Vista Verdadera

Hello, my name is Marcos Leon Gonzalez, a 17-year-old Junior at Delcastle Technical Highschool in Delaware and I am the sole creator of Vista Verdadera. Vista Verdadera is a project that represents the continuation of a lineage of submissions to the Instructables website, all centered around the theme of "Vista," which means "view" in Spanish. I chose "View" as the theme word because these projects are expanding my perspectives in ways that I, as a young child, never could have imagined. A view is not just opened for me, but by design for everyone who sees these submissions. Vista Verdadera, which means "true view," aims to showcase the true perspective into Mexican life. The painting's value extends beyond its initial appearance, as its impact transcends the confines of the canvas. Through Vista Verdadera, I aim to explore the intersection of art, politics, and culture, seeking to inspire and provoke new ways of thinking and seeing art.

1. 16 in x 20 in canvas
2. 3 in x 3 in canvas
3. Three large brush
4. 2 fine brushes
5. 2 thick brushes
6. 12-pack acrylic paint
7. sponge
8. newspaper
9. water
10. Box cutter knife
11. Alcohol markers

Standing prominently amidst the urban landscape is an impressive dark blue tower, meticulously crafted as a replica of the iconic Torre Latinoamericana in Mexico City, a symbol of national pride and achievement. Flanking this majestic tower on either side are sets of buildings, each meticulously designed and created with varying levels of detail, painting styles, and, most significantly, levels of beauty. Surrounding these buildings, a lush but faraway forest comes into view, adding a natural and serene backdrop to the urban landscape. As the scene unfolds, a sunset provides a striking and dramatic backdrop, casting a warm and ethereal glow over the entire canvas.

Each element depicted in the painting serves a purpose, representing different facets of Mexican culture. Beginning with the minutest details, various patches of forest interwoven with the urban landscape serve as a reminder that all that has been created within the nation has its roots in the land. The towering structures, rising high above the trees, symbolize the progress and development that has elevated the nation to new heights. To the left, a pair of buildings starkly contrast the surrounding beauty, serving as a stark representation of the harsh realities faced by many Mexicans on a daily basis. These buildings serve as a poignant reminder of the pervasive issue of poverty, as evidenced by the staggering statistic that as of 2022, approximately 46 million citizens live below the poverty line (BBVA Research, 2023). 

Below these, another building, exuding vibrant colors but lacking in prominence, symbolizes the government of the nation – a structure with a strong core, yet marred by its questionable actions. On the opposite side, the buildings at the top-right exude a semblance of elegance, yet are deliberately portrayed as lesser. These structures represent the resilient, determined, and powerful people of the nation, who, despite their strength and resilience, face daily struggles to support their families. A strong core concealed beneath an unassuming exterior. 

Beneath these, a towering structure, architecturally sound and robust, is left unfinished. This unfinished edifice serves as a symbolic representation of the nation's ongoing growth and the tireless efforts of its people to propel it towards greatness. It stands as a reminder that while significant progress has been made, the job of nation-building is far from complete.

Two prominent symbols emerge, commanding attention with unyielding force. The soaring tower, crafted as a replica of a real-life architectural marvel, stands as a powerful embodiment of Mexican prowess and progress. It shows the collective aspiration for a nation that exudes strength and grandeur. However, beneath this towering symbol of advancement lies an underlying message of stark inequality. It serves as a stark reminder of the profound disparities that persist between the lower socioeconomic class and the obscenely affluent elite within the nation. This juxtaposition underscores the duality of Mexico's societal fabric, where immense strength coexists with glaring disparities, casting a poignant light on the complex socioeconomic landscape of the nation.

In the backdrop of this intricate depiction lies a serene sunset, occupying the majority of the canvas. It is not merely a portrayal of the sky, nor is it solely an aesthetically pleasing sight. Rather, it serves as a poignant reminder that amidst the complexities of social and political discourse, the inherent natural beauty of the Mexican people and the nation perseveres. It symbolizes the enduring resilience and inherent grace that underpins the multifaceted layers of Mexican society, offering a tranquil and grounding counterpoint to the intricate social and political narratives depicted in the foreground.

