Did you receive the postcard for Raíz in the mail yet? Isn’t the artwork terrific? It’s by Jesus Kobe, a mural painter who has lived in Portland and is currently traveling the world. We asked Jesus to tell us a little more about his background:

“My first experiences with paint were at age 14 painting graffiti around my native state Oaxaca, Mexico. Painting has allowed my to explore difference places in Mexico as well as outside of the country.  I painted around the west coast of the United States from 2007 to 2011 and in Nicaragua in the spring of 2012.  Currently, I am painting around Europe (Spain, Germany, France) and Israel, developing more contacts, creating more murals, and collaborating with many different artists in each of these places. Although my art is constantly evolving, my paintings are highly influenced by meso-american symbols and traditions.”

“Mis primeras experiencias con la pintura era los 14 anos pintando graffiti alrededor de oaxaca, mexico,cual es mi  estado  natal.  La pintura me  a llevado  a salir  de un solo espacio  y continuar pintando en diferentes lugares de mexico  y fuera del pais.  Pinte en los estados unidos al rededor de la costa oeste (2007-2011) y en nicaragua(2012).  Por  el momento, estoy pintando  al rededor de europa (espana ,alemania, francia) y en israel desarrollando mas contactos, creando murales, y colaborando con muchos artistas diferentes en todos estos lugares. Aunque mi arte siempre esta envuelto, mis pinturas estan influenciadas por los symbolos y las tradiciones meso-americanas.”