Frijol Pinto, 2026
They Drift
Portland, OR
Oil paint on cold-pressed paper
18 × 24 inches
@theydrift

Based on a photograph I took during my first visit to Ciudad Morelos in 20 years, this painting captures a moment of reconnection with my family’s past. Returning to my grandmother’s hometown with my mom, I was drawn to a newly opened mercado, its vibrant colors and mix of typefaces coexisting across the facade. Picking up a bottle of Coke brought me full circle to childhood memories of trading empty glass bottles for discounts on a fresh one. What began as an ordinary errand became a connection between the visual landscape of today and the memories that have stayed with me.