The Day Pitbull Bought My Painting: A Miami Dream Come True

Maria Eugenia

There are moments in every artist’s journey that feel like pure magic — unforgettable flashes of validation that fuel your soul. One of those moments happened to me on an ordinary Miami day that turned out to be anything but.

I had a painting hanging at a local restaurant — a bold, sensual piece titled Maria Eugenia, my Peruvian mermaid. She shimmered in rich red tones, with cascading dark hair and eyes so mesmerizing they practically followed you around the room. I poured so much of my heritage, femininity, and imagination into that piece. Little did I know, she was about to catch the attention of someone who’s very Miami.

Yes. That someone was none other than Mr. 305 himself — Pitbull.

Picture it: Pitbull walks into the restaurant (cue slow motion, maybe a breeze even though we’re indoors), and his eyes land on Maria Eugenia. He stops. He stares. He asks about the artist. And just like that — he had to have her.

When I got the call that Pitbull bought my painting, I was screaming. Crying. Dancing. Everything all at once. I mean — this is Pitbull, a global superstar, a cultural icon, and a Miami legend! For him to connect with my work, especially something so rooted in my own story as a Peruvian artist — it meant the world.

But it didn’t stop there.

Since then, Pitbull has invited me to do live painting at his events — an absolute dream. He’s even added another piece of mine to his personal collection. Every time we collaborate, I’m reminded how far art can go — from my studio walls to the hands of someone who’s represented our city on the world stage.

I’m still pinching myself.

To have Pitbull collect my art is more than a career milestone — it’s a celebration of culture, hustle, and creativity. It’s a reminder that our work can take us places we never imagined, and land in front of people who truly see it.

From Little Havana to the world — dale, baby.

—Stay tuned for more stories from the studio, murals, magic, and Miami heat.