January 2024

La Monarca, 2023

This piece, a recent commission requested by Luis Machain and Armando Rosales, pays tribute to the life of Cindy Montañez. Ms. Montañez was a politician and environmental activist from San Fernando, CA. Tragically, Ms. Montañez recently passed away after a battle with cancer. Daniel had the touching opportunity to present the piece to Ms. Montañez’s family. See below for photos from the event as well as the creation process for the painting. Regarding the piece, Daniel states the following:

“Creating this artwork was a profound journey for me. Ms. Montañez's commitment to public service and environmental causes served as my guiding inspiration throughout every brushstroke. The painting stands as a tribute to her impactful life, and presenting it to her family was an emotional and humbling experience. My hope is that this piece provides them with solace and becomes a lasting symbol of Ms. Montañez's enduring legacy.”

In addition to the painting, a poem written by Daniel originally in English titled, ‘I Am A Monarch and Soon I Must Leave’ was also translated into Spanish. The poem was recited in English/Spanish and presented to the Montañez family as a gift. The poem was printed over high quality paper and a pressed floral arrangement. In collaboration with Abigail Baldwin, Daniel produced a memorable piece of art that reflects the beauty that was Cindy Montañez. See below for Abigail’s statement on the piece.

Abigail Baldwin’s Statement on this piece:

In this collaborative commission, Daniel Lopez skillfully painted a heartfelt portrait to honor the memory of a beloved individual surrounded by monarch butterflies, while I crafted a complementary piece of pressed floral art to frame a poem on monarch symbolism and grief. Drawing inspiration from the nature-infused theme of the painting, I meticulously arranged a selection of greenery and flowers, including delicate sunflower petals, rich goldenrod, and the vivid hues of plains coreopsis. The incorporation of these elements not only echoed the colors of monarch butterflies but also acted as a botanical tribute, intertwining remembrance and natural beauty into the resonate narrative.

Contact information:

email: abigailbaldwin.botanicalartist@gmail.com

instagram: @abigailbaldwin.botanicalartist

Daniel was invited to present two of his original oil paintings with the Aprendamos, KC class on January 31, 2024

Aprendamos, KC offers Adult group classes for beginners and intermediate learners featuring local Kansas City artists. Click Here to learn more.

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