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Here it is - my second blog of the year and it's going to be a quick one. I have been swamped with work with the restoration project and my Painting workshops I am teaching but I was able to finally finish a portrait I have been working on for about a year and I have found some time to continue my work on the "Filtered" series.
The portrait is a piece I started a few years ago but I always felt that it lacked something I just wasn't sure what it was. But after starting the pixel pieces it hit me "that's where it needed to go" I remember thinking and after that it just took off. Working on this portrait actually inspired to start another piece that is in process now, which is taking it's own form and that's what I really love about the creative process, it takes me to so many different places and now I am finding it a bit easier to follow where ever it may take me. it may seem at times that a lot of my work doesn't relate to each other but I know when I look at these works that they all have a connection.
Okay so now I'm going to finish up in my studio and wait for the snowstorm also coming soon look for exclusive interviews from my fellow citizens on the Arts and Culture and how they relate to them.
It's the start of a new week and a new year so I have decided that this is the year that I share my insights as a Artist living and working on the south side of Chicago with all of you on a weekly basis.
So here it goes, I am not in a habit of sharing my political views on this blog but the incidents of this past weekend have made me realize how much more work we have to do as a society. My condolences go out to all the victims from the arizona shootings and my wishes for the safe
recovery of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all the victims that are in recovery.
Now for all the goings on in the studio. After a successful fall exhibit season I have cleaned up the studio for the new year and am getting ready for new works. The blocks are piling up in the studio and with my latest project the restoration of The Providence of God Church going very well, I will lots to share with you all this year!
I also wanted to share this project I was asked to collaborate with, with you all. Its called SCVNGR Hunt en Tu Ciudad sounds like a great idea and maybe it'll stir up some interest in a little something that we all could use, culture it's run by Remezcla
Okay so it's been a long weekend for me after teaching 91 kids on Saturday we checked out Rana Santacruz at the Mayne theater I have to admit that I've never heard of this guy before but I was impressed it was a great concert! very different and afterward got a chance to talk to him and I was very impressed with the creative spirit.
So with this said I ask you all to think about what your role is in our society and how can we strengthen this great country we live, work and create in.
Well I have to wish you all a very happy new year and hope that you have an incredible 2010, before I get distracted…again.
I can't believe it's been over a year since we were sitting on that airplane leaving "la cuidad de la esperanza" and realized there was smoke coming into the cabin as we hear "ladies and gentleman as you might have noticed…" then quick motion of the airplane turning left. What followed was the longest 7 minutes of my life.
Well that was our introduction to 2009 and now it's gone but not forgotten the year brought some great things, an incredible solo exhibit at Latino Arts, Inc. Milwaukee, great times with good friends and family, meeting new friends and all the rest of the trimmings!
Now it's time to look at present, with 2010 to look forward to lot's of creating in the studio and sharing all this again with the people on my life.
As I was sitting at my computer last week I noticed a email message facebook from someone that I thought would be a good friend who at last joined the modern world of facebook, what followed to my dismay was this:
Hi Everyone, Apparently, someone named Luis De La Torre is contacting my friends, especially those who live in Los Angeles, and asking to be Facebook “friends” because he is a friend of mine. He is NOT a friend of mine! He is a local Chicago D-list painter who tries to attach himself to people in the arts he can get favors or information from. He has already succeeded in "friending" some people I know on FB. Who you choose to be friends with on FB is up to you, but if you are contacted by this guy and he wants to be friends with you because you and he have "mutual" friends___like me, I would ignore it! If I were you, I would also "block" him through the security setting so that he cannot see YOUR friends. Sorry this has happened. If you have any questions, please contact me. Judithe Hernandez
Yes you can imagine my horror, this is just completely off the wall!
For the past years I have prided myself for going out of my way to help the people around me, whether it's letting them use my studio to work in, or getting them into galleries or introducing them to people that would support them by purchasing there work or set up exhibits for them. I even have given people materials to work with and shown them how to use the material.
And now this, well I didn't really feel that I needed to respond to this person because my track record speaks for itself and to tell you the truth I was kinda entertained with this since after I received this I was added to several people's FB friends list in LA, so I just let it slide.
But after showing this letter to a couple of trusted people around me and seeing there reaction of utter disgust I really felt the culprit had to have some kind of illness I mean why would a person who until a couple of months ago called herself a friend of mine, and that I even helped hang her work. Why would this person send out such a vile letter, then I remembered the advice of a friend when he told me " most artists are backstabbers, so watch your back you can't be honest with Artists" thank you C.T. I have learned from you maybe late but I have learned.
With that said Happy New year to you Post- Racial America I'm glad that we can all get along!
even if we can't get along within our own race or political parties or building!
Yep it's been a while since I've posted a new blog and I'm feeling quite ashamed, well not really but what can I say writing is not my forte.There has been much going on around here my solo exhibit at Latino Art's Inc. has come and gone, it was worth while if you had a chance to see the exhibit thank you and please feel free to let me know what you thought. 27 new pieces including 5 - 6'X9" canvases almost a whole year of work for this exhibit and it was awesome I received some really great feedback and hopefully some the work will find a home.Well that's about it for now I'm off to paint, I'll try and get more consistent with blog but as always - have fun out there!Oh and for those of you who are interested I will be having an impromptu exhibit at the studio so stay tuned.
