As we may know, Robert Franklin Stroud (1890-1963, US), alias “The Birdman of Alcatraz”, was a convicted criminal. He served his time in this prison in the Bay of San Francisco, California. He was a man with significant contrasts. These dichotomies prompted me to create his portrait. I tried to capture the tumultuous events in his life and in the lives of others that crossed their paths with him. — *Robert Stroud, “The Birdman of Alcatraz”*
*Digital Painting*
*2021*
*Collection: The Relentless*

As we may know, Robert Franklin Stroud (1890-1963, US), alias “The Birdman of Alcatraz”, was a convicted criminal. He served his time in the fearsome prison, Alcatraz. He was a singular man, with great contrats. These dicothomies prompted me to make this work. Tragedy marked his life. — *Robert Stroud, “The Birdman of Alcatraz” 2*
*Digital Painting*
*2021*
*Collection: The Relentless*

*Study of an Unknown Inmate 8*
*Oil, crayon on paper*
*48.3 x 61 x 0.1 cm*
*2021*
*Collection: The Relentless*

My interests as an artist include the exploration of eccentric topics, such as this artwork which is based on an US inmate’s mugshot, Walter Turpin (1877-?). In this work, I wanted to portray his turbulent life. — *Head Study 28*
*Oil on paper*
*24 x 32 x 0.1 cm*
*2018*
*Collection: Portraits*
*Post*

I based this artwork on a caption picture taken from a true crime video documentary. This with respect for the implicated people in the case. — *Crime Scene 5*
*Digital Painting*
*2020*
*Collection: The Relentless*
*Video & Post*

Inmate #12
Digital Painting
Proportion: 27 x 21.5 cm
2021
Collection: The Relentless
Video

The turbulent life of the character and his tragic gesture were the elements that provoked me to make up this artwork — *Study of an Inmate. Clarence V. Carnes*
*Digital Painting*
*2021*
*Collection: The Relentless*

I based the work on a true crime documentary where the character had homicidal impulses. As in other artworks, the painting circumscribes, in a close-up format, the deformed face of the inmate. I do the latter to exalt his emotional disturbance. — *Head Study 35*
*Oil on paper*
*28 x 33 x 0.1 cm*
*2017*
*Collection: The Relentless*
*Post*

Drama is a topic in my art imagination. I created the collection “The Relentless”, where, besides painting criminals, I also include the manhunters, who are the professionals who pursue these outlaws. I think they too, are relentless. So, those who fight “monsters” are also part of this collection. I believe their work causes to them profound harm. They become as injured as those they pursue, only different. — *The Persecutor 3*
*Digital Painting*
*45 x 26.7 x 0.1 cm*
*2021*
*Series: The Relentless*

The artwork portraits a turbulent inmate with a long crime history. One topic that calls my interest as an artist is the drama I read on the faces in mugshots. In this case, the fierceful gesture of the character provoked me to make up the two-pieces artwork in a unit. By doing so, I search to create a “speech”, a certain interaction between both works. My work is not an apology to crime. It’s my interpretation of a phenomenon. To see more images of the artwork head over to https://www.instagram.com/p/CQfgMfuH6Rm/ — *Inmate #7*
*Artwork: Oil, acrylic on canvas, Size: 31.5 (W) x 23.6 (H) x 0.1 in*
*Sculpture (head): Plasticine, plaster, cement, acrylic paint, Size: 4.7 (W) x 9.8 (H) x 9.8 (Depth), 8.8 pounds*
*2021*
*Collection:The Relentless. A Thousand Crimes*

Inmate #8
Digital Painting
2021
Collection: The Relentless

One topic that calls my interest as an artist is the drama you see in the faces of the people in mugshots. I stop to reflex upon their lives and motivations that made them take their choices that affected their lives and the lives of the others that crossed their paths with. This mugshot called my attention because of the tragic expression of the man. — *Study of an Unknown Inmate 5*
*Ink on paper*
*24 x 32 x 0.1 cm*
*2019*
*Collection: “The Relentless”*

Title: Study Head 4 Media: Oil and ink on paper Size: 24 x 32 x 0.1 cm Year: 2018 — *Study of an Anonymous Inmate 35*
*Ink on paper*
*24 x 32 x 0.1 cm*
*2005*
*Collection:The Relentless*

The Relentless

You're welcome to this collection.

