👀 A Tribute to Art's Impact

One of the last times we saw my mother-in-law, she asked us to take her to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. In her life, she traveled the world as a flying assistant and was always passionate about art and culture, and the MIA held a special place among her beloved Twin Cities museums.

As we guided the wheelchair through the fantastic collections and spotted amazing works, she had a clear idea of what she was looking for: Meules (Soleil dans la brume), by Claude Monet. There was silence when we found it, the room all for ourselves. She stayed there for as long as she could, indulging her eyes on the pink and violet brushes of the autumnal scene. Her contented smile on the way back home still remains etched in my memory.

As Monet passionately captured the fleeting moment when light graced the stacks in Giverny, could he have imagined the profound impact his painting would have on a Minnesotan woman a century later? Art does that. It has the power to transform lives when we open our senses to it. It fosters new connections with the world and makes us aware of the magic within our minds, ultimately shaping our identities and leaving cherished memories to share.

It's been one year since her passing, and today I find myself co-leading a workshop at the ICON Illustration Conference held at the very same venue, along with the launch of my new shop. In my heart, I perceive these events as serendipitous blessings from her, forever connecting our lives through the shared experiences of art and the lasting impressions they leave.

Hug your dear ones. And remember to stay curious,

Carlos