Mincho Vega is Borish

Nettle Tea + New Illustration

2012-01-21T17:41:00.002-05:00

New illustration for upcoming solo show in the summertime. Trying out some new paper too. So far so good.

"La Loca" 11 x 14" Ink.Charcoal.Color Pencil

2012-01-11T15:30:00.001-05:00

Video : Chaz Bojórquez French Interview

2012-01-09T11:43:00.002-05:00

One my favorite artist/elder of our Brown community. Below you will find a link to a really nice interview of him. Take notes.

Video : Chaz Bojórquez French Interview

"La Luna" 11 x 14" Ink.Charcoal.Color Pencil

2011-12-11T16:17:00.001-05:00

Work In Progress

2011-11-29T17:18:00.003-05:00

New illustration I'm working on. Another Virgin de Guadalupe/Tonatzin/Coatlique creation. I love our cultures and histories.

Dia de los Muertos 2011 at Fresthetic

2011-11-04T16:29:00.007-04:00

I have to say that I am off a high after this year's Dia de los Muertos event that I was part of. Along side two great artists, Adrian "Viajero" Roman (www.viajeroart.com) and Kai Margarida-Ramirez de Arellano (www.kaicita.com) we created a walk-in altar and surrounding cube skull. Adrian painted the right side and I took the left. Together we constructed the altar inside and Kai added the beautiful papel picado, or paper cut outs. The evening was great as we made the altar interactive by inviting people to bring photos or items and writing a message on the inside walls. My wife's dance collective did a dope singing performance, costumed and painted. I'm already thinking about next year's installation.

Dia de los Muertos Installation

2011-10-29T11:49:00.002-04:00

hey family, so a little last minute but here is the information for my installation next week. I am collaborating with some really great artists, some that I really look up to: Adrian Viajero Roman and Kai Margarida. We are building a large cube skull and creating an altar inside for people to walk into and share what they want. Please feel free to bring any items for the altar that would be in honor of your loved ones that you have lost.

Dia de los Muertos Installation w/ Adrian Viajero Roman & Kai Margarida

Wednesday Nov. 2nd

7pm

@ Fresthetic

552 Grand St W'Burg BK

4x6" Postcard Illustrations

2011-09-21T16:04:00.003-04:00

Practicing these small 4x6" postcard illustrations. Thinking of buying some cheap black picture frames and painting them then selling them.

New Design Hallway Mural

2011-09-02T20:00:00.001-04:00

A simple mural that I did at New Design High School in the LES. Kept it simple and clean.

Wood Carving 1st Attempt

2011-08-28T20:14:00.002-04:00

I'm honored to have been contacted by a master artist Sehu here in Brooklyn who basically started this "Way of the Wood" class for FREE. I will donating some work time for whatever he needs, but he is allowing his students to use his tools and supplies to learn how to carve.

This is my first project, a mermaid for my lady's Oshun altar. I will keep posting photos as I work on it.

TShirt Design 2011

2011-08-17T00:21:00.002-04:00

Hopefully will get this design made into a shirt/bag/hoodie. I want to leave it in it's rough, pencil state.

Rough Draft

2011-07-20T14:46:00.002-04:00

I know lately I've been posting a couple of "In Progress" and now this "Rough Draft" but I haven't finished anything yet. Taking my time on these next few pieces, getting them right. So this is my latest idea (with the modeling help from my homie Fabeon) of changing up contemporary Brown men/women into Maya/Mexica Gods and Goddesses. This is Chac or Chaak, the Maya rain god. He carries an ax to make lighting. This will end up as a new illustration.

In Progress Part 2 New Piece

2011-07-09T09:26:00.003-04:00

Keeping ya'll updated on my progression with this new piece. Having a lot of fun with it and also getting back into painting with my brush & hand at the same time. Meaning I enjoy to smear the paint I just laid down with my brush with my left hand. Something about being able to feel the paint for me helps a lot with the process.

Practice Handstyles ~ Sumi Ink + Brush

2011-07-03T19:42:00.001-04:00

In Progress New Piece

2011-07-02T10:41:00.002-04:00

No where near done, but this what I am currently working on. Not doing it for any show, just want to practice. She is Coatlique, she is a Chola.

Chapinas Unidas Logo

2011-06-29T17:54:00.002-04:00

Was asked to design a logo for this group "Chapinas Unidas" a while ago. "Chapinas" is slang for a woman/womyn from Guatemala. Just developing on my ideas, going thru drafts. This might work or might not. But feels good to get back on the drafting table.

Small Mural, New Style

2011-05-17T18:17:00.002-04:00

A small mural I did for my homie Decora in Newburgh for a street festival him and his crew were organizing. I think I may want to start rocking this new style, see where it takes me.

Video from Elegy Opening Sacramento CA

2011-05-11T14:29:00.002-04:00

A short video by the homies Uncle Dom and Carlos from Sol Collective.

