Esperança, the Bride of Santa Monica

The painting was inspired and conceived as a protest for peace. The

crosses seem to be surreal but can be seen weekly next to the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA representing each U.S. soldier that was killed in the Iraq war.

The painted poem talks about a young woman who lost her fiance in the war and desperately looks for his cross to leave him a rose. The heart necklacerepresents a lost love. Because of so much pain she has suffered, she sees the ocean as a dried desert. But in her eyes, despite of the tears, you can see a glimpse of hope for happiness represented through the saxophones and vibrant colors.

Note: The painting not only obtains three dimensional effects through the use of optical illusions but when observing it with appropriate music, the viewer is inclined to see the bride walking among the crosses.

*Part of the proceeds of this original painting will go towards peace movements in the world.*