Lead Yourself
Acrylic on wood
Lead Yourself is a personal statement about taking charge and fighting through adversity toward your life’s purpose. Golden swords of conflict stab at the charging bull, narrowly deflected by protective nopales representing the artist’s roots. Their thorns are the traumas that once cut him, but through growth have become the lessons that now serve to protect him as he moves forward with confidence. The bull holds his own rope, in control of his future.
Juan Navarro
Founder of the Eastside Arthouse, Juan Navarro is an artist working primarily in acrylics and spray paints to create large-scale murals and fine art paintings while balancing his entrepreneurial work and growing family. The Eastside neighborhood of Riverside holds over a dozen revitalizing art installations and murals led by Juan with input and guidance from the community. Through Eastside Arthouse, Juan endeavors to create sustainable practices for full-time artists to thrive in Southern California. He has worked on projects funded by both non-profit and commercial businesses such as the National Endowment of the Arts, California Arts Council, Riverside Community Health Foundation, U.S. Bank, Verizon, Macy’s, Altura, and the City of Riverside. Navarro is currently featured as Artist-in-Residence at the Riverside Art Museum and was a highlighted muralist during The Cheech Grand Opening.
