La Guarachera

Celia Cruz

Acrylic on Canvas

42 x 56 inches

© 2003 Julio Blanco

I remember the day I conceived the idea of tapping into her charisma for a McDonalds Campaign "Buen ambiente y Gran Sabor" I was having dinner in NYC with my producer Rene Glicklisch and she got the wheels in motion. Much to my surprize she agreed and off we went to Los Angeles to film her with Luis Palomo who directed the spots. It was the most memorable television commercials I have ever been involved with. The day she died I set out to paint this portrait of her which I think is one of the best ones I have seen. I took a lot of work and at times I thought I could not do it. But after a lot of blood and guts spilled on the canvas she allowed me to capture her image. Thank you Pablo Carreño for the support whom I shared a studio with his guidance and inspiration were key in this portrait. for more portraits visit www.onemansho.com