Creating 1,000 Works of Digital Art Against the Odds

Original Story publised on JorgeDiaries.Substack.com

Every so often, an artist’s story transcends their medium, becoming a testament to the power of human will and the unyielding pursuit of passion. PaposoArt is one such story—a digital art project and brand born from both creativity and extraordinary resilience.

My father has always been creating art, exploring different mediums and styles throughout his life. A few years ago, as his eyesight began to fail, we could all see the toll it was taking on him. He was sad, maybe even a bit angry, as he faced the loss of something so essential to his identity. It was the height of the pandemic, and while my sister managed things in Costa Rica with her usual amazing grace, I stayed connected from afar through FaceTime, searching for ways to help him find new purpose.

A Mission Fueled by Determination

One day, during one of our conversations, the tough subject of digital art came up. We agreed that if he created the pieces, I would build a website and try to share and sell them online. Somehow, in my father’s mind, he set himself an ambitious goal: to create 1,000 pieces and then stop. With his mind and objective locked in, he moved ahead with determination. Over the next 18 months, the artist behind PaposoArt produced more than two digital artworks per day. This ambitious project would be impressive under any circumstances, but what makes it truly extraordinary is that, despite medical help, my father’s sight continued to deteriorate over that period.

Art as Inspiration and Defiance

PaposoArt’s digital abstracts are more than just colorful images; they are expressions of movement, emotion, and transformation. Each piece is a celebration of life’s unpredictability, inviting viewers to look closer and discover hidden depths. Just like his determination, his process is unique—he created his pieces using only his fingers on an iPhone 8 Plus, and sometimes on an iPad Mini, using the standard basic paint application. Even as his eyesight challenged him daily, his creativity remained undimmed, and his output only grew more prolific.

Strength in Adversity

What stands out most about PaposoArt is not just the art itself, but the spirit behind it. Continuing to create while facing a degenerative eye condition is an act of defiance against limitation. I am super proud of him—not only for creating all of these pieces, but for his tenacity, commitment, and sheer willpower to keep going in the face of adversity. Each new artwork is a victory—a testament to his strong will and refusal to let adversity define his story.

My father is now 89 years old and has been legally blind for two years. This was his last big project, and I feel he poured everything into it despite the immense challenge. The very sense most critical to his craft was under threat, but he continued to produce vibrant, abstract digital pieces with unwavering commitment. He still lives independently in his apartment, prepares his own food, waters (and talks to) his plants, and even cleans a little, despite his extremely limited sight. Amazing and inspirational for sure.

A Legacy in Color and Courage

His journey serves as an inspiration to anyone facing their own challenges—including me. My wife deeply admires his talent, strength, and the beautiful work he has created, holding him in great respect. His art is a vivid reminder that creativity knows no boundaries and that the human spirit can shine brightest in the face of difficulty.

PaposoArt’s story is proof that true artistry is measured not only by what is created, but by the courage it takes to create it. His commitment to his craft, even as he battles his eye disease, is a powerful example of how strong will and passion can illuminate the world—one colorful, moving artwork at a time.

As for me, and through my own experience in the past couple of months, I must confess that I truly feel bad that I haven’t been able to successfully promote his art in the way it deserves. We setup an Instagram account, a website, an Etsy Store, and a few other online things. We printed a couple of samples, one on canvas, another in metal (which turned out – wow!), but then “life” happened and it fell out of priority. Despite my admiration for his creativity and resilience, I know there’s so much more I could do to help share his work with a wider audience. It’s something that weighs on me, and I hope to find better ways to honor his talent and legacy in the future.

My father’s name is Jorge Eduardo Pereira, and he is an artist! I hope you’ll take a moment to explore his work at PaposoArt.com