Elegy Opening Sacramento CA 4.23.11

2011-04-28T19:29:00.008-04:00

Heres one photo of me as I worked on one of the wall installations at the Sol Collective in Sacramento. The rest are from the opening night. Thanks go to the whole crew at the collective, the folks that came through, and Miguel Perez and Melanie Cervantes for taking these photos. Love:Brown:Black:Power.

Freshly Pressed Posters

2011-04-15T09:10:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty proud of myself that I designed a special edition Elegy poster for my upcoming Sacramento show. The writing says "Sacramento Califas 4/23/2011" Printed by my homie Randy on some cheap kraft paper I gave him. I'm digging the dark red ink. I got about 30 printed.

Official Flyer Elegy

2011-04-08T19:25:00.004-04:00

Same information as below, but just wanted to show off my brother Miguel's flyer skills. Tell your friends and enemies.

Elegy Opening Sacramento 4/23/11

2011-04-03T19:34:00.002-04:00

No flyer just yet, but I want to put the word out there for my solo show in Sacramento, California. Please spread the word, the show is at a really dope cultural center and the more support they have the better. Hope to see you all there:

Elegy

April 23rd - May 18th

Opening Reception Saturday April 23rd 7p - 12am

w/ music by DJ Crush Delight & Baby Tiger

limited special "Califas" edition posters for sale + prints

Sol Collective

2574 21st Street Sacramento. California

"Espiritu" 14 x 11" Ink, Charcoal, Pencil on Paper

2011-03-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

Land, Food, Housing + Colony

2011-03-29T16:24:00.002-04:00

These two illustrations I completed a while ago but am not sure if they will make the cut for the series. I might end up adding more to the one right below.

Bronx Event April 1st 2011

2011-03-23T17:37:00.002-04:00

If you live up in the Bronx or work there please come by this event. I'll be there along with a gang of other wonderful artists celebrating the life of Cesar Chavez. I will have (hopefully done) some of my new works and prints.

Friday April 1st

940 Garrison, BX

6pm

New Elegy Works

2011-03-14T19:29:00.002-04:00

I don't want to show you guys the new works in their entirety, but I do want to get you guys interested. These pieces so far are for my new show in Sacramento, Califas. It's NEXT MONTH so I gotta get crackin'. A lot of animals/spirits in these. Check back in a week or two for more.

I Wanna Give You a High Five & a Hug

2011-03-10T21:31:00.003-05:00

This lady is bad ass. I want to give her a high five and a hug. I was looking for images of owls for a new piece and she came up.

California Visit

2011-03-04T15:39:00.002-05:00

I had a break from work and New York last month so I flew out to the Bay Area to visit my families. While I was there I slept a lot, ate good food, visited nature, and did some painting with my brothers Shaun and Miguel from TYS. Here's an apple from my sister.

This image above is a piece I painted at an event that Miguel hooked me up with at UC Berkeley. It was a pretty large canvas so I rocked one of my Elegy images. By the end of the night I gave it away to my folks Ras.

Heres Miguel rocking his dope abstract styles.

Miguel and Shaun's finished pieces.

Vanessa

2011-02-14T17:38:00.002-05:00

The homie Vanessa helped me out with some photos for my newest works for the Elegy series. I fortunately have been booked for a show out in Sacramento, California in April so I am in serious work mode creating new pieces. The first image below is a sketch for a new silk screened poster for my series. The other photos are just ones that I am using in other pieces.

Paper Mask

2011-02-05T14:24:00.002-05:00

This past week I did a 3 day workshop on mask making with a small group of my students. I had never made a paper mask so it was the first time for me also. With help from a book from the library, I managed to create this "Muerto" mask. It is constructed from brown paper bags, newspaper, glue and water, paint and fabric for the facial hair. As soon as I finished this one I started making another one. I want to practice as much as I can so I can start creating a nice series of masks. Let me know what you think.

In Progress January 2011

2011-01-25T19:26:00.003-05:00

I had an idea/vision for these four pieces on red/orange paper the other week. Here are two that I started last weekend. They've become a part of a sub-topic for my Elegy series, based on Mestizo/Native peoples recognizing our interconnections with the animal world. I am using pencil, charcoal, ink, marker, graphite and acrylic. The ink isn't sitting well on this type of paper, so I might stop using it. I might substitute it with oil paint sticks. I love using those, but haven't in years because they're hella expensive and take a long time to dry.

Cattle Skull

2011-01-06T21:55:00.002-05:00

The collection of dead animal remains grows. Here is my newest piece that I bought off this guy on Craigslist. Full grown cattle skull. The other horn is there, it just needs to be screwed back on. I had planned on painting the skull, but I'm liking it the way it is. In addition to my antlers that I am collecting, I think this piece will help make a dope altar.
My other joy is seeing the people's faces as I walk down the street with this stuff. "Oh honey, it's just another Latino carrying a large cattle skull on the subway." Sweet.

Fabeon

2011-01-06T21:48:00.002-05:00

A couple of shots of my good homie Fabeon, a great teacher/mcee. Going down the line of my friends to use as models/reference for new pieces.

