Daisy Velasco
En Mi Casa
September 6 -October 4, 2025
Blue Roof Residency
7329 S. Broadway Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90003
This summer, Claudia Pretelin, founder and curator of Instruments of Memory, was invited by the Blue Roof residency to participate in an inspiring mentorship program designed to support artist-in-residence Daisy Velasco.
Velasco, a talented first-generation Mexican-American painter, creates evocative works “that explore the intricate intersections of family, tradition, and psychological drama.” She describes her artistic process by saying, “In my narrative paintings, I draw from the emotions stirred by a chaotic home environment, where disruption and male dominance are prevalent themes.”
From June to September 2025, Pretelin and Velasco, both proudly rooted in their Mexican heritage, forged meaningful connections while delving into Velasco’s artistic journey. Together, they examined her personal history, the influence of family dynamics, and the significance of weaving memories and cultural traditions into the fabric of her paintings. During the residency, the artist and mentor engaged in both in-person and virtual meetings at Daisy’s studio in South Los Angeles. As part of exploring other artists’ practices, they visited the downtown Los Angeles studio of Louisiana-born artist Stephon Senegal, whose work splits between Los Angeles and his hometown.
For the exhibition En Mi Casa, Velasco reveals an exciting and dynamic body of work intricately developed during her residency. This display showcases a series of strikingly vibrant paintings alongside a meticulously crafted 3D papier-mâché installation, which serves not only as a medium but also as a metaphor, intertwining the threads of personal memories with rich cultural traditions. In her paintings, Velasco weaves together narratives that explore both personal interiors and the outer realms of familial spaces. She begins her creative process with photography, capturing fleeting moments and emotions, then transforms this documentation into her own evocative tales. Within her canvases, bodiless figures emerge, hauntingly alive, as they navigate the complex landscapes of her artistic vision, inviting viewers to explore the interplay between memory and identity.
Blue Roof Studios, founded in 2016 by Los Angeles-based artist Galia Linn, is a multidisciplinary art hub located in South Los Angeles. It invites artists to work in an environment that fosters creativity and community through studio residencies, mentorship, and public programs. Providing women artists with a studio of their own and the financial resources needed to freely explore, investigate, and create in a dedicated, safe space.
Daisy Velasco is a Los Angeles-based painter. In her narrative paintings, she draws from the emotions evoked by a chaotic home environment, where disruption and male dominance are common. The process of creating her work often involves photographing her family and drawing on theatrical practices. She explores visual anomalies within familiar environments, from her home to her slightly off-kilter backyard. These surreal distortions are inspired by a Mexican family household. The composition she creates challenges the expectations of how space can be occupied, reflecting on both the beauty and complexity of her upbringing. These elements play a significant role in the psychological encounter between figures and their environment. La Familia (family) is incredibly important in Mexican culture; it embodies a sense of dignity, honor, and a deep respect for its traditions.
