jp maestas is an artist with family roots in the northern new mexico region for many generations.

as a child, jp used to love sitting with old people and hearing their stories. he  enjoyed talking with anyone but he found that old people have more time and would tell better stories. 

in his travels, jp grew to see the northern new mexico / southern colorado region as the birthplace of his name and family culture. in this region, the name maestas is recognized. 

 jp also observed that being a maestas in this region carries with it certain assumptions that he routinely violates:

"that's not how you pronounce maestas"

"you don't sound like a maestas"

"you know you are white, right?"

"you don't look like a maestas"

'you don't speak spanish?"

this project is a reaction by jp to the feelings of both acceptance and rejection his name generates.

jp also still likes sitting with people and having them share their stories. in jp's family, so many stories are not shared because of justified distrust. he wanted to create a place where our family might feel comfortable to share. it is so important to pass our stories on, with all of the good and bad, so the next generation can see that they are still connected to those that came before. 

jp also hates designing websites, which is why this is so simple.