Acrylic on canvas, 16x20’, 2019.

The hot, sticky summer days profoundly come especially after coming out of an hour and 15 minute long church sermon that my parents would bring me and my siblings to on a Sunday afternoon. Thankfully the local paletero man arrives with his cart of homemade raspados that cooled us off. The tuna is the Spanish name used in Mexico of the fruit that grows from the top of cactus and it's flavor is the most refreshing of all for the those hot summer days. The laborious work it is to make such a delicious treat that is filled with care and patience is tasted through the sweet, smooth treat. I am thankful for the paletero man for providing me with this dessert as its taste brings me assurance and relief after coming out of the church bathrooms from another anxiety attack due to the sermon's topic of the day. This piece is dedicated to the paleteros who make delicious desserts that provide comfort and delight to all generations of our community. The resilience and love is beautifully crafted in the taste of raspados de tuna.

(Paletero man= ice cream man that distributes various flavors of iced sweets usually by a mobile cart; Raspados= shaven iced with a handmade syrup made from fruit)