GiA's Online Gallery

Growing up in Bushwick was different…in a good way. Before all the fancy stores and coffee spots showed up, it was just us, our friends, and the block learning to survive…

Bushwick taught us how to be strong, but also how to have each other’s backs. We shared food, cracked jokes, and made sure everyone felt included.

Things might look different now, but those memories. They’ll always live in me and once in a while I like to paint them…

Living in Bushwick as a Puerto Rican means staying rooted in culture and community. Every year, the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Knickerbocker Ave brings that pride to life…and I channel that energy into this painting. I honor my heritage, celebrate resilience, and keep our traditions alive. This piece is where Bushwick and Puerto Rico meet and it’s going to Kiosko 787.

Both journaling and art give me a safe space to explore my emotions without judgment. They help turn my pain into something beautiful and remind me of my own strength. Healing isn’t always easy, but expressing myself makes the journey lighter.

Even when everything feels dark, the flowers still glow. To me, they represent hope and beauty, even when things are scary or confusing. It reminds me that no matter how hard life gets, there’s always a little light that can break through.

I used to think sunflowers only followed the sun, but the idea of them blooming at night really stuck with me. It reminds me that even in the darkest times, we can still grow and shine. Just like sunflowers, I’m learning to bloom...even when there’s no light around me.

Growing up in Bushwick has shaped who I am and how I create. This neighborhood is full of art, history, and people who inspire me. My artwork is a way to celebrate where I come from. It’s more than just a place...it’s the block I was born and raised on, where I learned some of my biggest life lessons.

Lately, I’ve been learning what it really means to become me. Not the version of me stuck in old patterns or trying to make everyone else happy. I used to focus so much on the light I saw in others that I forgot I had a light too. But now, I’m starting to remember. My light was always there...I just needed to see it for myself. Every step I take, even the hard ones, is helping me grow and get closer to who I'm ment to be..

I think life is kind of like being a hero walking through a busy city. Every street and corner are full of new adventures where you have chances to grow, learn and change for the better. It’s a colorful journey, and I’m ready to keep exploring.

Sometimes I notice how life feels like it’s coming full circle. Things from the past come back around, and I see how everything is connected. It reminds me that endings can lead to new beginnings, and that helps me stay hopeful as I keep moving forward.

I’m learning that it’s okay to be vulnerable and cry sometimes. Letting my feelings out helps me heal and grow. It reminds me that showing emotions is actually a sign of strength, not weakness. Being real about how I feel helps me understand myself better, and I don’t have to be ashamed of that.

By embracing both my families Dominican and Puerto Rican roots, this artwork shows how proud I am of my culture. It reminds me to stay connected to where I come from and to keep learning about my history.

I’ve always thought butterflies are a symbol of freedom. They start out as caterpillars, stuck to the ground, and then grow wings and fly wherever they want. That’s kind of how I see my butterfly painting...it’s not perfect or realistic, and that’s the point. The bright colors and loose lines show that art, like life, doesn’t have to follow rules. Everyone can see it in their own way, just like we all find freedom in our own way.