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Story #1
Tako Surf
This drawing came about while looking at a brochure about
Japanese art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
I saw the picture of a wave and I thought it was interesting
because the subject was the actual wave. I remember on one of my
trips to Virginia Beach I took a picture of Takeo on top of a
sculpture of a surfboard made of cement where kids can hop on
and pretend that they are surfing.
Because of the wave in the actual picture going from left to right,
I had to invert the position of the wave from right to left to make it
it with Takeo on the surfboard and also scale it accordingly.
The woodblock print of The Great Wave off Kanagawa was made
by artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1829. I thought it as a good
contrast of the past and present with Takeo representing the
present since he was born in 2010.
Takeo has never been to Japan or surfed a wave but it’s one of my
dreams to visit Tokyo with Takeo some day.
Story #2
Takeo playing with his cousins Ironman Car
While in Virginia for a short visit with Enzo and Ian,
Takeo enjoyed playing in their room full of toys!
They were constantly running around with plastic
swords and shields. Even a plastic bowl worked as a helmet!
In this drawing, I used a screen shot of the Plants vs. Zombies
video game as the background.
Story #3
Optical illusion
On a sunny day in New York City, baby Takeo doesn't
want to be in the stroller. He wants to walk on his own.
I started thinking about a person's shadow, imagining
it was an optical illusion. I guess when you are a kid it
seems like you know where you are going.
I drew the pavement resembling a chessboard. This one
makes you think that the black and white squares are
different in size and they seem to be moving and shifting.
But if you take a ruler and measure each square, you are
going to realize that each square is the same size.
So, there shouldn't be any movement but your brain tells
you that the image is moving. In this case the metaphor tries
to tell you that the world has many uncertainties and the
ground could be dangerous at times and to always be cautious
in your life.
Story #4
Double Alex
Why should I be here when I could be somewhere else.
Stay away from the moment.
Lose yourself inside a TV screen.
Inside a software program.
Mickey makes more sense than my uncle ever will.
Everything is nothing while you are clicking away
on a smart phone.
Story #5
Takeo sitting on the floor
Life is a software
and we are running out of memory
Life is a software
and we are running out of memory
Life is a software
and we are running out of memory
It's the idea of a computer
repeating this message in an endless loop.
Story #6
Upside down
This is the idea of separation
of a kid growing up without his father
Longing
Sadness
Confusion
Living in two different cities
Learning two different languages
Hopefully, in the future, we can all live together
and share our experiences with one another
Story #7
Alex playing the maraca
Alex’s mother asks him,
Do you like this music?
Yes, Mommy.
Alex’s Father asks him,
Are you having a good time Buddy?
Yes, Daddy.
Show Grandma your dance moves.
One step forward.
One step back.
Now move your arms and hips.
Oh my goodness! You are such a good dancer, Alex!
Thank you, Abuelita.
Story #8
Something in Takeo’s hand
Takeo was holding something in his hand.
It didn't make much sense so I turned it into
a long wire which could be carrying electricity
or maybe information data.
The idea for this drawing is that he is emanating
light or an electromagnetic field.
Story #9
The Red M&M
The Red M&M used to be Blue.
Now he is the color of blood.
While visiting the M&M store in the Times Square
area of New York City, a lady took a picture of us.
She is a staff member of the store.
It was your last day in New York, Takeo.
Today we make that painful drive to JFK.
Tomorrow begins the days when distance takes its toll.
When we grow apart for awhile until your next visit.
I will imagine what you’ll be doing in a city far away.
Story #10
Olivia in the sky with baby bottle
This is the story of Takeo’s cousin, baby Olivia,
drinking her milk while she is sitting
in her walker in the living room.
Sometimes you are quiet.
Sometimes you scream.
Mommy and Daddy love you very much.
I captured this image when I said:
Hello Olivia. How are you?
You looked up and in that split second I snapped the picture.
While working on this drawing, I started from the top drawing a
yellow downward spiral which are like steps in the sky where you
are coming out of heaven.
Story #11
The stuffed M&M Cop
While in Times Square, New York City,
on another visit, we went to the M&M store again
where Takeo found a stuffed cop.
Look at this daddy.
That's awesome,Takeo.
Do you think we should get it for your mommy?
Yes! Let's buy it for her. She is going to love it!
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