Artistic Statement

Artistic Statement

I grew up in a small town in Southern California, a husky gay Mexican-American kid who
couldn't speak Spanish to save his life. The town was devoid of sophistication and well-intentioned
people, but was always the home of magic and mystery. This fascination with our reality, the one
beyond, and the one in between has been a driving force in my writing.
I build worlds that are seemingly our own on the surface, then blend in fantastical elements to
test boundaries and express the absurdity of our own accepted truth. My writing explores stories that
have been missed, stories of people like me: Queer People of Color, people struggling with identity,
and those searching for meaning and hope in despair. I also find that humor and misery go hand in hand
in my writing, just as in life, for fear of taking myself too seriously.
Since moving to Chicago in 2013 I have had original work produced in various festivals, sketch
comedy shows, and a podcast. I have been lucky and blessed to have friends on this journey who have
helped me get my work up and on it's feet, starting with the founding of our company, El Bear in 2014.