My Totem series started in physical form, using acrylic on canvas. I enjoyed that medium a lot for this series, but once I started getting into basic digital design using Photoshop and Illustrator, I began to see the potential that I really wanted to capture with this series. My initial goal from the start was to imagine standing in front of massive totem poles carved by First Nation tribes. I have always admired the grandiose and intricate architecture of the Pacific Northwest tribal artform, as a child presented with the history through modern textbook. To capture the same feeling I get from this beautiful art, I imagine walls filled upward as high as the ceiling with stacked pieces one on top of another. I don't show art much these days, so to capture a similar aesthetic, I've designed this simple design layout to stack my pieces as high as I can with as many totems as possible. But first, I want to start my introduction off by stating that I am not a descendent of the First Nations people.

My name is Joseph Baca and I welcome you to my Totem series. This series is especially important to me for several reasons that I wish to outline here. Born in Albuquerque, NM my parents witnessed the potential struggles raising a family in the city of Albuquerque and opportunity was presented in Orange County, CA. We moved when I was three and my sister Julianne was one. We lived in Placentia on La Jolla Street, an area considered to most in the surrounding areas as "less than safe". A predominantly hispanic neighborhood, my parents were cautious in our upbringing and due to circumstances of the time, they raised us separate from our hispanic roots. I appreciate them for thinking of our future at this time and their heart has always been in the right place when raising us, but the truth is that we were deprived of our Mexican culture and language so that we would be able to fit in with American culture and society. We were whitewashed and conditioned to prevent as much discrimination towards us as possible. I have come to find that this was a very common occurence of the time.

My father, Albert Baca, was born in the small town of Belen, NM and his lineage ranges from Spanish and Mexican and small percentages of Indigenous tribes of the area. Me and my sister grew up listening to his large tales about his ancestral background and the who's who of his "Great great greats...". A lineage test later on in life would only prove how tiny of a percentage his Indigenous roots were. My mother, Jo Ann Baca, has been a larger puzzle to solve. She found out in her late teens that she had been adopted. The news reset everything she knew. It wasn't until later on in her life, when we were in our teens, that she made any attempt to contact her birthmother. As we frequented travel to Albuquerque, sometimes a couple of times a year throughout my childhood, on one visit, she had received a call with the proposal to meet her birthmother. So, we sought out Candy Lucero in Monte Vista, Colorado and we would fill a void of our history that we never knew was absent.

Candy Lucero was sixty-six years of age when she passed away. She gave birth to twenty-two surviving children, my mother included. We had the pleasure of meeting her twice before she passed. I will not share any more of her life, as it is not mine to share, but share my mother's appreciation to Candy for adopting her to two loving parents that were able to provide for her. This peace was shared with Candy in both of our family's meetings with her and that we have complete gratitude towards her. What we would further learn from her is that she was 100% Ute and Navajo. This would change our family dynamic and culture tremendously. We have gone on to meet a number of my mother's siblings as well, strengthening our own family tree. But, most importantly we have received answers to questions we didn't even know we had. Due to my mother's adoption status, it has been difficult to declare with either the Ute or Navajo Nations.

I am a Native American without a tribe and a Mexican without a language, but I am not lost. I listen and I learn through my experiences with others and with other cultures whether it be art, food, language, family practices,

My intent to share my story is for complete transparency. My main point is that I hope that my naming this series "Totem" does not offend any Pacific Northwest First Nations tribes. I only hope to use my art for good, to enrich culture and present a take on Natvie American culture from an outsider that very much wants to be in. I do not seek to make profit off of my Totem series. Any sales from this series will be donated in full to tribes across the United States and Canada. Please enjoy and contact me with any comments, questions or concerns.

With love,

Joseph Baca