TITLE

Parrots and Parakeets

ARTIST

Esmeralda Benitez & Nelda Flores

CREATED

May 2019

LOCATION

Bicentennial and Nolana

ABOUT THIS PIECE

“Parrots and Parakeets” was created as a collaboration with Esmeralda's sister, Nelda Flores. The design was simply to capture these beautiful, rambunctious, yet lovable “McAllen Residents”

ABOUT THIS ARTIST

Esmeralda Benitez, artist and retired art teacher, describes herself as a contemporary realist or a contemporary expressionist, either way nature is most often her subject of choice. “I just think nature or natural objects say it best” explains Esmeralda. I do like to explore a wide variety of subjects, styles and themes but still, I gravitate to nature. Presently Esmeralda resides in McAllen with her Husband, David. She has 2 adult sons, 2 amazing daughter’s in law and 3 beautiful grandchildren.



On each of the 4 irrigation pipes that she painted, “Parrots, Parakeets”(collaboration with Nelda Flores), “Sunflowers and Bees,” “Hummingbirds and Flowers and “McAllen’s Beautiful Walking Trails.” Esmeralda added stylized elements to present her vision in a “fresh” way. She says,“I have truly enjoyed painting each one of these pipes. I am extremely thankful to “Keep McAllen Beautiful’ for their continued support of community art and artists. She adds, “my greatest joy came through my conversations with the wonderful people who walked up and shared their stories and words of encouragement!!