Perez, the son of an art critic, was heavily exposed to art throughout his childhood in San Juan. Arriving in New York in 1986, he emulated Warhol’s silkscreen painting technique, layering paint to capture an array of subjects from feminine portraits to modern architecture, typically basing his paintings on previously existing photographs.

Recent works demonstrate his range and versatility. His 2006 series titled “New York” captures many of the city’s tallest and most famous buildings in oil paint and is chilling in the wake of September 11th. Other works, like “Ron Superior,” a watercolor painting of a bottle of rum and accompanying glass, resemble Impressionist art.

His work is also part of the permanent collection of Puerto Rico’s Museum of Modern Art.