Inspiration for the piece:

My heart would say that I've been searching all my life for something I can't see. It's only something I can feel within. It makes me wonder as though this feeling isn't originally my own, but that of my ancestors. As if a gift was passed down to me but without knowing what it is, it seemed more of a curse and I used it as such. Only now am I starting to finally see little by little.

Artist statement:

My name is Daniel Gonzales. I'm 28 and am proud to say I am Chicano. I'm also proud to say that I am a licensed tattoo artist in the first prison tattoo shop in the United States. My mediums are water soluble oils, acrylics, graphites and charcoals. My subject matters vary but I particularly lean toward portraiture style works which are slightly loose in brushwork, with color use based primarily on a feeling.

As a person who has been incarcerated since I was 18 years old, I've had a lot of experience with self reflection. I can only humbly say that I've only discovered a fraction of self but through art: I use my brushes and paint, tattoo machine and ink as a bright lamp to guide my through life with patience and respect. Shout out to my Latinos out there doing what's right! You're admired, loved, and respected!