Carlos Donjuan “Tiger Paleta” Levi’s Trucker Jacket

Hand painted by artist Carlos Donjuan.

All proceeds to benefit local organizations: Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Friends of the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, and Spin The Spectrum

The Tiger Paleta is a design rooted in my upbringing and exposure to fine art, graffiti, tattoos, Pre-Columbian Art and the Chicano Culture to name a few. I started working with the image of the Paleta in 2000 as an homage to the Latino working class community I saw growing up in Oak Cliff. This image to me represented the unity, power, and joy that I felt from seeing our community embrace their heritage and culture through their unique experiences. Through the many challenges that our communities face, they still find the strength to persevere. The tiger is my tribute to the tattoo world especially to one of my late mentors, Walter Boog Brown. Because of his guidance and support, I was able to build a work ethic and dedication to my art practice that has taken places I could never have imagined. Ultimately, with this piece I strive to document my experiences and create visuals that will narrate a story that will hopefully uplift and inspire.