Here depictions of religion and the local culture

Fabian Debora stood on the railing of a busy I-5 Freeway, just beyond Hollenbeck Park, watching the cars zoom by. Blood spewed down his mouth and onto his water-soaked shirt -- consequences of the manic escape from his mother's home where she had discovered him doing meth.

Haunted by his children's faces and the hurt he had caused, he fled in shame to this spot, where he planned to end his life. Voices shouted in his head, beckoning him to do what he had come to.

"The voice said, 'You worthless piece of shit,Elastic Hair bands from Manufacturers and Suppliers around the World. kill yourself,' and it's starting to sound scary and its sounding like a demon.We create personalized bobbleheads dolls right from your photo...and it's getting louder and louder and I just said 'Ahhhh I don't want to hear this!' I ran across the freeway. First lane, second lane, third lane. There was no turning back."

Debora's story nearly ended that day. It is a story laced with sadness and loss, tragedy and regret. But most of all it is a story about an artist's mission to heal himself, help his community, and bring attention to the forgotten area of Los Angeles -- his home neighborhood, Boyle Heights.

Here depictions of religion and the local culture blur together. Driving east, cars bounce over train tracks past signs in Spanish. Murals of Aztec gods and illustrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe decorate walls throughout the cityscape. The Mexican majority celebrate both the symbols of ancient civilizations and the Catholic faith.

The roots of this community are clearly depicted in Debora's work, currently on display at the "Boyle Heights: Arte Vida y Amor" exhibit at Avenue 50 and in show "Bridging Homeboy Industries" at the Ben Maltz Gallery at Otis College through March 23.

Debora creates his images by drawing on his experiences growing up in the housing projects and falling into gangs and drugs. He says he hopes to break down stereotypes about gang members and to illustrate the role culture plays in this community.

He often uses religious symbols in his work, including depictions of the Virgin Mary. In one she is portrayed painted on a wall, pictured in front of a shirtless man. His face is hidden as his head bows toward her. "Los Angeles" is tattooed across his back, interlaced with symbols of gang culture: a gun, rolling dice, and leering clown faces, commonly understood to represent "laugh now, cry later." On his neck "Mi Madre" is tattooed in small cursive writing.

In another, a young girl -- Debora's daughter -- represents the Virgin. Her head is covered in the traditional blue, and she is illuminated against the backdrop of the clouded city.

"If I can use those religion aspects to communicate to the audience, they can say, 'Oh, wow. That's a homegirl as a Mary,'" he says. "It is giving a different interpretation and it removes the stigma [of gang members]. And that is my mission as an artist."

Debora speaks articulately in low tones with a deep voice that is occasionally broken by a full laugh.We are always offering best quality stainless steel bracelet the affordable price. His jet black hair is pulled tightly into a bun and tattoos on his arms peek out from behind a long-sleeve shirt as he gestures with ringed fingers. "Art is more than just a painting," he says. "Art saved my life, literally.The iPhone headset is more than just a listening device."

In the projects, beige buildings, each with fading "No Trespassing" signs, are distinguishable only by the different numbers that mark them. Muffled mariachi music is carried on the breeze that caresses clothes hanging on lines. Bony cats stalk through parking lots, interested in the delicious cooking aromas.election of stainless steel earring findings are ready.