I have started the work for the exhibit in Milwaukee and its really pushing me at this point. I see what the work is saying and, for lack of a better word it's exciting.
As an artist when I get these revelations it gets to be an addiction I feel the need to be in the studio every minute even right now as I'm writing my mind is jumping to the canvas. Its great to have this creative energy it feels like that cool summer breeze running all over your body.
Now I need to find funding for the time that it's going to take to develop and create the work, if any one has any ideas please let me know.
Don't forget about all the activity going this weekend, exhibit at the Ogilvie/Pertl Gallery and of course the "one night stand" fund raiser for Radio Arte at the NMMA
Well here we go I'm back in the studio working on my mural for the elementary school and listening to Amy Goodman and let me ask where is all the good news? I thought we're supposed to be in an era of "change" you know cooperation, all I'm hearing is the same thing. Its not that the people we elected aren't trying but it seems the other side is just is throwing every thing in the way. I mean really lets look at we're some of those guys get there money and what they do with it.
Thats it for that now back to what going on in the studio. I am starting a new series for my solo exhibit in Milwaukee and its off to a good start lots of material to work on but most of it is going to be concerning current events and how they came about.
So now its back to painting and getting a haircut and all the rest of the stuff that goes on around here. and hope for change better yet lets make change!
Wow ! I hope every had a great 2008 and I wish all a very productive 2009. Now with that said let me tell you our trip to Mexico this year was very eventful the kids are growing to be very beautiful upstanding citizens and the climb up the tepoztlan was very challenging and meditative.
That was the great part and here is the incredible part at the very point of me thinking that it was about time that we just moved to Mexico and away from the absurdity we call the "american" way of life there was an announcement from the captain of the plane saying there was smoke in the cabin of the plane and that we are turning back to make an emergency landing and that of course all will be fine. I don't know about every one else but when you are in an airplane and you see smoke all around you then you feel the sharp left hand turn my mind did not go to "every thing will be fine"a lot of other things went through my mind at that point of which I will elaborate at a later time.
So that was the situation and now I am sitting at my computer giving you all grief about American Airline Flight 1110 from Mexico city to Dallas and thats the end of that now I will go about creating all the possibilities that I thought about when I heard that announcement. Much more to come about our great trip but know its off to the studio.
Well okay some times I admit I do over spend at the art store and I have tendency to eat (some times healthy) but I'm not irresponsible I just have an addiction to making art.
This said, I am announcing that congress has decided not to bail me out of any financial stress I may be experiencing (to my surprise!) Instead the government has opted to give the bankers of this country a hand and send them on some fabulous spa retreats where they will receive some much needed facials(no pun intended).
But as I understand the DOD has been taking some interest in my work and perhaps they will add some of my paintings to there brilliant collection lets see how that turns out.
On a more serious note I have been hard at work at some of my projects. I have made it to 88 paintings for the studio reception and the piece for the Milwaukee Show is going very well. And now that we have been connected upstairs I plan to be more consistent with the blog and all other postings.
Today was a very interesting day I got up a bit later 9'ish and attended a luncheon at the Union league of Chicago. There was a very good panel discussion concerning the fostering of community of Chicago based artists moderated by James Yood who has been an the art scene and writing about it for years. The Artist Vera Clement made some very valid points about the churning out of artist from art schools such as the art institute of Chicago and how is the world going to absorb these new artists. I guess that statement could be read many different ways but I know one thing these new Artists better be prepared to face a challenge and I do hope that the new generations of Artist find success. I have to say I was very surprised to see some artists get up and leave during this discussion maybe they had better things to do (or somewhere else to promote themselves).
Anyway for now here are the things I look forward to in the next couple of weeks. Cleaning up the studio, going to a panel discussion on "The Collector" which my good friend Patric McCoy will be participating in, finishing "the" presentation, finishing number 100, Hyde Park Art Center Exhibit, and of course "party time" at the studio! (don't forget Artists need bailouts too)
Wow what a great couple of weeks it has been. I know you all are probably asking yourselves where the hell is DLT? Well now! I just don't know where to start but let me tell thinks are well over here and there only going to get better.It was sad to see the set I created for "Dreamlandia" go to the wrecking ball but thats life and it was great to see such a fabulous production become reality for all those people that took there time to see the production I thank you.Well thats all I have time for right now I am going to my very own "Dreamlandia"So enjoy this awesome pic. Oh I just wanted to add that it is always nice to applauded in print by the major theater critic in Chicago - thats all.
Now its on to organizing the May 10 open house and Bridgeport Art Walk which means new challenges for me.The good news is that I have a great concept for the October Opening. I am challenging those people who say that art is not affordable - I am calling it 150 for 150 thats right I will produce 150 paintings watercolors, oils and mixed media then sell them for $150 dollars each.So Lets see I have two Murals for Columbia Explorer School a great project for JTO out in Barrington a couple of portraits and 150 painting to get done within a six month period, definitely a fun next couple of months!In the mean time here is another pic for those of you who asked about pics.And don't forget to stop in to the Ogilivie/Pertl Gallery next week for the first annual Latin American Art Fair which will be happening at the River East Art Center on Illinois Street. I will be participating with the OP Gallery a very fine Gallery.