Current Inspirations

2010-12-29T14:05:00.002-05:00

Some of my current inspirations for my series Elegy are: Jaguars, indigenous patterns, and masks. Several of these images are from the American Indian Museum here in New York City. Besides the issues I have with museums and their history with taking and holding indigenous people's things, I sometimes go there to do research. Research, research, and research is super important when you are retelling our stories. Gotta know where I am getting my patterns from and what meanings or stories they are telling.
On another note it's still amazing to me that I can be so close to a piece of art that my ancestors sculpted thousands of years ago (the Pipil sculpture on top left). It is truly sacred and beautiful.

Illustration in Current Left Turn Magazine

2010-12-25T12:51:00.003-05:00

Please pick up the current issue of Left Turn when you get a chance. In addition to it being a great magazine with great information you won't find on major news, they have art by artists such as myself. You can find my current illustration on page 18. Click here for Left Turn Magazine website.

Camaradas Mural

2010-12-11T13:52:00.002-05:00

Here are some photos of the mural I created for the restaurant Camaradas in Manhattan. My series "Elegy" is still up there for the months of December and I believe January. Please go by and support people of color businesses and see my work at the same time. www.camaradaselbarrio.com

Elegy Opening-El Barrio NYC

2010-11-30T18:47:00.003-05:00

I will be installing my "Elegy" series for the months of December and January at the well known Camaradas restaurant in El Barrio neighborhood of Manhattan. This series first had it's showing back in February here in Brooklyn so if you missed it now is your chance. Even if you saw it the first time I added some new pieces and will CREATE a new piece there on one of their walls. Please join us for the opening next week. Below you will find the information.

Elegy
A new series of work by visual artist Borish
Dec. 2010 - Jan. 2011
Opening Reception Thursday December 9th
6-10pm
@ Camaradas
2241 1st Ave Manhattan NY

Animal Spirit + 518 Years

2010-11-25T09:44:00.002-05:00

New illustration. Not sure how I feel about the final outcome, things are a little off, but they're on the right track. I plan on doing more portraits with animal features.

Improved Elegy Handstyles

2010-11-20T14:37:00.004-05:00

Before my "Elegy" series goes up at Camaradas next month I'm getting my homie Mike to redesign the "Elegy" postcards he made for me in March for my solo show. I redesigned the handstyles today, because I wasn't really feeling the old one. Heres the new one. I wrote it using a piece of foam from a foam brush and Sumi ink.

New Fall Work

2010-11-14T15:25:00.005-05:00

Preview of a new piece I am currently working on. I was asked by the homie Veronica who is a dope artist herself, to submit a piece for a show she is helping put together in Salt Lake City, Utah. The show is titled "Paths of Resistance" and is going to be shown in the Mestizo Coffeehouse and Gallery. You can find them online at their site: mestizoarts.org.

My other good news is that I am also working towards creating a few new pieces for my Elegy series for an opportunity to hang my series at the well known bar and restaurant, Camaradas (here in NYC). They always have really dope artists displaying work there, great bands playing, dope DJs spinning, etc. So you know I was very honored when the homie Adrian who organizes the artists, asked me to put my work up. Adrian himself is a super dope artist, please take a moment and view his work: viajeroart.com.
That exhibit won't go up until the first week of December. We'll also have a small opening party, so I will keep my blog updated for that info.

Antlers. Don't Ask Me Why.

2010-11-08T19:36:00.003-05:00

Here is my latest weird fascination: Deer Antlers. I've always liked antlers, they're dope, they're hard as hell, and they're attached to a cool animal. I've had one (small one) for many years but lately, and I'm not sure why, I've wanted more and I'm even looking for some deer skulls to paint. The antlers I am using as reference for some new illustrations I am working on (the Elegy series) and I most likely will end up using them for a sculpture, or altar when I do another show.

The photos below are of a taxidermy deer head I bought on craigslist (which I carried on my bike thru the Lower East Side of Manhattan to my work). I just wanted the antlers so I ended up cutting those off (don't judge me) and donated the head to our science dept at the school I work at. The other antlers I bought at a thrift store near my house in Brooklyn. So odd that I found them so close to my place, in the middle of Brooklyn.

But I am still really unsure WHY I am buying them, but as my lady said, its spirit telling you something, so I should listen.

New Reference Images

2010-10-28T21:17:00.002-04:00

Last week I had my two good homies Mikey 1SOUL and Leilani come thru to my work and sit for some photos. I was in need of some new models for these new "Elegy" illustrations/paintings that I want to work on. I really like how they came out. Here are a few, but I got a few more that I haven't messed with. Can't wait to use them!

Mylatinovoice Punto Com

2010-10-14T17:34:00.002-04:00

Robert Weddell from mylatinovoice.com interviewed me about my art.

On Monday October 11^th, most of America celebrated Columbus Day but artist Borish or Ben Rojas marked the occasion as Indigenous People's Day.

