The calm before the storm.

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.

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.

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.

Not your grannies Grammy's

I first of all have to say that my thoughts (and prayers) have been going out to every ones good friend Pirfirco, since last Thursday when a message was sent out to all about his condition.

And of course this brings me to think about...well to put it simply life and whatever comes next. I could go on forever on this but all I'll say time is the most precious commodity we all have and I hope we all can find the best use of it respectively. Thats all.

Now here's whats happening at the studio last Friday I had a visit by some one who's opinion I highly respect and over all it went really well I was very satisfied that he was honest with me not that it was all flattering but I respect the honesty. I'm not sure why sometimes it takes some on else to make you realize what you all ready know but if thats what it takes thats what it takes.

Three things that made me really happy this weekend

1. Knowing that DP will be taking that workshop .

2. Hearing that Octavio Solis's "Lydia" has been received as the brilliant work it is at Yale repertory.

3. Celebrating C. Keenan 50th Birthday ( lots of fun!)

4. Seeing E.T. (he's like a brother) happy with his girlfriend.

5. Getting all my errands done and hanging with my brothers.

Yeah I know that's five but I'm an artist and the math thing, well not so relevant on this blog.

anyways have a happy Monday every one! Oh and despite the title I have nothing to say about the "Grammy's"

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

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

This is just to important to talk around but I am just amazed at how my fellow citizens can ignore reality and buy into all the hype. Is it that we are afraid of the "boogey man" or is it the other thing you know the thing we will not discuss because its not "PC".

Well thats it if we can't see past all the crap its a sad day to call yourself an American, I mean are we safer with Russian bombers stationed in Venezuela? Is are hard earned money working for us when banks are collapsing? Are we better off with a weaker dollar? and of course all the CEO's are making off with huge pay days so at least we can rest assured that even though Mr. McCain can't remember how many houses he has at least he can relate with that upper 2% that so badly need those tax breaks that the other 98% will never see.

Oh fuck it, where did I get the idea that we are all supposed to be equal in this country. Maybe I should just lower my ideal by all means why should we the people of this country stand in the way of these "great Americans".

Thats it, now I will get back to work after all I still have my dream and its only going to as well as I make it go.

I hope that some you have been able to go over to SCC to take a look at the exhibit that I have hanging. I have been invited to participate in a great exhibit in Carbondale, IL so more and more the work I am doing is being accepted so that feels great I know theres a whole lot of work still to be done but never the less its always gives you a boost to be included.

Thats enough for today for now I hope we can take a dose of reality and see through this hype.

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.

Well I had a great Wednesday I took a trip to Milwaukee to drop off the piece for the Dia de los Muertos exhibit and had a great meeting with the director she asked if I was ready for a solo exhibit
and of course in my mind I was saying I have been ready for the last two years but hey 2009 sounds great to me.

And I received word from the gallery in Santa Fe my piece has arrived safely and they are very pleased with the work and I am looking forward to see the whole show up in the gallery

In the the mean time we are participating in the Bridgeport Art Walk this coming Saturday from 12:00pm - 6:00pm it will be a fun event so I hope you all can make it.

Detail "Homage to Sgt. Mora"

October Artist Celebration

First of all I would like to thank every one that helped us have a very successful studio event special thanks to Manu and O.S. and of course D.P. also to Nuevo Leon Restaurant for their generous donation of delicious appetizers. I would post pic's from the event but the camera never had a chance to get out of the bag. I can say that even though the weather was sweltering we had a lot of guests and people seemed to be very comfortable hanging out which of course makes me very happy.

And now I am getting ready for Milwaukee and Santa Fe. I am almost done with the piece for
Milwaukee I have changed the content and have dedicated the Altar to the memory of Sgt. Omar
Mora who had the courage to speak out and question the policies of this administration and know he has perished. To me that speaks of the deterioration of the constitution of this country.

Well that is all I have say for now, here is something I have been working on.

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.

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.