Holding it Down: Mi Padre en la Pizca, 2025

9" x 12" 

Gouache and soft pastel on tinted paper

"My father immigrated to the United States from Mexico as an undocumented teenager. He found seasonal work picking fruit. This painting is based on a photograph of my father working in a fruit orchard in Northern California during the early 1990s. In the image, he is holding a tripod orchard ladder, which symbolizes his steady support for our family despite the tough working conditions. This image also represents his resilience in overcoming the many challenges he faced to make a living and support his family."