ARTIST STATEMENT
During my early childhood in Santa Anita, Jalisco, Mexico, I learned a lot about art through the intricate needlework the women in my family created. My father was a migrant worker in the US, and during his long absences I had the opportunity to help the women, which was culturally not acceptable for a boy. I also always loved art in school. My own emigration to the USA at age eleven lead to the loss of my family, culture and language. I focused on art a s a way of communicating my thoughts and feelings without words.
I discovered metal work one day at Cabrillo College in Aptos, when I visited the Jewelry Department where Lynda Watson and Marcia Lewis taught. I felt my calling and fell in love with metal work. Both Lynda and Marcia were excellent teachers and recommended San Diego State University for my career in metal work. Arlene Fisch and Helen Shirk, my outstanding teachers at San Diego State University later helped me to express my ideas through precise techniques in metal and enamel. I received my BA degree in Metal Arts from San Diego State University.
In metal work I found my way of bringing elements together: I can combine the softness and liveliness of natural images, textures and feelings with hard, laborious, precise craftsmanship through hammer and heat.
During my travels to Europe and Mexico I have found many inspirations and ideas for my work. In Barcelona Gaudi’s architectural sites had a profound impression on me. In this beautiful city I also had the opportunity to interview Ramon Puigi from Massana Institute for the Wita Gardner Gallery. Through art I feel a connection that knows no frontiers or language gaps. Art is my access to the World Soul.
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DECLARATION ARTISTA
Soy un artista del metal de origen mexicano americano llegado a Watsonville a los once añosdeedad como hijo de un trabajador inmigrante. Tras mi inmigración a EE. UU., me enfoqué en el arte como forma de comunicar mis pensamientos y sentimientos.
Descubrí el trabajo con el metal un día en Cabrillo College en Aptos, al visitar el Departamento de Joyería donde daban clases Lynda Watson y Marcia Lewis. Así encontré mi vocación y me enamoré del trabajo con el metal. Tanto Lynda como Marcia fueron maestras excelentes y me recomendaron asistir a San Diego State University para seguir mi carrera en el arte del metal. Durante los años siguientes, Arlene Fisch y Helen Shirk, mis dos grandes maestras de San Diego State University, me ayudaron a expresar mis ideas mediante técnicas precisas en metal y esmalte, y recibí mi licenciatura (BA) en Arte del Metal de San Diego State University.
Trabajando con metal, descubrí mi propia forma de unir elementos: Puedo combinar la suavidad y vivacidad de imágenes naturales, texturas y sentimientos con destrezas difíciles, laboriosas y precisas con el martillo y el calor.
Durante mis viajes a Europa y México, he encontrado numerosas inspiraciones e ideas para mi trabajo. En Barcelona, las obras arquitectónicas de Gaudí me causaron una profunda impresión. En esta hermosa ciudad tuve también la oportunidad de entrevistar a Ramón Puig del Instituto Massana para la Galería Wita Gardner. A través del arte siento una unión que no conoce fronteras ni diferencias de idioma. El arte es mi punto de acceso al Alma del Mundo.
