In trying to build and grow as an artist, I am trying to build on the content I create. I've illustrated 2 #PuertoRicanCharacters (which you can see in my profile) and felt the best way to symbolize their relationship and connection was by illustrating iconic locales of where they were from. On the left, you see #ElMorro, an iconic symbol of #PuertoRico, and the #FreedomTower of Manhattan on the right, both of which are immediately recognizable by Natives of both islands. I finished this in time to donate it to the #AmericanLibraryAssociation at their conference, as a means to help promote and spread the message of love from our people. My desire with creating #AReasontoSmile (the book which my character stars in; @AReasontoSmileBooks) is to learn and share more about my ancestors, and spread the positivity that we have in our culture to counteract the negative stereotypes that pop culture has spread. We are more than that. #WeAreMainstream . . . #bori #boriqua #boricua #Borinquen #puertorican #puertoricanart #boriquaart #boricuaart #graphicnovels #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookart #comicart #watercolor #watercolours #watercolorpainting #watercolorart #watercolorillustration #watercolor_art #painting #landscapepainting #PuertoRicanArtist #JavierCruzWinnik https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rOX4nl7ZD/?igshid=zp7bpwsf4o9r