About the Artist

I'm an artist living in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I grew up in a large Mexican family where we all revolved around my Abuelita Carlota "just call me Charlie" and her giant wood-burning stove on the back patio. The delicious aroma of her homemade tortillas always filled the air. What I remember most next to her kindness was her love affair with color. Her living room of deep red carpet, electric blue sofas, garish green lanterns and bright orange recliners is still vibrant in my mind. Her hand-sewn dresses were almost always black with brightly colored flowers and designs. These same colors are the base of my own artwork.

All of my paintings are done on wood and many of them on recycled or found wood pieces. I like the unpredictable affect of textures, the holes and knots that appear in the background of my paintings somehow make them more unique.

El Dia de Los Muertos is a theme that I often use in my art. The Day of the Dead is an ancient celebration that has a universal theme, To Remember. My muertos characters are always laughing. They have returned back to earth for a brief time to be with their loved ones. They put on fancy clothes. They love and they laugh. They often come back with their beloved pets to share the world with the living, if only for a few days.

All the themes used in my art are subjects that I genuinely enjoy. The passion and inspiration of La Virgen de Guadalupe. The celebration that defies death by laughing and celebrating the joy of living in El Dia de Los Muertos. The strength of Frida Kahlo who dared to live a life that often left her alone. These are things that inspire me to continue creating.