A Brief History of Cuba con Leche

Cuba...

Cuba has been described as the gem of the Caribbean with its mist-shrouded mountains, orchid-filled forests and astounding European architecture springing up unexpectedly in the tropics. At the turn of the 20th century, the capital city, Havana, was one of the grandest and most important Latin American city in terms of architecture. The buildings from this boom period, known as vacas gordas (fat cows), demonstrate the international influences of art nouveau, art deco and eclectic. Havana was the most popular exotic destination for Americans during the forty years between World War I and Castro's revolution. The sensuous Havana of the '50s, where Frank Sinatra sang at the Tropicana and Ernest Hemingway dined at El Floridita, was a playground made of glittering nightclubs, outrageous cabarets, all-night bars, and backstreet brothels.

...con Leche (with milk)

The name Cuba con Leche is derived from a twist of the common Cuban request for a cup of coffee, café con leche. This title is the essence for the running theme found in every original painting of the collection where the island of Cuba and a coffee mug are illustrated in various styles. The logo of a milking cow shows the island of Cuba integrated into the pattern of its fur along with a coffee mug in place of a cow bell. Surrounded by tobacco leaves, the cow is seen in front of a landscape from the eastern tip of Cuba known as Oriente province. It is believed that this was the area where Christopher Columbus first landed and discovered Cuba in 1492 stating: "the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen".

Cuba con Leche™ celebrates the interesting culture and history of the beautiful island of Cuba. Artist Rick Garcia is of Cuban heritage, and has created this collection to bring attention to a most unique island where a past and future lies of amazing proportions.

For Garcia, Cuba embodies a vast amount of visual images which inspires him to create paintings where he combines the nostalgic era with a contemporary bright pop art style. Architecture, vintage cars, music, color, and a variety of other aspects come together in these dynamic compositions.

Prints suitable for framing are signed and available in various sizes.

To inquire about purchasing an original painting or print, please contact Rick via his e-mail address.

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