In fact, through most of Borish's art, he celebrates the warrior spirit of his west coast Chicano and El Salvadorian roots. "In the Bay area, California and the south west you don't have that culture any where else," said Borish. "We make a connection to our indigenous roots."

Borish moved to New York City six years ago after attending San Francisco State University where he majored in art education and Raza studies. He has felt that being on the East coast has strengthened his Northern California sensibility.

"Since I've been away," said Borish, "I'm proud of being west coast."

In a series of paintings titled "Elegy," Borish contemplates the modern indigenous warrior spirit that translates into today's gangs. Borish, who grew up in Pittsburg, California to parents from El Salvador, mourns the arrival of Columbus and other Europeans to Latino countries.

"An elegy is a mourning poem," he said. "A clash of cultures...with complications that corrupt and kill ourselves spiritually and mentally; let's figure out what really happened? Why do we hate a large part of ourselves? And that includes the African legacy."

Viewing one of Borish's paintings one sees haunting translucent paintings of modern individuals and at the same time, his work looks back to ancient Central, South America and Mexico. Within portraits one finds writing, whether a tattoo or a scrawl with a serpent or a skull, as a sign post. Borish's art is where modernity meets the mystic, the Incas meet the ipod, and the large eyes of his subjects tell more than what the art is letting on. His images draw one in like the strange black figure found on the bridge between the United States and Mexico in William Carlos Williams's poem about Juarez.

At this year's Afro-Punk Festival in Brooklyn, Borish painted a canvas using spray and latex paints, Sumi ink with graphite pencil, representing animal revolt. Like so much of Borish's art, it is the unusual visual style of so much going on all at once and where images of life and death intertwine like a serpent. Visuals, metaphors, signifiers and allegories are every where.

Several years ago this reporter was enthralled watching the majesty of Mexico's national ballet and the repertory of mythological and allegorical dances like the dance of the deer or how the devil interferes in daily life. Drawing and evoking images and ideas, Borish imaginatively dips into the same well spring however he brings an urban rooted and tough portrayal to his work.

In Borish's art there's the atavistic reality of going back to Central America and Mexico with a modern city dweller's sense of mystery and romance mixed with raw in-your-face power that draws in viewers and positively intimidates at the same time.

Borish's art has garnered respect from artists of other disciplines like poet Bonafide Rojas who wrote via Facebook, "he is a continuation of a tradition of social art and activism --- beautiful use of color, subject matter and powerful images. One of the more dedicated artists in the community."

In his "Elegy" series, Borish said via telephone interview that he wants to reach out to young Latino men who still possess an indigenous warrior spirit that translates today into gang membership.

"There are young men who don't have fathers or don't grow up with fathers," said Borish, "There's loss of legacy and pain and from that pain you see gangs....They're warriors with power and they don't know what to do with that power."

Borish recognizes the pain, which are the unanswered questions in his art or the airy, sensitivity and elusive qualities existing in his art, which is both concrete and mystical.

Borish sees community activists today as possessing that warrior nature and using it to change their communities. He remembers a slogan in California was 'Bang for Change' or gang bang for a change.

"I hope my art does the same thing," said Borish. "I want to reach young people so my art can't be corny so I use gang styles with tats....aspects of gang life is warrior culture."

3 Seconds of Fame

2010-10-14T17:31:00.001-04:00

Here is a clip from the show "Sci Fi Science" where they got me and other design teachers from our school to paint aliens on the roof of our school. I'm a broke rock star. Pay me.

Left Turn Magazine Illustration

2010-10-10T17:08:00.002-04:00

A recent illustration I did for the magazine Left Turn. The topic was the state of Arizona (that's the Arizona state flag in the illustration) and their new law SB 1070, where local law enforcement is given the right to suspect anyone of being an "illegal" person and ask for documents to prove their citizenship. I envisioned the lawmakers and police forces of the state to be erecting some kind of fence around their state, separating themselves from the rest of the world. And who do you think would be building this fence? That's right.

Sketch for Org SOA Watch

2010-09-19T10:35:00.002-04:00

This woman is an interpretation of the Mayan Goddess Ixchel. She is the goddess of child birth. She has always been shown to have a snake on her head, representing rebirth and death. Similar with other indigenous goddesses from the Americas the snakes hold an important role in relation to the earth, life, and death. This in my way is a reclaiming of our histories within the Americas. She is that rebirth of our unison that the "Americas" once had. She is Lady Liberty, she is Coatlicue, she is Pele, she is Ixchel, she is Tonatzin. Her head is adorned with different forms of plant life, representing peace, and the fight for life as many plants do when faced with extreme environments. The Americas are filled with these extreme environments, and we will not go any where, but fight together to live. Her tattoo is a play on the classic love graffiti/tattoos that countless of lovers have written & carved on surfaces since the start of time. We fight, argue, spill blood, but in the end we are together for forever. North + South "por vida", for life.

