For Escalera, painting the human form was the greatest test of his abilities. He was often heard saying, "God's creation, the human body, was by far the greatest challenge to capture correctly on canvas." "Dona Panchita" and "Don Pedrito" were painted concurrently as a set and both depict the wisdom gained from living a long life. A story is told in their wrinkles and eyes of a multitude of life experiences, good and bad, and many miles traveled.
 
-1997