Original artwork description:

I painted this piece to capture one of the most vibrant moments from the Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano. In the foreground, two black horses pull a vividly decorated float, with figures draped in traditional Mexican serapes—symbols of the city’s Spanish and Californian cultural fusion. I deliberately used bold brushstrokes and high-contrast colors to evoke the festive energy, while keeping the figures and animals full of motion and life. The background—filled with onlookers and historic buildings—is rendered more loosely, allowing the main subjects to shine. The composition draws the viewer’s eye forward along the parade route, as if they themselves are part of the celebration.

Materials used:

oil

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