Medium: Watercolor on paper

Date: 1984

Puerto Rico: A Watercolor Reflection

The first day I stepped onto the vibrant soil of Puerto Rico, I was captivated. There was an energy in the air, a rhythm to life that I hadn't felt before—an undercurrent of excitement and a rich tapestry of culture that enveloped me. It was this pulse of life, this colorful blend of tradition and nature, that moved my hand across the canvas, giving birth to a watercolor painting I would simply call "Puerto Rico."

As I brushed the first stroke of color onto the canvas, I felt the warmth of the island sun. With each hue that followed, I found myself translating the essence of Puerto Rico onto paper. The monsters in my painting, each with a set of stark white teeth, began to represent more than just imaginative creatures; they became a lively homage to the myths and folklore that the island whispered to me through its winds.

The orange in my work recalls the fiery Puerto Rican sunsets that I watched in awe, their beauty a canvas in itself. The blues are the whispers of the Caribbean Sea, calm and soothing, yet full of depth and mysteries untold. The greens are drawn from the lifeblood of the island's flora, the vibrant heart of Puerto Rico's natural wonders.

In the watercolor's fluidity, I found a kindred spirit to the island's own—just as the colors on my canvas flowed and mingled, so did the rhythms of salsa in the streets, the blending of cultures, and the fusion of flavors in every dish that delighted my taste buds. My painting became a dance of color, echoing the vibrant steps taken on cobblestone streets, under the glow of aged streetlamps.

This piece is more than a painting; it's a sensory journey. It encapsulates my first day in Puerto Rico—the taste of the rich cuisine, the nightly serenade by the coqui frogs, the colorful display of colonial architecture, and the embrace of a culture that is as inviting as the island's gentle seas.

Naming my painting "Puerto Rico" was a tribute in itself. It wasn't just a geographical marker but a narrative of my encounter with the island's indomitable spirit. Like the uncontainable nature of watercolors, Puerto Rico's culture cannot be confined. It resists, flows, and soars beyond the canvas of expectations.

And now, as this painting finds its place, it stands as a vivid reminder of that first day—a day that has etched itself into my memory, vibrant and alive, a lasting emblem of an island that dances to its own beautiful rhythm.

Walking through the streets of Puerto Rico, I found inspiration in the faces of the people. Their smiles, as warm as the Caribbean sun, seemed to cast a spell of joy over the island. These encounters, these snapshots of daily life, imbued my painting with a deeper layer of connection. The creatures in my art, while fantastical, began to embody the spirit of resilience and joy I saw in every individual I met. Each stroke became a wordless conversation, a shared moment of humanity that transcended language.

There was also music, a constant companion that followed me through plazas and beaches, old fortresses, and bustling markets. The sounds of Puerto Rico—guitars, drums, and the ever-present salsa rhythms—infused my painting with a musical score of its own. As I painted, I realized that the undulating lines and the crescendos of colors were harmonizing with the island's melody. My artwork became an echo of Puerto Rico's soundtrack, a visual representation of its symphony of sounds that resonates with anyone who has ever heard its call.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the colors of the sky melted into one another, creating a watercolor masterpiece that no brush could hope to capture fully. Yet, it was this very sunset that I attempted to bottle on my canvas. The fading light brought a calm to the island and to my work, ushering in the cool blues and purples of twilight. This natural transition from day to night reminded me of the constant evolution of art and experience, a reminder that both are never truly complete but continue to grow and change with each passing moment.

With every new day in Puerto Rico, my painting evolved, as did I. The island taught me that art is not just a process of creation but a journey of discovery. With "Puerto Rico" as my guide, I explored the hidden alleys of creativity, found joy in unexpected corners, and learned that every splash of color, whether on canvas or in life, tells a part of a story that is always unfolding.

This painting, a witness to my first day in Puerto Rico, now hangs as a narrative tapestry of the island's life. It stands as a testament to the boundless creativity that travels with us, long after we've left the shores that inspired it. It's a conversation piece, a visual diary entry, and above all, a celebration of the place that, even if for a moment, I called home.

In the end, my watercolor painting titled "Puerto Rico" has become more than a static image—it is a living memory. It is my homage to the island, a heartfelt 'thank you' captured in the language of watercolors. For it was in Puerto Rico that I rediscovered the power of art to immortalize the fleeting moments that define the beauty of our existence.