Warriors Vest Complete

2010-09-11T11:55:00.003-04:00

Big thank you to Randy & crew at Fresthetic for a successful show and the homie Rico for modeling my vest. Bowie knife Dundee style.

More Recent Work- In Progress

2010-09-05T19:34:00.002-04:00

Illustrations done in the last few months. In progress works.

"Come Out to Play" Opening Fri. 10th 2010

2010-09-05T17:35:00.004-04:00

All artists will be creating/altering a leather vest for this "Warriors" themed art show. Come out next Friday and see what the artists (including myself) have created. Thank you.

Come Out to Play
Opening Night Friday Sept. 10th
7pm - 10pm
Sept 10th - Oct. 9th
@ Fresthetic
560 Grand Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
w/ DJs Mike Rivera & DJ Clear

"Waaaarriors, Come Out annnd Plaaaayy"

2010-08-04T22:58:00.004-04:00

Hey friends. I'll withhold the boring "I'm so sorry I haven't blogged in a looonng time, wah wah waaaa". Whatever. I've been a lazy Latino bastard. Anyways, here are some photos of the new project I am working on.
Next month our good people, Randy Q at Fresthetic in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) will be curating an art show themed after the classic Brooklyn film, "Warriors". I don't want to give away too much, but I feel like it's gonna be fresh. I'm pretty hyped about my own idea, hopefully I can pull it off with the time I got. Along with some sketches of some ideas are some images of Maya sculpture, a huge inspiration for this piece.

My New Hero: Martin Ramírez

2010-07-07T11:40:00.008-04:00

So other than my contribution to the AfroPunk Festival the other week (see posting below), I've been on a hiatus from my art. I think its good to take a break and seek out inspiration for new energy. While in my favorite bookstore in the city I came upon a newly arrived art book about the artist Martin Ramírez (1895–1963). An amazing artist from Mexico that came to the States "from Mexico in 1925, Ramírez was institutionalized in 1931, first at Stockton State Hospital, then, beginning in 1948, at DeWitt State Hospital in Auburn, near Sacramento, where he made the drawings for which he is now known." (Wikipedia) He was self-taught who spent most of his life in mental hospitals, diagnosed as a catatonic schizophrenic.
To me this is an amazing story, a brown man migrating to this country to work then ends up mentally ill, stops speaking but was able to create these beautiful works of art. A big part of me finds things like this very interesting, how the human mind works in relation to art. How the human spirit can travel through the hands (or however you create) carrying with it memory, pain, love, etc and many times with the artist not being conscious that they are doing it. He may not be new onto the scene, but he is new to me, so I wanted to share with others who haven't been blessed by his art.

Afro-Punk Festival 2010

2010-06-28T21:06:00.002-04:00

Here's my piece that I painted at this year's Afro-Punk Festival in Brooklyn. We had 2 days to paint a piece themed on "animal revolt". I chose to create a piece based on the spirits of animals during life and after death. Mixed in there is the image of Coatlicue, the Mexica Goddess of earth, life, and death.

I'm pretty proud of this piece (especially because I had to rep for the whole TYS crew solo!) and also really trying to get back to the power of the basics, eg. primary and secondary colors. I used spray paint, latex paint, Sumi ink, and graphite pencil.

Saturday May 22nd.

2010-05-15T21:51:00.001-04:00

The family Readnex invited TYS to hang some art for their album release. Looks like a great line up. I'll see you there.

New Piece on Roof of New Design High

2010-05-10T20:16:00.003-04:00

The finished piece that I did on the rooftop of New Design High School. I left a few parts "unfinished" as part of the style I am trying right now. Inspired by the countless young brown men/boys struggling to find themselves and to the countless young brown men standing up for change, love, compassion, and forgiveness. Especially those that are fathers.

Discovery Channel "OctoHombre"

2010-05-07T15:47:00.002-04:00

Here's a sketch for one of most strangest gigs that I've ever been asked to do since, well I don't know. I've been asked along with the other Design teachers here at my school to paint huge aliens on the roof of our school for a special on the Discovery Channel. The show is called "Sci-Fi Science - Physics of the Impossible". They are asking us to paint our idea of what an alien from space would look like. They're giving us a limited time and will record us in HD in a time-lapse.

I'm pretty excited for this project, it's hella weird but I look forward to painting a piece on the ground which I've never done and also to have my art on the Discovery Channel.

"Braids & Whips" ink, charcoal. 11" x 14"

2010-04-29T22:08:00.002-04:00

From my "Elegy" solo show. Small image on figure's chest originally from the book "Broken Spears" which is a written account of the European invasion/attack on the Mexica empire. This piece has one of my favorite titles so far.

"Elegy" ink, charcoal. 14" x 11"

2010-04-29T22:02:00.002-04:00

Illustration from my "Elegy" show. Really trying to stick to the rule of only painting/illustrating people that I know or photographed. This one is based on my good brother Juan (Wonway) that I've known since we were 10.

"Land or Death" acrylic, ink. 30" x 40"

2010-04-29T21:58:00.002-04:00

A better photo of a piece from my new series. Land or Death. Punto.

