"It often feels as though we, the Native American people of America, have been overlooked and marginalized. We're often reduced to myths or treated as if we no longer exist. This sense of elusiveness is perpetuated by the lack of education in school textbooks about our diverse cultures and history. Unfortunately, we're frequently grouped together as a singular entity, when in reality, we are comprised of many distinct tribes, each with its unique languages, traditions and ceremonies depending on our origins on these lands.

Bartolomé de las Casas's "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies" was a difficult read, a bitter pill to swallow. When I read, I have the ability to visualize the text as if it were a movie unfolding in my mind. I can explore the scenes, choosing which ones to bring to life on canvas, a practice I apply to all my paintings. This unique process also guided the creation of "13 Sins in the Name of Christ."

For me, "13 Sins in the Name of Christ" became a means of self-healing, a way to grapple with and process these troubling historical events through art. I firmly believe that healing necessitates the unearthing of truth, even when that truth is painful or harsh. Unfortunately, many school textbooks tend to sugarcoat or selectively present history, glossing over uncomfortable realities.

It's disheartening that, for many, the only exposure to Native Americans comes from inaccurate portrayals in fantasy westerns, where indigenous people are depicted as incapable of speaking English properly, often scantily clad, and stereotypically wielding hatchets, all while settlers conveniently omit acknowledging that they are occupying stolen land.

The accounts of atrocities chronicled in historical records, such as Bartolomé de las Casas's "A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies," confront the Indigenous with millions of lives lost at the hands of individuals who crossed oceans to commit these acts. It's a painful truth that cannot be ignored.

Please be aware that the paintings depicting Columbus's arrival in the Americas contain graphic and violent content, viewer discretion advised."