Two suited cowboys raise wine glasses atop their horses, not in celebration, but in a tense ceremonial gesture. Their eyes lock — firm, unsmiling — as if to seal an unspoken deal or reaffirm a delicate balance of power. Set against a bold pink backdrop, The Toast plays with the contrast between elegance and confrontation. The composition evokes codes of masculinity and diplomacy, where even a shared drink becomes part of the ritual performance of control. The third in the Rules of Engagement series, this work transforms Western iconography into a study of silent negotiations, where civility masks tension — and ritual replaces violence.

Papayon Papayon

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Papayon is a contemporary artist whose work explores tension, irony, and spiritual resilience through figurative painting. Rooted in classical technique and driven by raw, contemporary urgency, his imagery moves between control and collapse — where symbols, animals, and human gestures become quiet acts of defiance. His practice draws from art history, personal narrative, and lived experience, favoring emotional impact over explanation. Each piece functions as a fragment of a larger story, inviting the viewer to linger, question, and return. Based in Houston, Papayon’s work has been exhibited internationally and collected across the U.S. and Mexico.