By Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America Bureau
.
Mira Mesa, CA - Danny Piedra, 52, is known as San Diego’s famous sketch portrait artist. He can sketch a person in less than five minutes, signing each sketch with “Jesus loves you,” bringing smiles to his models.

“Poverty and depression, but I made it,” explained Piedra. This is Piedra’s only source of income. He came to the U.S. for a comic book convention in 1992, where he met his ex-wife. The former illustrator used to draw for animation studios in Hollywood.

But work became scarce. Divorced, he resorted to the only thing he’s ever done–drawing. For nearly a decade he’s been taking his art to the streets, festivals and parties, earning enough to rent a room. “I have original paintings in my garage. I keep them. Just in case I have a break, I show it to them,” said Piedra.

With no family in the U.S., the Pampanga native says he’d rather stay here and chase his dream of becoming an artist. “I want to stay here of course because if I’m here, maybe they’ll recognize my talent.”

With only a pencil case and an easel in his trunk, and the streets as his studio, it’s a talent that he shares within five minutes. He’s hoping it can eventually get him off the streets one day.

.