Crank it up!

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.

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!

The Nature of Nature.

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.

CONGRATULATION SUMMER YOU'VE MADE IT

Well now here it is the season we've all been waiting for, summer better known as "construction" in Chicago. Once again I find myself posting a long overdue blog and in my studio which at 6:50am was 97º, Yes I am very grateful for the heat of summer so I won't complain about it.

Work in the studio is going slower than planned but I do feel that the work will be ready for August and it will be a very telling exhibit in September. Now I have to start figuring out what needs to be done with everything past this Fall, I am trying to get work out there to be exhibited. Either I will start having once a month gatherings at the studio or ship the work wherever it needs to go. I would like to write a little about the evolution of my new work because it helps me to put it in place in my own thoughts. One of the things I am slowly learning from my mentor, Carlos Estrada-Vega is that thinking too much about what your working on stops you from doing it. Progressing into the work, changing it is being affirmed that this approach is affective. It's a lot easier now for me to approach the work and not be stymied by constant barrage of inner questions just get the work out and it speaks for its self.

A big part of my work has been driven by a constant desire to master the materials I work with be it water color, oil paint or fresco and it's interesting taking a look back how much this yearning has made me a kind of slave to this materialism. I look around my studio and I see a never ending source of inspiration people always wonder why I can't leave my studio, it's not that I'm obsessive. it's really that I'm like kid in a candy store and believe me I appreciate everything that the gods of the universe has provided for me so 97º or 57º waterfall or no water in the bathrooms I will always be happy to spend time in my studio where ever it is.

Alright now, that I'm done with that, check out my new and improved website and let me know what you think. http://www.DeLaTorreArts.com

LOVE IN THE TIME OF "SWINE FLU"

Well here we go again the Swine flu has hit and I can see what's coming I'm not going to say it but we all know what's coming. I guess I should have never eaten that ham sandwich but I was really hungry and when your really hungry you do what you have to do to survive.

The thing is you see something that can sustain you even if it is temporary and your not really convinced that it's the best thing for you well... what are your options. Its not like some one was offering the steak and potato's that they wave around in your face. What I do know about Mexicano's is that we make the best of what we have and thrive doing so. In my case I am very grateful for what I do have and I know one day I will have my "steak" and maybe some potato's.

Well now I am going to continue to create my works and I hope all of you will continue to flourish.

HAPPY EARTH DAY TO YOU!

As I drive around in my 1970's Dina "olimpico" bus belching blue diesel fumes and enjoying some Pedro Infante and Tampico cumbia I think to my self ...wow what a wonderful world (then I flush the toilet right on to the street). Yes its that time again. its "earth day" the one day of the year people stop dumping garbage because its the right thing to do.

Not that I'm against building a society full of wall street big wigs or pollution spewing factories - hey I'm not even opposed to china building ten coal burning plants a day as long as we have one day a year we all can shut the lights off to save energy we'll be fine.

Okay thats done, lots of things have happened in the last month its great to be back to work at the studio and I feel good about the work I'm producing right now. I am also very grateful to the powers that be for every thing I have been able to accomplish during my time here in Chicago I know that I will continue with my work where ever I end up and thats a great feeling.

So now that I'm trying get myself in a better position and make my move and establish myself in another local I'm looking to lighten my load and raise funds for the move and so if any one out there is interested in works I have in the studio please let me know I'm sure we can work some thing out.

Summer breeze

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

Hey what are you doing this weekend?

All right besides all the hallmark stuff going on this weekend you know with St. V's day this weekend. Here are a couple of fun things. But before that, let's take the time to realize that we could be appreciating our significant other every day of the year and a life-time if that's where your relationship takes you.

I will have some work at an opening at the Ogilvie/Pertl gallery they have been handling some of my work here in Chicago for a while now and they're very nice people. I have also donated a piece from the "Saints and Sinners" series to the Radio Arte fund raising benefit thats happening this Friday at the National Museum of Mexican Art they are charging $20.00 admittance but its for a good cause they are a youth training initiative, so they do great things for the community.

