Francisco Palomares: Painting a Visual Diary of Downtown LA | S3E22

Liz sits down with East LA-born painter Francisco Palomares in his downtown LA studio for a conversation about art, migration, and belonging. Francisco walks through paintings inspired by childhood car rides with his mom through the fashion and flower districts, his 2022 piece “City of Inmates,” and the piñata paintings that explore both celebration and what it feels like to be “the other.” He shares how a high school teacher's encouragement led him to Ryman Arts and a scholarship at USC, how his mother's journey from Michoacán inspired his “Homage to My Mothers” series, and why he sees vulnerability as essential to being an artist. The conversation closes with Francisco's rapid-fire favorites and his reflections on the small, everyday moments that bring him joy.