Tradition & Change: Exploring Cultural Identity Through Art
Tradición - the full collection
After my sister and I hosted a Colada Morada party (a traditional hot fruity drink enjoyed during Día de los Muertos in Ecuador), I wondered why I hadn’t done it before. I loved so many aspects of it: the preparations, the time with my sister and the good laughs we shared, the communal gathering and the enjoyment of something that spoke of culture, family, and traditions.
Wanting to capture it all, I took lots of pictures. But then I realized it was something that went beyond that moment. It made me reflect on how traditions are carried forward—sometimes consciously, others unconsciously. How do traditions perpetuate? What keeps them alive?
Traditions are linked to family, to us. We are the ones who help them to continue or allow them to fade. It’s almost funy how as teens we tend to push away from wanting to be like our parents to later appreciate and realize their wisdom and the gifts we receive from them and many generations before.
With these pieces I honor those gifts. Designing them allowed me to be thankful for what I have received and also let go. Let go of many expectations I’ve carried about how and what I’m meant to do.
Moving to a different country has given me the opportunity to observe, pick, and choose which traditions I want to keep and integrate into my life—especially those rooted in my Ecuadorian upbringing. It gets tricky without the support of a community doing the same things, but that’s where creativity comes in.
Some years, I may not make Colada Morada, but painting it has given me a way to talk about it, share it with my family, and now, with you.
This year, I want to offer you more authenticity and art that sparks meaningful conversations and connections. It feels so good to present the full Tradición Collection—tadah!
The two semi-abstract patterns in this series are inspired by the ingredients of the Colada Morada—one represents the herbs and spices (green), the other the fruits (red) . Their layered textures mirror the many steps involved in preparing the drink.
I also felt the collection needed words, so I added these quotes that resonated with me:
- La TRADICION no es la adoración de las cenizas, sino la preservación del fuego – Gustav Mahler
TRADITION is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire – Gustav Mahler
- It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little TRADITION – Henry James
Se necesita una cantidad infinita de historia para hacer incluso un poquito de TRADICIÓN – Henry James
With seven pieces in this collection, there are plenty of options to mix and match for your space—whether it’s a single statement piece or an instant gallery wall. Prints will be available in my store starting March, and the originals will be released soon. If you’re interested in one, reach out!
✨ What traditions have shaped you?
Are there any you’ve redefined or let go of over time? I’d love to hear! comment below