"FTP" Acrylic, ink, rhinestones. 36" x 36"

2010-04-29T21:53:00.002-04:00

This was shown before on my blog (in the entry showing my solo show) but wanted to re-post with a better photo. One of my favorites so far that I've painted in a while. I'm glad I did the rhinestones, my lady's idea. Enjoy and Learn.

Roof Roof

2010-04-18T13:23:00.002-04:00

Hey peoples, sorry for not giving you any updates after my solo show. In a nutshell I took off to the Bay Area after my show for about 2 weeks, got some great feedback from my show, hella people hit me up about some prints (if you want one hit me up minchovega@gmail.com) and now I'm back in Brooklyn.
If any of you guys know I work in an unique high school in the Lower East Side that is host to one of very few legal graffiti art/mural spots in New York. Every year we paint the walls of our roof and have an opening. Here is a couple shots of my new piece in progress. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna change a lot before I am done. I was really trying to be okay with not liking what I did and going over it. It was loosely based on a quick sketch so the development of the piece is still on-going. And I'm okay with it!

Photos of "Elegy" in Brooklyn.

2010-03-25T18:26:00.006-04:00

Thank you to Fresthetic staff, Randy, Omar, Gio, & Mikey for making this true and together. Thank you to all the people that came through and those that will. Photo credit to I Johnson. Paz.

ELEGY Sneak Peek

2010-03-15T22:08:00.003-04:00

Here are some not-so-great photos (on purpose) of whats in store for this Friday (March 19th). Got a gang of framed illustrations (above) that are all pretty much new works done in the last year. I also did 3 new paintings as well. The one above is entitled "Land or Death".

In addition to all that stuff I'm also going to put together an altar with the help of my lady Adia. This will be one of first altars I'm gonna do that is going to be all white. Pretty excited to put it together and see what people think.

Well, gotta get back to work, but hopefully if you're reading this & you live (or visiting) NYC, you will make it out to the opening, get a poster or print and enjoy some good food + drink.

Benjamin Botón

2010-03-10T19:41:00.004-05:00

Just another reason to make it out to my solo show next Friday in Brooklyn (if the free food & drink weren't enough?). Free buttons. Check the blog below for information to my show.

ELEGY Opening Friday March 19th

2010-03-02T21:13:00.004-05:00

Information for my first solo show:

ELEGY

works by BORISH

A new series of paintings and illustrations focused on the "mourning poems" of a post 1492 contemporary Brown America .

March 19th - April 20th 2010

Opening night Friday March 19th
w/ Music provided by DJ Rabbi D

7pm - 10pm
Fresthetic
560 Grand St.
W'Burg Brooklyn NY

L train to Lorimer

Food + Drink (Possible pupusas & Tecate tallboys)

"Please Don't Stare at Me" by Tamara Davidson

2010-02-27T17:57:00.004-05:00

Today I was greeted by this very beautiful poem in my inbox from a very talented poet by the name of Tamara Davidson. As mentioned in the email, Tamara was influenced by my recent "Nanny" series (check older blogs) that I painted a while ago. I am so HONORED when I can play a role for other artists to create. This in turn also inspires ME to keep creating. Thank you Tamara, much love & light.

Please Don’t Stare At Me

In these moments where our gaze meets the same point.

And the intimacies of our eyes mesh.

The fact of your Fathers does not hit the marrow,

or stir my spine.

An engulf of love

drenches these hands I use to hold you,

clutch the brim of a pastel baby stroller,

and read a letter from home.

You child love me,

in momentary lapse of blindness,

for nothing has been stolen from you.

Though I do not hate your Fathers.

They are mine too.

Philosophical incest,

gutted in uncured meat,

digested in hollow tongues.

If everything,

I hope my painted being,

will rapture the heart of your child souls.

So we are no longer devoured.

"Land" 11"x 14" Ink, Charcoal, acrylic paint on paper

2010-02-18T12:22:00.001-05:00

A sneak peek into some of the new pieces I've been working on for my solo show next month.

Mannequin

2010-02-15T15:57:00.002-05:00

Here's a better photo of the finished mannequin. Photo by Macho C.

Finished Mannequin

2010-02-13T11:00:00.003-05:00

Here is the finished version of the mannequin I did for the "Bullets & Love" show at Fresthetic. I was a little Last Minute Larry with some of the details, which I never am, but I'm pretty happy with it, not totally happy, but happy.
Of course I didn't take a photo before, so this one is from the homie Tanya that shot it at the show, so you can't see the other side. It's titled "Aurelia Cuellar" after my Great Great Grandmother.

Bullets & Love: The Process...

2010-01-29T20:25:00.003-05:00

Next month our homies over at Fresthetic will be putting on their 3rd annual "Bullets & Love" showcase with several visual artists who all get down on plastic mannequin busts. This is my third year doing this. I enjoy doing this project because it causes me to push myself and paint on a surface that I normally wouldn't. Well, here is the flyer, along with some photos of what I am working on right now. Last year I did the bust in dedication to my mother, so I thought I would keep the motion and make this year dedicated to my Great Grandmother and my other ancestors. Wish me luck.

