The Los Angeles cartoonist makes waves online with paintings called “Summer of Ice.”
“Occasionally, images take off,” said award-winning, nationally syndicated artist Lalo Alcaraz, acknowledging that the title is actually a play of words.
“ICE” refers to immigration customs enforcement, a federal agency that has been responsible for large-scale detention, arrest and deportation acts across the country since President Donald Trump took office.
Alcaraz said his paintings were inspired by one photo, especially posted on the GofundMe page of one immigrant family.
Alcaraz wanted a photo, and has shared it millions and millions of times online since his first appearance, reaching even more audiences, his fanbase.
“I thought, ‘This deserves promotion,'” Alkaraz said.
In “Summer of Ice,” Kurt appears lonely and sad, and its owner is nowhere to be seen. It tells the story of the sudden, terrifying effects of such adduction, with thousands of predominantly Latinos immigrants being held by masked, armed men without a name tag.
Alkaraz said he was asking questions. If you can snap a mildly managed ice cream vendor on the street, what about other people in the US?
“I don’t know how legal this is,” Alkaraz said, sitting in a studio depicting the nationally syndicated cartoon strip, Rakkaracha. “I’ve only been attacked by these masked men.”
Currently, painting prints are available for sale on the Alcaraz website. He arranges to send a portion of the proceeds to Lozano’s family in an attempt to drive him out of federal custody in another state.
Alcaraz, as a general rule, does not discuss business with reporters, but has admitted that sales are active. “I’ve sold quite a few prints, and they’re still coming in,” he said.
Source link
