Maestro Carlos Cortez

This print celebrates Carlos Cortez, my mentor who symbolized for me what it was to be a true artist of the people. He was a poet, graphic artist, photographer, muralist, and political activist with the Industrial Workers of the World, from Chicago, Illinois.

I met Carlos in Los Angeles in 1998 and I was immediately inspired by his beautiful spirit. Ten days after Carlos passed, I had a vivid dream about him… I was in New York, at a cultural center. I walked into the printmaking room with a large table and loads of woodcutting supplies. There at the end of the long table, was Carlos, carving away at one of his linocuts. There he was with his long white hair and his big belly. I walked up to Carlos, and he stood and gave me a big hug. He told me to continue working and to keep...