New 1492 Painting

2010-01-18T14:08:00.002-05:00

New painting from my 1492 "Elegy" series. Trying to save a lot of the new stuff for my March solo show in Brooklyn, but I'm sharing this one. Thank you to Kelly for being the influence for this piece. More to come.

First Stencils

2010-01-18T13:59:00.002-05:00

So this is one of my first attempts at working with stencils. Not a huge fan of them but since the news of the earthquake that shook Haiti I started making these stencils for a quick poster to sell and raise funds. I have to say that it was pretty fun making it, a little like working out a puzzle. They're not perfect, or at least at that level that I would like them to be, but they serve the purpose for now.
The words "Sové Ayiti" in Creole translate to "Save Haiti" which was a show at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe last Sunday. It was a DOPE fundraiser for the organization Doctors Without Borders located in Haiti. Not really the ideal spot to set up shop and sell (pretty small and packed) so I only ended up selling one. Oh well, there will be more events to send help to Haiti.

Sketch

2010-01-02T13:28:00.002-05:00

A sketch I did for a mural idea. Rocked a little Prisma markers plus a little black ink. Let's hug it out.

Google NYC Mural + Youth

2009-12-29T10:03:00.002-05:00

I've been working with these same students for about 3 years creating murals in and around our school. The other month Google asked our principal if our students could help them with a mural in their NY headquarters. They've helped us out in the past by renting out our rooftop for a party and paid us hella much. So I took 3 of my mural students and we did this small logo mural for them. I art directed and they did the majority of the painting. I was super proud of these guys and how the final piece looked. Thank you Mario, Dilyon, and Dennis.

Gift 11" x 17" Ink, pencil, & charcoal on paper

2009-12-24T17:29:00.003-05:00

Here's an illustration I did for my good friend Sarah. She had wanted a gift for her mother for the Hanukkah days. She gave me a couple of old photos of her mother and grandfather when they were younger, so I created a collage of images and added parrots and some roses (her mother's favorites). I thought it came out pretty good. I'm also hyped that I'm getting back into using a lot of pencils with the ink illustrations I'm currently doing.

Preview

2009-12-17T23:50:00.003-05:00

Here are some photos of my small work area where I am currently putting together some new pieces for a small solo show in March. I believe the show will be titled "Elegy", which is a mourning poem. I got the idea for that through revisiting images from the book "Broken Spears" which an indigenous account of the European invasion in Mexico. A good number of the pieces in the show will be based on this concept.

"Stop MTR" 8" x 10", Collage, Pencil, Charcoal

2009-11-19T20:13:00.002-05:00

This is an illustration that I did for the magazine "Left Turn". The article that I did it for is about mountain top removal and it's effects on the earth and people. Visit the magazine here: Leftturn.org

Tierra Banner

2009-11-08T11:35:00.001-05:00

Practice, practice, practice, mess up. Repeat.

Conchita Campos + The Park +Live Painting

2009-11-02T19:40:00.002-05:00

Hey peoples. This Saturday coming up my good family Conchita Campos, Core Rhythm, and 3rd Party will be all together for a great show celebrating Conchita's album release. Please come through and join us. I will be doing some live painting along side the wonderful Marthalicia.

This Saturday the 7th
Public Assembly
70 N. 6th St. BK (Williamsburg)
930p
$7
21+ w/ ID

"Monster Heads" from Hoodscrapers Exhibit

2009-10-16T23:13:00.003-04:00

One more piece from the "Hoodscrapers" show we did back in May of 2009. This piece is pretty large, guessing about 6' ft tall by 12' wide on a roll of canvas.

"Displaced 1492" 3' x 2' Acrylic, Ink

2009-10-12T10:03:00.004-04:00

This is an old piece from the "Hoodscrapers" show we did in Newburgh, NY. I never had a good photo of it. Also I think its a good choice to post today, it being the day that some citizens in this country celebrate genocide and white power (Columbus Day).

"Jessica" 11" x 17", Ink on paper

2009-09-28T13:23:00.002-04:00

"To the Mothers" 30" x 45", Acrylic, Ink

2009-09-13T12:13:00.004-04:00

This is the main piece for my "Nanny" series. You can see the other 5 pieces below. I hope people that view this series of paintings get a better understanding of how many women, specifically mothers play the role of mother to children that aren't theirs. Majority of the time these children are white/European/European-American and the "mothers" are Brown and Black.
It struck me as sad, and amazing how much energy these mothers/women have to give, give, give, to other children; caring for them, teaching them, feeding them, singing to them and then have to go home (if allowed) and take care of their own. But does their energy ever run out? What of those children that don't get to see their mothers? Also struck me as amazing as how much privilege the white mothers have, that they can hand over their children to other women and walk away to work or do as they please.

