Painting

I was born in Piura, Peru. At the age of 18 I moved to the United States to go to College. In 1970 I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of San Francisco. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting in 1992 and a Master of Fine Art degree in 1998, both from San Jose State University.

My work is autobiographical and an expression of my childhood memories. When I paint I journey deep into my unconscious. I recall images from my dreams which trigger memories of my childhood in Peru. These familiar images and symbols come back to me through my artistic exploration of death, religion, race and identity. My images are a reminder of my past and my connection to my culture.

I am interested in the application of paint, in the way the images feel. I want to paint a space that is spiritual but also physical and tactile. I long ago stopped using brushes and now I paint with my hands. I like feeling the paint, scratching the canvas and recording my marks. I want the viewer to touch the paint with their eyes.