Live at San Francisco International Airport 2026

On October 21, 2026, I spent eight hours live painting at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), creating a tribute to Día de los Muertos.

At the heart of the painting is a giant Forever Stamp, symbolizing the importance of making our ancestral traditions and community celebrations larger, more visible, and forever present.

A Catrina visits San Francisco alongside an alebrije, a fantastical creature from Mexican folk art, surrounded by candles, pan de muerto, papel picado, and marigolds (cempasúchil)—celebrating the lives and memories of those no longer with us.

Thousands of travelers witnessed the creation of this piece. During its three-week exhibition, approximately 15,000 people are expected to pass through the airport each day.

Special thanks to Lindsey Crawford for her wonderful help and support.

Live at San Francisco International Airport 2025

On October 17, 2025, I performed a live painting session in San Francisco, creating a work titled Catrina-Corazón. This piece was dedicated to Día de los Muertos, an ancestral celebration honoring the cycle of life and remembrance. Over the course of four and a half hours, the artwork came to life in front of the public, engaging viewers in the creative process. During the days it was on display in San Francisco, the piece was seen by more than 15,000 visitors dayli, connecting the community with this vibrant cultural tradition.

Special thanks to Lindsey Crawford for attending and helping me bring this painting to life.

Live at San Francisco International Airport 2024

Skull Butterfly / Acrylic on canvas / 72 x 192 in/ Painted live at San Francisco International Airport, this mural honors life and death, featuring a skull and monarch butterfly to symbolize ancestral connection and transformation. Celebrating Day of the Dead, it engaged over 15,000 passengers in reflection on life’s cyclical nature. Thanks to kata Miletich for her help.

Live at San Francisco International Airport 2023

On October 25, 2023, Adrian created Ancestral Hummingbird, a live art performance at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), over the course of four and a half hours, honoring Día de los Muertos. The artwork was subsequently exhibited for four weeks, reaching an airport audience of over 15,000 passengers daily.

Some sessions with Bobby McFerrin and Motion at The Freight in Berkeley, 2023-2026

LIve Painting at the Book Fair Gala in Berkeley

Thanks to the Director of Book Fair Gala, J. K. Fowler, and all staff of this great institution. Here the 3 pieces created live in less tahn one hour:

Live Painting with The John Santos Sextet & Friends

Live painting with the Afro-Caribbean music with The John Santos Sextet & Friends on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 8:00 PM. This special concert brings together an all-star lineup led by seven-time Grammy-nominated percussionist, Mission district native and cultural historian John Santos, whose artistry and deep-rooted knowledge of Latin music have made him a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s vibrant scene.
Musicians: Dr. John Calloway, Marco Díaz, David Flores, Charlie Gurke, Saul Sierra, and John Santos—along with an extraordinary roster of special guests: Orestes Vilató, Anthony Blea, Destani Wolf, Rico Pabón, Christelle Durandy, Pedro Pastrana, Javier Navarrette, Juan Luis Pérez, Marcel Joao Santos, and Kata Miletich from LoCura music group.

Two Live Paintings Created at A Dark Matter: Coffee Concert

In this ephemeral dialogue between sound and color, I painted two live works as the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble performed a transcendent program, including A Dark Matter, Unearth, Steep Steps, Equinox, and other evocative compositions.

Guided by the vibrations of oboe, flute, piano, clarinet, and guitar, my brush became an extension of the music, translating its energy and emotion onto canvas. Each stroke was born from the resonance of the moment, allowing the invisible frequencies of sound to manifest in form and texture.

These paintings are not mere representations, but living echoes of the music’s soul—visual poems that capture the impermanence and beauty of a shared experience. They stand as humble testaments to the profound connection that arises when sound and vision merge, and the boundaries between artist and audience dissolve.

They were created on: Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Berkeley Hillside Club and Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Noe Valley Ministry. sponsored by the Center for the Arts & Religion at the Graduate Theological Union.

Live painting at the Berkeley City College “Call & Response – Live!”. October 1st, 2024

Celebrating the Latinx/Indigenous imagination featuring live music and live painting, with all participating artists interacting with each other to create a live, multi-sensory experience in the moment. Featuring visual artist Adrian Arias and musicians PC Muñoz & Javier Navarrette.

Now this piece “Ancestor of fire and water” is part of the permanent collection of the Berkeley City College.

Live painting in recent years:

At Machina Locci in Berkeley, November 17, 2020.

Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, presentation of Tarot in Pandemic & Revolution. In the picture La Tania Flamenco dancer. December 31, 2021

Yerba Buena Gardens

with LoCura Music, May 22, 2022.

Oakland Museum

in collaboration with Susan Mathews and Cece Carpio, presentation of Tarot in Pandemic & Revolution. In the picture, poet and singer songwriter Kata Miletich reading a poem. December 10, 2022.