We are all born into this world with a history. What I do with my history and my present find ways to address my experience in it.  By examining deeper I realized that painting as a child and being “skilled” at it gave me praise and validation. Being relocated at a young age from Puerto Rico to Florida evoked a new sense of self-exploration and need to find connections. My new language, loved by all, became the tactility of paint and the possibilities of color that produced an image of both physical and emotional experiences. There is an importance to sustain the tactile response to the human body as we move further into the age of new technologies.  Trying to figure out who we are and what we are about is a distinctly human pursuit for almost everyone, whether you are trying to find greater consciousness or simply fitting in.  Even while living in the digital age I choose to communicate through portraiture; combining current trends and old traditions in art. 

As I noticed my own participation of self representation on social media, I looked at the selfie trend and the way people have become engaged in exploiting their experiences and modify identity.  The “selfie,” is a self-portrait taken via android phone and instantly shared in social media. Turning to twitter I search for fellow Latinos and followed conversations around similarly lived experiences felt by Latinos.  My concerns, my experiences, likes and dislikes are also lived by others. I quickly learned that social media was more than just keeping in touch with friends, it is a platform to give voices and make connections.  Although it may be accessible to the masses, I wondered of its permanence.  In my opinion we need to slow down in order to be more empathetic to each other.