Okay, on another note, I spoke with my good friend Patric McCoy yesterday and he let me know that everyone's friend Pirfirco is still touch and go at Northwestern hospital and now to top it off Dan Parker has suffered a stroke. I just don't know what to think about all this. I am sure that they are both in the minds of the community they helped build and will continue to have lots and lots of prayers said in there names.

I'm looking outside the studio window and I can't believe the river is still frozen. That goes to show you how bitter cold this winter in Chicago has been, unbelievable. Have fun every one enjoy the weather and lets keep sending Pirfirco and Dan that positive energy.

President Obama to the rescue

Well here we go again politics as usual and all can think of is that saying you know "SNAFU" . It was great hearing the President making some sense last night and I'm really glad that he took the argument straight to the people.

And its back to work in the studio I'm trying to get creative with the financial situation cause I can't really cry about it so I'm doing what I know, finishing the projects I have going and trying to get new work out there. It's like the old Mexican saying "canta no Llora" it's the best we can do.

I am also looking forward to my residency with Carlos Estrada-Vega which is coming up fast. Until then I hope every one in Sunnyvale, New York and Tempe are all having a great time and if you have any questions feel free to contact me.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT OR THOUGHT FOR FOOD?

Well besides eating very well on our recent adventure to Mexico (I swear every ten feet there is a vendor selling something thats incredibly delicious) as we went to eat at VIPS. So of the course the dilemma is how much can you pass by with out finally breaking down at the elote stand. I actually did very well I only ate a few these street delicacies along with the usual meals.

And of course the food for thought with all the incredible sights and history of Mexico it always puts me in a mediative mood and I seem to absorb an enormous amount of energy when I see so many different cultures wrapped into one big ball of ... well if your not familiar with the culture its seems like its chaos almost in a state of panic sealed with a smile. All the vendors- where are the buyers? But the vendors all have the same demeanor as if to say even if you don't buy from me I still win because look around you I get to live here and you well you'll go back to where ever your from and all your going to have is the memory of visiting this place.

Yeah thats the the way it is, here I am again back in the cold, gray emptiness that is our great city. And all that meditation all the images of raices, templos and the chaos well that will live
on in mind and of course in the work I will produce.

A sign from the gods!

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.

Talk about frustration

I suppose it must be frustrating being the governor of one the largest economic states in this country you know all that money flowing in and out and you only making around $100,000.00
give or take a million from the campaign trail.

How did these people in charge get so out of touch with the every day reality of the working class or as they like to refer to theme as "lackeys". I know that there needs to be a structure in this society but I really think that the leaders need to be accountable for there actions. I recently heard Senator Dick Durbin speaking about how he feels that George Ryan should have his sentence commuted what message will that send to our sitting governor as he goes through this stage of his career does that mean that he's going to have his sentence commuted as well?

Now on to my frustration dealing with how I'm going to fund my very own "micro-economy".
I am getting all those projects that are the table finishes that means portraits framing and all the other stuff in the studio are in play so if any ones out there that willing to make contribution to my campaign fund now is the time these thing are f%@^*! golden and I'm not going to give them away for F%@^*! nothing.

until next time please keep all your elicit conversations off the phone you never know who's listening.

Down goes Bloggo-Down goes Bloggo

Well there you have it another Illinois governor goes down and every one is surprised or are they? Ok well thats enough of that I just can't wait until the day they take the "SHRUBS" away in handcuffs and dickless Cheney too.

Its been very slow going at the studio I'm still kind of reeling from the CPD project but moving on from that trying to field more calls for exhibits and getting better grant writing to apply for more grant funds. I did get a good lead from a friend about this great program that I can run workshops through and not only get paid for it but have the kids participating paid as well so I'll be applying for that some time soon.

Thats it I'll get back to writing soon I'm off to the studio

Wheres my bailout plan?

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)

My Very Own Niagara Falls

Well here I am blogging for all to read and let me tell you its been quite a great couple of weeks. Let me start with the "DeLaTorre Winter Water Falls".