One thing that calls my attention as an artist is the man and its precarious conditions. So, sickness, pathological behavior, forensics… are just some of the topics I explore. I find them fascinating.

In 2021, I created "The Relentless" where I picture people that have social malfunctions and disorders which drive them to commit crime. The tragedy of their lives and the paths in which they have crossed in the lives of others, are the impulsive elements that compel me to create this series.

I also included in this collection–the manhunters–who are the professionals who pursue these outlaws. I think they too, are relentless. Those who fight "monsters" are also part of this collection because if they "... gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss gazes back on them." (1) I believe the manhunters' work causes to them profound harm. They become as injured as those they pursue, only differently.

My work in this collection isn't an apology for crime, it's my interpretation of the criminal phenomenon.

1 The above quote is a freedom I have allowed myself to use in this context. It's from Friedrich Nietzsche, as we may know. It's also used by Robert Ressler (1937-2013, US), a FBI agent that coined the term "serial killer" during the 1970s. After his government service, Ressler became a crime consultant and author.

My Art Initial Resources

As an artist, I use all the resources I have in hand to create a piece. Some of my tools are oil painting, charcoal, acrylics, digital painting, colored pencils, 3D digital sculpting, clay sculpting, photographs of other creators and stills from true crime documentary videos–giving the artists their due credit, of course–are all good resources for my work.

I've sometimes mixed, very interestingly, acrylics with digital painting, such as in a work I like very much The Deaf Man No. 7. For this painting, I first made up a portrait, The Deaf Man No. 6. I digitized the latter, distorted it in PhotoShop and, using the same software, created the character's body in a pink environment.

Another interesting work using mixed mediums is one I recently created. The work I'm referring to is Inmate No. 7, where I portray my interpretation of the character's life in two different mediums: a painting (oil and acrylic on canvas) and a physical sculpture (plasticine, clay, plaster, cement, and acrylic paint). I present these two artworks as a unit. This to provoke a speech, a certain interaction between both works.

Art Techniques

The techniques I use are traditional (oil and acrylic, crayon, pencil, clay sculpting, etc.) and digital painting (digital tablet, Photoshop, 3D sculpture, etc.).

My Art for Sale (Payments only through PayPal)

ORIGINAL PAINTINGS. Send me an email if you’re interested in acquiring any original painting or visit:

https://sala-marte.com/collections/veronica-huacuja/

saatchiart.com/huacujaveronica

INTERVENED PRINTS BY THE ARTIST. I apply acrylic brush strokes (with no structural changes) on the print, as well as adding my original signature. In this way, the piece becomes unique (like an original) and increases its commercial value (your art investment).
Serial intervened prints: Only 10.

Max. size: 35 inches wide by tall.

I will deliver the print with its Certification of Authenticity (COA), and protected with non-acid wax paper, rolled and packed in a wooden crate.

Ask me for a quote through an email

REGULAR PRINTS. If you’re interested in regular prints, send me an email.

Other activity: Online Art Instruction

I’m an online art instructor for company groups–to reduce stress and enrich their lives using MINDFULNESS–and individuals. So, for those interested, head over to patreon.com/veronicahuacuja or contact me through art@veronica.mx

I teach in traditional or digital techniques: portraits, human and animal body at rest and in movement, landscapes, still life, etc.

I invite you too to read “Why Become my Patron" (first button on the right).

Your Comments

If you have any comments or questions please send me an email. I'll be happy to answer ASP.

My Social Media

Instagram: veronicahuacuja

Twitter: HuacujaVeronica

Facebook: veronicahuacuja

Youtube: Veronica Fine Art

email: art@veronica

Thank you for visiting and reading this section: Collection: The Relentless.