Hi.  My name is Sam.  While on vacationing in Havana in 2002, I walked into Almacenes San José Mercado Artesanal.  The tour guide took me there for souvenirs as it was my first time in Cuba.   Upstairs was reserved for artists to sell their paintings.  Mostly repetitive paintings of Cuban buildings and cars.  Unexpectedly I came across Jesus Lazaro's section and it felt like I had walked into an art gallery.  Wanting to buy the paintings but lacking the experience and knowledge to bring them home.  Fear dominated and I did not buy the 4 paintings that for the first time in my life felt the greed to have them in my home.  

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One year later I went back to Havana determined to pick up the 4 paintings.  Unfortunately Jesus had sold them all in a exhibition in New York.  All his paintings are fantastic and I did bring one painting home.  Since then I have gotten to know Jesus better and I pick up one of pieces every time I go.  

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Life for Cubans has never been easy.  Politics and governments are not something I know much about so I can't criticize anyone.  I do know that life for Cubans has taken a drastic turn in the last few years.  

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Jesus and I keep in touch through text message and he told me he has a son with Asthma.  Medication is impossible to get but his nebulizer has become difficult to use due to the long blackouts.  Jesus never asks for anything but this time he asked.  A rechargeable nebulizer so his son can breathe easier even during black outs.  After a brief search I found someone that was going down to Cuba.  Jesus received the care package and sent me a few paintings as a thank you.

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There are approximately 20 paintings in my possession that I am putting up for sale.  

Buyers will receive Jesus's contact number to verify that all funds have been received by him.  Hopefully everyone can go visit him in Havana at the Almacenes San José Mercado Artesanal in the future.