It was a Wednesday one of the coldest days of the year and I took the day to paint on my mural and other things in the studio, well as I was conversing with my neighbor we both hear water running and start (at a fast pace) making our way to my studio and sure enough there it was, my very own Niagara Falls right on my table with all king of works in progress- as well finished pieces. As I struggled up current to try and save what I could, my neighbor helping as much as she could I had this sudden feeling that I was the luckiest S.O.B. alive if I wasn't in my studio that day all these works and probably much more would have been destroyed as it was there were many casualties but very few fatalities. So there it is I needed some space for it to process but all is well and I am continuing to create.

And for the next episode more adventures with two tonne tow trucks in snowed in alleys. For now please enjoyed a portrait of one my favorite creatures on the planet.

Trying to get the work out there out there

I have been trying to get my work out there for the last few years and its been quite the adventure, The other day I attended a lecture entitled "get out of town".

Wow what a crock of shit there was a panel of four Chicago artist's talking about how they made it. Well their work was very unimpressive I'm a painter my visual sensibilities usually are very open but when you see some of the work thats making it well I really have to question the place we are in as a society.

Any way now that I know that I am taking the steps to get out there I feel much better, whatever that means. So my next step is to find a gallery I feel my work fits in and proceed to get drunk with the gallery owner and set up an exhibit. Thats how works according to the panel discussion.

More later I have to get back to the studio, oh also if anybody would like to checkout my new Myspace page (yes thats right I am trying to get the work out there by any means possible) you can link up through my page.

CREATING A "VIRGIN"

Here I am again back from the studio I have been through a sleep deprivation and trying to get work started for the exhibits in Milwaukee and Santa Fe and in the mean time the studio is about 116 degrees and seriously humid but some how I will focus and get the paintings going.

I have this concept for the altar in Milwaukee I am dedicating it to the Constitution of the USA I think its a challenging time right now not only for artist but for every citizen of this country. I want to see how people will approach the situation we are facing will we try to regroup and create a better place or will we continue on the destructive path we are on.

The image posted has it's beginning with the use of imagery to sway people. The common image of "la virgin" the established religion has used it to attract and persuade the masses to follow their institution and all that it stands for. I have been contemplating and creating my interpretations of these icons more on the whimsical level but still affecting me on the subconscious level.

more storms in the city

I hope everyone enjoyed the storms this week, there's nothing like nature dumping buckets of water down on you to humble us all. Above is a quick sketch of the storms rolling in from my studio window.

The work in the studio has been going kind of slow but I did manage to get all the material for the portraits finished and lay out the material for the mural . I think this week will be a more tolerable climate.

Back From the Jar

Ok I'm back to writing, I want to thank Dr. V for her comment. I'm happy to have any feed back about the works and projects that I am writing about. The last few days have been very productive in the studio this is the piece I finished today I also finished prepping the surfaces for some commissioned portraits I will be working on in the next couple of weeks that really are going to be fun to do the patrons are giving me "Cart Blanc" on creating the works.

I have to say one thing I would change about my studio has to be the heat WOW! I'm telling you even in the winter there is some solution I could put on an extra layer or even jump around and get warm but in the summer the heat is overwhelming I stand in one place and I wind up drenched in sweat its like being inside a jar and when I am applying gesso it gets very frustrating but enough about that on to the things I am thankful for this week.

One is the great gifts from Diana the pie was great as Comet can attest to and of course the "Power of Art " videos we're all hooked on them. And having my Mom bake me a cake and cooking a great dinner is always a great time.

Hitting for the cycle

I don't know if credit is the new slavery system at this point of history but I have to say its a great start to indentured servitude I mean we all know the trap borrow now- pay later but how much will you be paying back and all terms are up to the creditors but enough of my complaints just look at how the subprime creditors have screwed up the home buying market
2 million families have now lost there homes to foreclosures and more than half of those are families of "color" how many of those families who were told that home ownership is the path to wealth and happiness will make it back to a position to buy there next home and how many will be forced to live in a sub par environment were the kids won't be able or want to focus there education and carry on the cycle of poverty but I guess as long as the US army is there to bail those kids out and discipline them, on to the path of good and righteousness we will all be
just fine .

Well I realize that it is a bit preachy so I will leave that alone and talk more about what I am working on at the studio, next time.