Anaya nieto

I've always loved to paint.

As far back as I can remember, creating art brought me joy, clarity, and a deep sense of connection. But for most of my life, whenever someone asked the inevitable question­"Do you paint as well?"-1 hesitated. Saying yes meant more than just acknowledging a passion. It meant stepping into a legacy. It meant opening myself up to comparisons with my father, John Nieto-a man whose work I admired not only as his child but as an artist. Even if I weren't his son, I know he would've been one of my greatest inspirations. His shoes felt enormous, and the idea of inviting that comparison was, for a long time, terrifying.

When my father passed, the questions only grew louder. Would I paint? Was it something I still loved? And the truth is-yes. I never stopped loving it. But I buried that love. I protected it. I kept it hidden, afraid that my own voice might never be heard over the echo of his. But time has changed me. I've grown into my own style. I've let my influences guide me rather than define me. And what has emerged is a body of work that feels wholly mine-work rooted in my heritage, in pride, in strength.

Like my father, I am deeply connected to my culture. It is the soul of what I do. Through my art, I hope to honor the stories, the beauty, and the spirit of my ancestors. This is my way of saying: We are still here. We are still strong. We are still beautiful. And while that connection will always live at the heart of my work, I also look forward to expanding­exploring new subjects, experimenting with form, and crossing into themes that reflect the full spectrum of who I am. My style is a bridge: between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation, between where I come from and where I'm going.

So now, with joy and confidence, I can finally say: Yes, I am a painter too. And it is my honor to share my work with you. I hope it brings light into your life, and I hope it pays

tribute to all those who came before me-especially the one who first taught me what art could truly mean.

-Anaya Nieto