Ricardo Islas

The Artist

Ricardo Islas is a San Diego visual artist whose work draws on Mexican and Chicano culture, working-class experiences, and everyday life along the U.S.–Mexico border. Raised in Calexico, he grew up crossing the border to spend time with friends and family, an experience that continues to shape his understanding of community. Over 26 years as a professional artist, Islas has exhibited in galleries nationally and internationally, as well as museums. He works primarily in acrylic on canvas or wood, also using oils, ink, markers, and pencil. His paintings bring together familiar people, cultural objects, humor, and historical references while addressing issues such as racism and gentrification. After years balancing art-making with full-time work as a mechanic, he now works as a full-time artist. He seeks to preserve community stories and make his art accessible to wider audiences.

Ricardo Islas

The Project

Ricardo Islas will create a line of Chicano greeting cards that reflects the language, humor, memories, and everyday experiences of border communities. Combining original artwork with English, Spanish, Spanglish, and familiar slang, the cards will mark occasions ranging from major celebrations to small, meaningful moments. Drawing on family archives, elders’ memories, and daily life, Islas will incorporate imagery such as Mexican candy, traditional kitchen tools, clothing styles, and lowrider culture. His aim is to create cards that feel personally recognizable to people whose experiences are often missing from mainstream designs. The project expands his painting practice into print, graphic design, and written storytelling. He will explore how images and words work together to convey humor, affection, nostalgia, and cultural identity. Islas plans to introduce the cards through local pop-up shops, gallery events, and community spaces. Affordable and intended to be shared, they will bring his artwork into everyday exchanges between friends and relatives. The project will also establish a small creative business to support his practice, with the long-term goal of collaborating with other visual artists and writers.

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