Behind these profound and layered meanings, there lies a painting that holds a deeply personal significance for me—it is not merely any painting, but my first. This year has been marked by a series of firsts, a journey characterized by numerous trials and errors. Throughout this transformative process, I held fast to a piece of invaluable advice I received: "Do not be afraid of making mistakes." This guiding principle emboldened me to fearlessly explore and express my artistic vision without reservation. Embracing this ethos, I fearlessly experimented with a myriad of techniques, unearthing new artistic depths and pushing the boundaries of creative expression.

The inception of the project commenced with the utilization of a reference picture of the Torre Latinoamericana as a foundational guide. Leveraging my prior experience in the field of architecture, I employed the two-point 3D sketching technique, a method that I had previously honed throughout my architectural endeavors. This technique revolves around the concept of drawing two points on the same x-axis, spaced apart based on one's desired scale for the drawing. Subsequently, akin to traditional 3D sketching, all vertical lines maintain a 90-degree alignment from the x-axis. However, what sets this technique apart is the stipulation that all other lines must intersect with one of the two specified points, effectively creating a dynamic 3D grid. Incorporating meticulous measurements derived from a reference image, I harnessed the capabilities of the website Canva to meticulously scale the dimensions, ensuring a seamless transferal of precise measurements. During this initial sketching phase, the focus predominantly centered on the Torre Latinoamericana, with the surrounding buildings assuming a comparatively minimal significance within the broader architectural composition.

Following this preliminary phase, I went to buy all the required materials essential for the project. This included the purchase of two 16x20 inch canvases, a 3x2 canvas, a set of three large brushes, two finer brushes, and a comprehensive set of 12 paints, culminating in a total expenditure of $41.69.

Upon finalizing the preparatory phase, I once again turned to Canva, this time commencing by creating a square of the same dimensions as the canvas. Subsequently, I imported an image of the sketch and scaled it to the appropriate size before proceeding to overlay a grid. Once the preparatory work on Canva was completed, an identical scaled grid was replicated on the canvas. With the groundwork firmly established, the initial key points of the tower were carefully transposed onto the canvas using a pencil. Subsequently, the two buildings situated beneath the tower were sketched using an alternative technique, necessitated by spatial constraints. In this instance, I employed the method of Isometric sketching, wherein all vertical lines maintain a 90-degree alignment from the x-axis, while the remaining lines are set at an angle from the x-axis, typically 30 degrees. Drawing inspiration from the surroundings near the tower, the buildings were meticulously crafted to capture the essence of their real-life counterparts.

When making the canvases purchase, three were chosen. Two of the same scale were intended for the final painting, with an additional one serving as a backup. The third canvas, smaller in size, was designated to serve as a testing ground for experimenting with various ideas and techniques.

Following the canvas preparation, tape was meticulously placed on areas where paint was not intended to reach. The sunset, being the largest element to be painted, was the initial focus. A base layer of brown was applied to enhance the subsequent depiction of blues and oranges. Different shades of these colors were delicately blended using a sponge. Subsequently, attention turned to the streets, which were carefully taped off and painted using black and gray hues. A preliminary light brown layer was then applied to all the buildings, except for the tower, which received a darker grey layer to create contrast. The forest was meticulously crafted using a fine tip brush, while the buildings on the right were delicately painted in a manner reminiscent of watercolors, using diluted paint. Second to last the buildings on the left received their final layer of paint. Finally, the tower was finished off with the application of blue shades using the sponge they where then spread out to create glare from the glass. 

I firmly believe that architecture stands as one of the most prominent and influential forms of artwork. Each structure embodies meaning, some overtly apparent, while others, like mine, are symbolic representations laden with profound significance. My personal journey toward becoming an architect mirrors the symbolism and creativity inherent in this piece of artwork, and I am truly grateful to have shared it with all of you. I aspire to continually enhance my skills, with this painting serving as just the inaugural piece in what I hope will be a collection of many more to come. Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to share them below. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for being part of this incredible journey.