Work in Progress
Feeding the Family, 2024, oil on canvas.
Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.
- Gustav Mahler
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This painting depicts my daughter with her great grandmother (my "Abuelita"). On every visit to the United States, my Abuelita would open her suitcase to reveal her homemade sweet empanadas filled with guava and pineapple marmalade. I still remember the deliciously sweet warm scent of those small desserts. To others they may not taste particularly special, but to me and my family nothing can compare to that nostalgic taste made with love. Though my daughter never had the opportunity to meet her great-grandmother, they are connected through the passing down of this tradition of making sweet empanadas. My daughter’s small working hands are lovingly enveloped and guided by her great-grandmother’s own aged and experienced ones to emphasize that when my children create this family recipe, it is as if my Abuelita is baking along with them.
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This painting is the most recent part of an art series that is the focus of my Capstone Project for the Masters program at the University of Florida, to be completed this summer of 2024.
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Preparation - Laying a Burnt Umber ground
I make use of old canvases so as not to waste. I painted over a sketched work with Burnt Umber to lay the groundwork of the painting.
Inspiration through photos
I often use photos when the subject is not quite so patient. I had taken this photo of my daughter for inspiration.
Base Layers
I use a gray hue in the areas where I plan to have flesh. This helps provide a flesh undertone. I sketch out shadows and contours with Burnt Umber, after which I begin painting a base layer of colors.
Mid Work - latest update
Though this may look almost complete, it is not. I have painted the areas in to give me a better idea of where I should go, and have done more detail to faces. However, there is still much to be done with the counter, background, hair, arms and hands, and so on!
