"Hibiscus"
"Camellias"
"Vase of Tulips"
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artwork by Abdiel Pargas
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SOUTHERN PEOPLE AND SOUTHERN PLACES INSPIRE THIS ARTISTIC DOCTOR FROM CUBA
I was born in the city of Matanzas, Cuba. I went to medical school, practicing as a general doctor for almost 6 years. I came to the South over 10 years ago, with very little knowledge about this country and the language.
Before I continue, I have to thank my mother Dr. Lerida Rodriguez. She is a strong woman, and she worked hard to give my brother and me the chance to have a better life in this country.
Abdiel Pargas and his mother
I started working in a medical office when I came to Marietta, Georgia. My coworkers received me with open arms and made me feel like this was my new home. They introduced me to the ways of the South little
by little, and I learned a few expressions from this area while improving my language. They introduced me to southern cooking, and they showed me this is a place full of good hearted people.
I entered the world of art in 2004. The South influenced my artwork since the beginning and still does. I have worked in oils, acrylics, watercolor, mixed media, collage & photography.
The well-defined four seasons were something completely new for me, especially spring and fall. The tones of the Georgia forest during the fall had a big impact in some of my paintings.
The spring in the South amazed me with all the blooming and the multicolor flowers everywhere. The variety and the beauty of the flowers in the South inspired me to create some paintings of my collection: Acrylic Blossoms.
I visited Kennesaw Mountain and learned about the Civil War. I chose this mountain for the birthplace of the main character of a children's story I wrote called The Story of Pedro. The story is about a Summer Tanager pigeon who was born in the body of the oldest oak of the forest, which was between two iron cannons left behind from the battle on the mountain.
This story thus begins in a forest of Georgia, on the great mountain of Kennesaw during the spring of 1960. The same mountain served as support to a great battle during the American civil war 150 years ago. The story follows Pedro as he grows into a beautiful adult Summer Tanager whose feathers all turn completely red.
I am grateful to be showing my work in art galleries—that is a dream come true, allowing me to grow as an artist from the South.