What do you think??

"Nanny 3 & 4" 5" x 7", Ink, Acrylic

2009-09-13T12:10:00.001-04:00

"Nanny 2" 30" x 15", Acrylic, Ink

2009-09-13T12:04:00.001-04:00

"Nanny 1" 15" x 30", Acrylic, Ink

2009-09-13T11:59:00.002-04:00

New painting from my small "Nanny" series I did for the TYS Black Art Show in SF.

New Poster for 9/11 Black Show in SF

2009-09-04T23:08:00.002-04:00

New poster hot off the presses mang. 14" x 18" silk screened. Original image of student protester from El Salvador, 1970s.

"Open Mouth" 5.5" x 8.5", Ballpoint pen, ink

2009-08-31T21:00:00.001-04:00

New Sticker

2009-08-28T02:01:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I'm not a fancy face graphic designer. But I try. Here is a new design I did this week for some Trust Your Struggle stickers. I haven't made home style stickers in a cool minute, but it's about time we start up again with spreading our message. Recently we've been finding people online getting tattoos of the words Trust Your Struggle and seeing our "expressive hand writings" on walls etc. and people having great reactions to the expression. I'm not saying we're the first to put those words together, but....

Either way, TYS is for the people and its way bigger than all of us. We're honored that people would find those words as inspiration and when nothing else, you gotta trust your struggle.

Also, image originally photographed by Susan Meiselas during the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. Hand styles by Miguel Bounce Perez. Get your read on gangsta.

Recent Sketch 2, "Grandota"

2009-08-28T01:52:00.003-04:00

This is another sketch that I did while out of the country. I've had these characters in my head for a while (maybe a year), but haven't done much with them. "Grandota" in Spanish means large lady. This one is wearing a typical Salvadorian apron that many women wear as they cook, and work selling food or other goods. I hope to one day paint one of these grandotas as a mural. Imagine seeing this on a wall? A great way to give honor to all the women that put in hella work to feed and keep a family together.

Recent Sketch 1, "Tierra"

2009-08-28T01:46:00.003-04:00

Drew this sketch the other month while me and the lady were in Jamaica. The object in the middle is a Mexica shield, the feathers are not finished. Think I might redo it as a poster, would also look good as a tattoo, but don't bite without asking. Buy me dinner first, then go in for the kill.

The Black Art Show, Sept. 11th 2009, SF Califas

2009-08-16T15:59:00.002-04:00

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH 2009
D-Structure
520 Haight Street
San Francisco Califas
8pm-11pm

"Homes for All" 16" x 20", acrylic & ink on canvas

2009-07-07T10:28:00.000-04:00

"Tired" 16" x 20", acrylic & ink on canvas

2009-07-07T10:25:00.001-04:00

"Tierra" 36" x 36", acrylic & ink on canvas

2009-07-07T10:17:00.003-04:00

From our May 2009 "Hoodscrapers" exhibit in Newburgh, NY

Cover of Canvas

2009-07-02T23:50:00.003-04:00

On recovering the art work from the Newburgh gallery (Ann Street Gallery) the curator gave me a copy of Canvas, a local arts newsletter. I am blessed to have been chosen as the cover artist for this month's issue.

Ideas, Tools, and a Roll of Paper

2009-06-30T09:46:00.004-04:00

With a solo show always in the back of my mind, I am constantly trying to gather a strong series of ink illustrations. Every time I come upon other artist's work it makes me want to work even harder.
So in saying that I am currently trying new tools to illustrate with, going back to my earlier years, and ridding myself of what it means to "mess up". I am always reminding myself that mistakes are what you make them. If a certain movement, or line is not what you want it to be then maybe it's you who needs to bend a little.
The first image is the start of an ink illustration on a roll of paper, 10 yards long that I plan to illustrate from right to left . No planning, no sketch, no brushes. We'll see how it turns out.

June Live Painting

2009-06-23T14:28:00.005-04:00

Last week I had a chance to do some live painting at the "Love is Love" show here in NYC. I rocked along side the very dope and talented Marthalicia, and several other artists. The event was packed, the performances excellent (Blitz the Ambassador & his band), I stayed a while, rocked these two pieces and then bounced. Big thank you to Marthalicia.

Each canvas, 18" x 18", acrylic, paint pen, & ink.

Mural Sketches

2009-06-13T22:25:00.004-04:00

These few illustrations are sketches & ideas that I am forming for this potential mural gig in NY. It will be painted at this Mexican Grill restaurant, so the theme is Mexico, Mexica/Maya images. I'm also gonna throw a little European and African up in the mix, cause you know I gotta rep for all the sides.

Recent Sketch from Sketchbook...

2009-05-31T23:06:00.002-04:00

Feathered Serpent, Quetzalcoatl.

Rooftop Legends, Lower East Side NY

2009-05-17T19:34:00.004-04:00

Here's my contribution to this year's Rooftop Legends exhibit in the LES. All in spray paint except the book title.

Trumpet (for Adia)