The city of Oaxaca was recommended to me by my friend as a "very Mexican city". In a way, yes it does look exactly as I've seen Mexico on the big screen but it is so much more, it's a city of art. Appart from being so beautiful and colorful, Oaxaca is filled with galleries, art events and artists everywhere. Cactuses, that are everywhere in Mexico, are the main part of my background. The reason why I've chosen to feature them in this painting is because of Mezcal. A famous Mexican alcohol drink, Mezcal is produced mostly in the state of Oaxaca, and more important, is the source of inspiration of many artworks that I saw in the art galleries of the city. Mezcal is not made of all the cactuses in the background but I used the opportunity to put the cactus used for mezcal in a bush of other ones.
My trip to Mexico was marked by Oaxaca's famous singer Lila Downs, so I chose to make a portrait inspired by her. I instantly fell in love with her music and her energy. For this painting I was inspired by her song "Palomo del Comalito": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot-JnuliZLA. In the music video you can see her wearing the traditional costume depicted in the painting. The yellow border surrounding the painting symbolizes the corn, central to the Oaxacan culture and traditions.