Tacos and fruit are my favorite types of street vendor. Nothing like the experience of eating an amazing taco or delicious ripe fruit on a hot evening in Los Angeles. However, the main reason I love seeing the brightly colored umbrella of the “Puesto de Frutas,” it symbolizes the realization of a dream.
The man or woman slicing that mango has been successful on a very difficult journey. Daily, these vendors contend with heat, rain, wind, biting cold, haters, business owners that feel threatened by their presence, law enforcement always looking to hassle them, it makes for very long days. However, by taking small steps daily, they thrive.
“Reach for the moon even if you fall short you’ll land among the stars” a common theme used to encourage the following of dreams. I find this statement to be overwhelming and paralyzing. The small manageable steps taken by a street vendor, wake-up, take a shower, get dressed, make your bed, get to work, prep the food, work hard, clean the cart, save your money, is how you become successful.
Not that you shouldn't have big dreams, but street vendors are a common theme in my work because they inspire me and prove everyday that by taking small positive steps you can achieve your goals.
Growing up in both Mexico and the United States, as a child I felt like I didn’t belong to either place. Instead of playing in the neighborhoods of Jalisco, Mexico or Glendale, California, I would stay at home and spend hours drawing everyday. Like the daily small steps of the street vendor the discipline of drawing has lead me to become an artist for the largest animation studio on earth. This new body of work on display depict steps of my journey both as the son of an immigrant family and an artist.
For those that don’t know, I was a street vendor in Mexico. I was a cobbler when I was 9years old. Used to post up in the streets of El Grullo, El Limon, Las Paredes, El Corcovado Jalisco….waiting to attract people to fix their shoes…
Hope to see you at the reception March 5
Pencil on Paper
Acrylic Ink & Paint on Animation Acetate
17”x17”
@lpelayo1 featured in the piece