Let me tell you a bit about my native roots: 
The Tarasco tribe was known for its great warriors.  So fierce were they, that even the powerful Aztecas could not or would not conquer or demand tribute from them.   Also, they were among the last of the Mexican tribes to fall under the yoke of the conquista. 

I have a great admiration for those people of the early days of the conquista who were motivated, with the help of the missionary Vasco de Quiroga and the beautiful porcelain figures brought from Spain, to make wonderfully inspired statues of their own.  An interesting example of these early colonial images is La Virgen de Salud (The Virgin of Health) which is in the cathedral of Patzcuaro.  La Virgin was made about 400 years ago and later covered over with gesso to preserve it's heart of corn husks and corn paste.   For me, this figure has been an important source of inspiration.  I visualize her often while I am working.

 I still have plenty of time for my other passion, painting.  Nowadays, I use oil though for some of my older work, I made  my own egg tempera using natural mineral pigments.  The colors are deep, soft, and, glowing.  

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