A 2024 trip to Cuba with my son Isaac had a profound impact on me. We brought suitcases full of necessities to family members facing the extreme hardship of Cuban life. Amid their struggles, one word was voiced again and again:"¡Ojalá!"—a powerful expression of hope and resilience.

In this photo, Primo Ernesto and I stand in front of a Cuban street mural that reads 'No Al Bloqueo.' A common slogan in Cuba opposing the U.S. embargo (often referred to as el bloqueo) that has been in place since the 1960s. He said, "Every day in this country, the situation becomes more suffocating. Our wish remains that one day, this political system will change, the situation will improve, and we will have a better quality of life. Cuba deserves it. We deserve freedom and to live with dignity, along with development and progress. ¡Ojalá!"

I was in awe of my family's resilience and faith that better days are ahead, and it inspired me to create art that focused on themes of hope. The concept of Ojala Arts was born. My mission is to create artwork that inspires hope & optimism, faith & wisdom, and well-being. ¡Ojalá!