Painting No. 4
2024
Acrylic on canvas
40 × 30 × 1.5 in (101.6 × 76.2 × 3.8 cm)

Dedicated to my dad Rodolfo Peniche and Housing Works Clinic.

Painting No. 4 is about transformation, loss, and growth. I created it during one of the most meaningful periods of my life, while grieving the passing of my father. In many ways, this painting became a reflection of everything New York City has taught me and how it has shaped the person I am today.

The composition centers on three figures, each representing a different chapter of my journey.

1. The Goddess
The first figure, lying on the ground, represents who I was when I first arrived in New York, confident, curious, and unaware of how much I still had to learn. It reflects the younger version of myself, full of ambition and possibility.

2. The Awakening
The seated figure in the lotus position represents a period of spiritual awakening. During my first year in the city, I discovered moments of stillness and began to understand the importance of presence, connection, and the idea that, at our core, we are all one.

3. The Service
The standing figure represents the path I continue to follow. It symbolizes the moment I realized that true growth begins when we let go of the ego and choose to create with purpose, gratitude, and love.

4. A Message of Love
Above the figures is a blue star with the words “Papi, te amo” (“Dad, I love you”), a simple message to my father. Nearby, a heart and the phrase “Let’s keep our ego at the door” remind me to lead with humility. A golden star, a butterfly, and two cherubs in the corners pay tribute to Veracruz, where I grew up, carrying a wish for love, peace, and protection.

More than anything, this painting is a reminder that even through loss, we can continue to grow, love, and transform.