Jose Renewing his Vows
Tualatin, Oregon ~ 2019
Oil on Canvas
30" x 24"
Jose grew up in the North Bronx, in New York City. At a young age, Jose knew he had several café au lait spots but was always told they were birthmarks. He was born with NF1, passed onto him from his father. His doctor never brought it up, and his family had a very little understanding of it. Jose would wear a t-shirt in the pool because other children would ask him about his spots, and that made him very sad. They would taunt him, and say many hurtful things. It wasn’t until his teenage years when he started developing confidence in his appearance. It wasn’t until he was a teenager that he knew he also had NF.
Years later, life brought him to the Pacific Northwest, and he resides in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. He has been married to his wife Stephanie since 2008, and they have three girls: Dalia, Shea, and Izabella. Shea and Izabella also have NF1. The Torres family has worked hard to create more NF awareness. They worked with a local dance academy to put on a recital/fundraiser that raised thousands of dollars for the CTF. Although the tumors have become numerous in Jose’s adult life, NF1 has not stopped him from loving life. Stephanie and Jose are raising their children with that same attitude. When Jose isn’t spending time with his family, he is enjoying his job as the Associate Director of Sales and Training for Oregon Market, a large retail company.
The painting is of Jose, on one of the best days of his life, Sept 18, 2018. He is renewing his vows with his wife of 10 years. She has not only been the best life partner he could have, but she has become a voice, and force creating NF awareness in the community. Ten years ago, Jose’s mother was suffering from terminal cancer, it was very important for them both that his mother see them get married.
Jose encourages everyone with NF to not let NF alone define them, and seek out what makes him or her happy. He fully understands the difficulty that NF can cause in people’s lives, and hopes that one day it is a thing of the past. He encourages all NF fighters to keep fighting, and spread the word. He believes that through awareness, we can find a cure.
Years later, life brought him to the Pacific Northwest, and he resides in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. He has been married to his wife Stephanie since 2008, and they have three girls: Dalia, Shea, and Izabella. Shea and Izabella also have NF1. The Torres family has worked hard to create more NF awareness. They worked with a local dance academy to put on a recital/fundraiser that raised thousands of dollars for the CTF. Although the tumors have become numerous in Jose’s adult life, NF1 has not stopped him from loving life. Stephanie and Jose are raising their children with that same attitude. When Jose isn’t spending time with his family, he is enjoying his job as the Associate Director of Sales and Training for Oregon Market, a large retail company.
The painting is of Jose, on one of the best days of his life, Sept 18, 2018. He is renewing his vows with his wife of 10 years. She has not only been the best life partner he could have, but she has become a voice, and force creating NF awareness in the community. Ten years ago, Jose’s mother was suffering from terminal cancer, it was very important for them both that his mother see them get married.
Jose encourages everyone with NF to not let NF alone define them, and seek out what makes him or her happy. He fully understands the difficulty that NF can cause in people’s lives, and hopes that one day it is a thing of the past. He encourages all NF fighters to keep fighting, and spread the word. He believes that through awareness, we can find a cure.