Beginning on April 15th, La Peña presents “Pinto y Pinto/ I Paint and Paint”. Pinto y Pinto is an exhibition of acrylic and mixed media work by Chicana artist Carmen Rodriguez Sonnes. The opening reception will be taking place on Friday, April 15th from 6-8 pm at La Peña Gallery.

Originally from South Texas, Carmen moved to Austin in 1976 to attend school and became active in the Chicano Art Movement. The daughter of migrant farm workers, Carmen taught herself to draw very early in life and continues teaching herself art at home and through workshops. Carmen moved to the Northwest --Oregon/Washington-- in 1985, where she finished raising her son, married, and happily continues painting.

"Very simply, my art is an utterly public view of my most naked, intimate self, my soul. It is where I reveal what I cannot convey in word or action. I've taken to calling my paintings prayers, because each is a meditation of sorts; extremely personal but put out to the universe and, thus, universal."