Let's tackle a philosophical question right away. Tell us, What is art?
Any creative expression that comes from the heart.
Your artwork is wonderfully reflective of the vibrant Mexican culture. What are some of your inspirations?
I love how the Mexican culture is not afraid of color. I joke with people that my house looks like a taqueria because every wall is a different BRIGHT color. Going to Mexico City and seeing Frida Kahlo's bright blue Casa Azul, and going to Oaxaca and Puebla and seeing how all the buildings look like popsicles...that's where I get a lot of my inspiration.
What are you hoping the audience will take from viewing this collection?
The most satisfying thing for me as an artist is watching people look at my work, when they are into it and taking the time to really look, to appreciate the details. I do a lot of portraits, and I hope that viewers get insight into the people I paint. I focus a lot on the eyes, because they capture everything about a person.
Are there any individuals whom have acted as inspirations to you?
In terms of artists, I'm really lucky to have grown up in San Antonio. Jesse Treviņo is an amazing artist who has always inspired me...I love how he paints the West Side, real people. More recently I've become entranced by Vincent Valdez and Alex Rubio. There's so much talent in this city it's crazy.
Personally, my family is an inspiration. My parents, my husband, and all the positive people who have touched my life. Betty Yndo and Margaret Gonzalez, 2 incredible people in Southtown who are constantly upbeat, constantly making things happen. Optimists make me tick.
Why have you chosen to work with oils?
The deep reason: The colors are amazingly rich, and since they take a while to dry you can really take the time to work on a piece over a couple weeks without having to remix the same color.
The shallow (real) reason: I'm kind of messy and lazy sometimes, so it suits me to not have to clean up my pallette and squeeze out new dollops of paint every single day.
Tell us about the first time you became aware of your identity as an artist. Was it sparked by a particular experience?
Maybe when I was 6 or 7 and at art camp and I'd done this really detailed drawing of deer and other wild animals in a jungle. The teacher came by and grabbed it and said "don't touch it" because she was so impressed with it. It kind of ticked me off a bit too because I wanted to keep going, what did she think I would ruin it?
I already knew I loved art more than anything else at that point, but the secondary validation from an authority figure was nice.
Of course all that went out the window my freshman year of college when I go the lowest grade of my life, ever, in Basic Drawing. Instead of saying "screw it" I decided not to major in art and got off my chosen path for several years. Pretty sad, huh?
Now for some lighter questions:
Here at the brewery, we feel the kind of beer somebody likes says a lot about them. So, what is your preferred style of beer (wits, pales, ales, stouts, etc)?
I barely know the difference between the aformentioned varietes....GASP!!!
I'm pretty shallow when it comes to beer, I pretty much stick to Mexican brands (Tecate, Dos Equis, and Negra Modelo). Now let me take the opportunity to stab you and all true beer aficionados in the heart by admitting that I've been known to drink light, mass-marketed beers as well. Like Michelob Ultra and Coors Light, yee haw!!!
Hee hee.
Our savory microbrews pair perfectly with a good conversation. If you could share a round with anyone- from the past, present, or future- who would it be and why?
Willie Nelson, though I'd probably faint from nerves alone. He's a true artist, the best singer songwriter that ever lived, don't argue with me.
More than that, you can tell he has a good soul. I hope my portrait of him captures that. He has kind eyes.
You were raised in San Antonio, what is your favourite thing about this unique city?
We're a friendly city, and we all get along for the most part. We're unpretentious. I love that you can get a great taco on nearly every block in the city, and that we have character. Our landmarks are too cool for school, but I fear for their safety. It devastated me when Earl Abel's moved, and now I hear Liberty Bar is going to move too. Say it ain't so!
I am also still lamenting Esquire's "closed for remodeling."
Sniffle.
And finally, give us the last word:
"Make tacos not war."
-L.A. David OR Franco Mondini-Ruiz OR both.
My favorite quote, whose authorship has been disputed, as so kindly described by Elaine Ayala in her blog:
