Friends,
It’s summertime. The past week has been sweltering hot in most of California. While vacationing in 115 degree weather in Paso Robles, I thought it would be timely to announce something truly refreshing. Alma Collections is pleased to announce a summer sale of artwork at 25% off. This is the first time we are offering this until July 31.
“The greatest tragedy in life is to spend your whole life fishing only to discover it was never fish you were after”
- Henry David Thoreau
“Waterboy” (Ibiza) 2021. 23.62 x 22.05 in, Collage on Photographic Paper framed
One thing I appreciate about Eskalante is that he is a deep thinker. Existential conversations are my favorite kind and it’s been a privilege to spend many evenings engaged in conversation with him in local hole in the wall mezcalerias throughout Mexico City. In his collage on photographic paper series, you can get a strong sense of his fierce belief in self realization and being free in one’s life. It shines through in “Waterboy”.
At first glace, I saw it as a “pretty” image taken in paradisiacal Ibiza. My brain categorized “Waterboy” apart from his grittier collages of Cuba. However, Eskalante accompanies all of his collage series with a quote, as a gentle prod to take a deeper look into his work. What fascinates me, and what I saw at second glance, is the duality and depth in the beauty of the piece.
The machinery of achievement, finding one’s path in life, making something of one’s self can be as gripping as it can be terrifying, in this modern world. Viewing “Water Boy” in the vein of Thoreau, about the tragedy of “spending your life fishing only to discover it was never fish you were after” flips the switch on the facade of the beautiful swimmer in “Waterboy”, now a fallacy. And yet, freedom IS very much present. Here is this swimmer undeterred by the weight of gravity and the world. He enjoys the freedom of total release.
Now, when I observe “Water Boy” I view it as a teasing prompt for inner reflection. Isn’t that the entire point of art?
“Abril “(April) 2023, 45X 35 in, high quality digital print on 180 gr cotton paper, framed
Paula’s art is as striking as it is profound. When I first met Paula, I assumed her pieces were textile when they are in fact mixed media, created in one sitting and very limited edition.
She sees this as a dialogue between pain and life, re-affirming her desire to create after a deep grieving process that left her with the need to understand death as an inextricable part of life. I started working with Paula as I was deeply moved by her ability to successfully express beauty and pain in a way that portrays the game of life- yin and yang, shadow and light. You don’t need to hear the source behind the artwork to appreciate it. And yet, the depth of the piece only serves to enhance the powerful colors and nature of “Abril”.
I am looking forward to seeing what else she creates in this new period of her life.
Un Minuto de Nueva York (One Minute in New York) 2023. 23X35in printed on Canson Photo Luster Premium RC 310 gsm. Framed. (DM me for photo of framed piece.
Marisol Cid is a self taught photographer who moved from a small village outside of Veracruz to Mexico City about ten years ago. Her work is currently on display at the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City.
Her first trip to New York last year was significant both personally and professionally. She was commissioned by art collectors for portrait shots. Given that Marisol’s only other experience stepping foot in the US was in impoverished border towns in Texas, experiencing the vitality of the Big Apple was eye opening for her. In between her commissions, she spent her time roaming the streets of New York. At first she was frightened for her own safety as a woman alone in New York, then for her camera, and also how people would react if she photographed them. The results are fantastic.
“Un minuto en Nueva York” feels like a retro photograph that could have easily been taken circa 1970. There is an energy and excitement, especially in this large format that makes it s-t-r-i-k-i-n-g. It captures well the spirit of New York- bold, iconoclastic, and anything goes attitude (that I sorely miss). There is a graininess that is synonymous with the artist’s photographs that captivates me and makes me look closer. Like all Alma Collections artwork, this is a piece that speaks to me differently everyday I look at it.
This is part of a limited series from her New York trip, with the first prints currently only available with Alma Collections.
For more of her artwork check out artsy and DM me directly for a 25% discount.
Also! I’ve uploaded a couple of new videos on our website - check out the About section. Alma Collections is evolving and I wanted to share more about our mission and community of incredible artists.
I’m both humbled and excited about what’s next for Alma Collections in the next months. Sending love and more love!
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