ARTIST STATEMENT:
 
Over a century ago, the women’s basketball team at Southern Methodist University won the state championship which put in motion the need for an official mascot. Landing on the mustang, Peruna was aptly named after a prohibition-popular medicine that was 18% alcohol and spirited with a kick to it.
 
Peruna and I go way back. My mom was an SMU cheerleader. This cereal box series is about making portraits of subjects I love. I think I knew I wanted to be an SMU mustang since I was three.
 
The thing about the mascots is everyone loves them. The thing about this one is he is holding up pony ears, the mustang hand sign, which also looks like a peace sign.
 
My Peruna had to be in front of Dallas Hall because it’s no secret here that I love a good icon…that Georgian architecture, the fact that a hundred plus years ago the whole entire university was housed in that building, plus “The Boulevard” leading up to the building. The blue gingham background is because “Boulevarding” (not tailgating) is the fancy pants way SMU fans do pre-game, and I know this stallion would appreciate the preppy sentiment. My Peruna also appreciates the nod to Green Day in the title.