Happy New Year to you - Post-Racial America!

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!

Back to blogging...I guess it helps.

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!

Here we go!

Not much else to say other than...its go time. Wish me luck and all that other good stuff thanks to everyone that helped in any way and with that its time to turn in my presentation.

Here We Go!

Well here we are summer is gone (once again) and the time has come to start the shame less promotion. The summer has been really good to me it has presented a lot of opportunity I have been very fortunate to be included in some great exhibits as well as receiving some important commissions. With all that said the beat goes on and there's a ton of work to be done I am continuing the 150 paintings for the open studio reception and I'm working on a proposal for an important commission, so here we go.

Some of the things I have accomplished this summer, mural for "Barrington" nursery, exhibit at OP Gallery for Latin American Art Fair (21 pieces), exhibit at Loyola University "Immigration Through Art " (3 pieces) and of course designing and producing a 11' X 32' mural at a CPS. Thats just a few things I did this past summer.

Here is a pic from the 150 new pieces I am creating for the October 24th reception at the Studio so I hope you all enjoy it.

Okay here's a new BLOG for you

Well I'm back from a great day out in the field and ready for some more. I don't know what that means but rest assured I'll get to the bottom of it.

Opening night at the R.E.A.C. first annual Latin American Art Fair went very well there was some very interesting people and a few of my pieces sold which is always a good thing! And my project with J.T.O. started today and the piece is started well but the traffic back needs to get better (so all you people out there on the 355 get with it).

Well thats it for right now except I would like to say to all those people out in Sunnyvale CA - stay thirsty...Stay Thirsty

New Challenges

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.