Thread by @kortizart, 1/? Back in 2017 a prominent political group in SF reached out [...]

1/? Back in 2017 a prominent political group in SF reached out to me to ask if I would consider running for a very important political office. At that time I was surprised someone with political experience would consider me for such an important position. I thought about it for a

2/? good long time. I thought about the idea of representing working people, of fighting corruption, of joining and contributing to progressive coalitions. Of all the things I wanted to say but even more so of legislation that needed to be advocated for and implemented .

3/? I thought about where I came from and how that could shape me as a public servant. I am from struggle, and I will never forget it. You can never forget seeing your parents break down unable to know if they’ll be able to bring food home, of seeing them sacrifice everything-

4/? so I could get an education , of being homeless after college, of financially taking care of my mother at 27 because where I’m from generational wealth is not a thing. At that time Maria happened too, reminding us that devastation is always near & we have so little time.

5/?
I thought about all these things for a long time. But then I also thought of art. Of painting. Of my artistic community which I love more than anything else. Of days spent away, makin imagery feel real, and feeling so alive while doing so. Of my secluded nature.

6/? Art was something I had planned to do for all my life, but for a moment, another path opened up.

I almost said yes, but in the end I couldn’t leave art, and the life of an artist. I chose to paint. I chose to use my art as a way to reach people with the real & the imaginary

7/? And to be honest, there was another brilliant politician that did end up running for that position and today is doing excellent work!

But I’m not gonna lie, in these crazy times, all my mind keeps thinking about is “we are our own saviors”.

8/? As I see politicians fail to meet the urgency of the times, I find myself wondering what I would do if I had chosen that path back in 2017. Would I be able to see all the errors that are clear as day, If I were in that bubble?

9/? I genuinely don’t know the answer to that... but I do know I would have brought the fire and the fury. I would have advocated for justice in an extremely unjust time. I wouldn’t have cared about political careers because art was always there, always my preference.

10/? I’ve been thinking a lot about this because I think I’ve been feeling hopeless about the national conversation and the direction America is taking. And whenever I feel hopeless I always take action. In this particular case, action is not so easy to take.

11/? So my mind has been going back to that moment a lot. I think if given the opportunity today I would inquire further.

But for now I’m preparing to do more oil paintings that reflect the times and my mindset. Maybe those paintings will soothe the uneasiness I feel

12/? Maybe those oil paintings will reach people, maybe those oil paintings could enact change in another way. Maybe those oil paintings will comfort my decisions, and give me purpose. To remind me once again, why I chose art, and why I continue to choose art.

13/? But big kudos to all of you progressive political activists, folks running for office, progressives in office, journalists, and everyone of you who took that jump to be in this fight, especially in these historic times where your voice is more important than ever.

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