I read a story about two young Mexican girls, twin sisters, who were found by Border Patrol, roaming around in the desert near the border. A man appeared, calling himself their uncle, but it seems that this was questionable. The story eluded that the girls were being trafficked into the States – possibly the sex trade. I wanted to convey their loving bond and their forlorn uncertainty.
I read a story about two young Mexican girls, twin sisters, who were found by Border Patrol, roaming around in the desert near the border. A man appeared, calling himself their uncle, but it seems that this was questionable. The story eluded that the girls were being trafficked into the States – possibly the sex trade. I wanted to convey their loving bond and their forlorn uncertainty.
Daydreaming
Dreaming, oil on wood, 48"x 24"x 2", 2011
I have passed them in large, sterile office buildings in the city. I have barely noticed as I was hurrying to my destination. She is going through the motions to accomplish her task, dreaming of a different life.
I have passed them in large, sterile office buildings in the city. I have barely noticed as I was hurrying to my destination. She is going through the motions to accomplish her task, dreaming of a different life.
Busboy
Busboy, oil on wood, 36"x 48"x 3", 2010
Having lunch with a friend, I noticed a hard-working busboy, his broken English hardly evident, always smiling, taking great care to help customers, who seemed to barely notice his face. She and I had our conversation, but my on-going distraction by his presence lead to this eventual painting, and his imagined story.
Having lunch with a friend, I noticed a hard-working busboy, his broken English hardly evident, always smiling, taking great care to help customers, who seemed to barely notice his face. She and I had our conversation, but my on-going distraction by his presence lead to this eventual painting, and his imagined story.
A Wise Man Anywhere
A Wise Man Anywhere, oil on wood, 18"x 28"x 2", 2010
I read an interview with a man who was working in a car wash here in the states. The journalist heard he was a shaman, and wanted to talk with him. The man, Dario, was happy to speak. The journalist asked him many things, but finally questioned Dario regarding his calling, asking him if he thought he was needed back in his village where he was able to help his people. Dario calmly answered, " I can be a wise man anywhere". I felt so humbled by his statement, and so assured that he was right.
I read an interview with a man who was working in a car wash here in the states. The journalist heard he was a shaman, and wanted to talk with him. The man, Dario, was happy to speak. The journalist asked him many things, but finally questioned Dario regarding his calling, asking him if he thought he was needed back in his village where he was able to help his people. Dario calmly answered, " I can be a wise man anywhere". I felt so humbled by his statement, and so assured that he was right.