colored pencil on paper

7” x 9”

personal project

in progress

This drawing was made with a set of 12 colored pencils. It shows my grandpa in front of the house where he grew up. I admired my Guelo Beto very much; he was generous, funny, reliable and exceptionally hardworking. He had a do-it-yourself mindset that I try to emulate.

My grandpa was born in a small town in Mexico - Ciénega de Flores. Because he was the oldest of 7, he was expected to contribute financially to the household from a very early age. By the age of 10, he was working full time, he did not even get to finish primary school. At 20, my grandpa moved to the nearest major city in search of a better job to provide for his family. My parents were born and raised in that big city and eventually moved to the United States, hence I was born here.

I am inspired by the sacrifices made by immigrants. I strive to give back to people who do not have the opportunities I was born into.