By Paula Diaz
The El Paso region has many talented artists. People create everything from paintings, caricature to sculptures.
City Beat Magazine interviewed five artists to find out why they enjoy what they do.
Ho Baron
Kind of artist: Surreal, abstract, figurative sculptor, photographer, and writer
How old were you when you discovered art? While in my late teens, as a writer and photographer. Then I went into visual arts including sculpture in my 30s up until now at 77 years old.
How did you know you were good at it? There is no good or bad in art. The creative process is the art, no mistakes in the visual arts. My art is exceptional because it’s wholly original and imaginative.
When did you decide to make it a career and why? It’s a life-long passion. Careers are money-making occupations. A serious artist creates art for art’s sake, and it’s a life-long passion, as might be dance, music, gardening, cooking, raising kids.
Where has your artwork been exhibited? Check my resume www.hobaron.com
Is it hard to be an artist in El Paso? Anywhere else? One can be a creative artist anywhere, though earning a living at it is difficult anywhere unless you’re in the right place at the right time. El Paso is extremely tough, an unsophisticated, poor U.S. city.
What is your favorite piece that you have created? There have been many, check “A Novel Romance” facing Cleveland Square behind the downtown EP Public Library.
What is your favorite art piece in the world? The Garden of Earthly Delights, Hieronymus Bosch favorite artist, early ‘visionary artist.’
Where can we see your art right now? A body of my work is visible in my Sculpture Garden and Gallery, 2830 Aurora.
Nacho L. Garcia Jr.
Kind of artist: Caricaturist, illustrator, portrait sketcher and designer.
How old were you when you discovered art? When I was three years old.
How did you know you were good at it? In grade school, the teacher and students told me.
When did you decide to make it a career and why?: My high school teachers encouraged me and during my years at UTEP, I found some advertising and design jobs.
Is it hard to be an artist in El Paso? It’s hard, but you can do well here.
What is your favorite piece that you have created? A large 40-inch-by-60-inch oil portrait of my immediate family
What is your favorite art piece in the world? Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome.
Where can we see your art right now? I did a mural commemorating the 1966 Texas Western NCAA basketball championship in the Spirit of ‘66 Bar and Grill, 2712 N Mesa St.
Jaime Santiago Gonzalez
Kind of artist: Folk artist
How old were you when you discovered art? I was 5 years old when I discovered art.
How did you know you were good at it? I knew I was good in the 4th grade. My art subject was paper mache
When did you decide to make it a career and why?: I made it when I sold my first piece at the International Museum of Art. 1211 Montana. I exhibited there, the El Paso Museum of History. the Rock House Gallery and the San Carlos Building.
Is it hard to be an artist in El Paso? It’s hard to be an artist because it’s not appreciated as much.
What is your favorite piece that you have created? My favorite piece I created is a sculpture of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
What is your favorite art piece in the world? The tilma or the cloak made of cactus fiber worn by Juan Diego that has the Virgin of Guadalupe image in Mexico.
Where can we see your art right now? My work is currently on display at the San Carlos Building, 501 Texas Ave.
Alejandro Lomeli
Kind of artist: visual artist
How old were you when you discovered art? I remember already drawing at about the age of 4.
How did you know you were good at it? I was always told by people around me that I was exceptional at it, but it really sunk in once people started offering me money for it.
When did you decide to make it a career and why? I have always enjoyed being creative and being an artist has always been of interest to me. As a Union Sheetmetal worker, I found myself more laid off than working after moving back to El Paso. About six years ago, I started exhibiting my work at a local gallery with hopes of making some income. After having a pretty good reception of my work, I decided to pursue it a bit more. It has become a big part of my life and I feel like I’m living the dream.
Where has your artwork been exhibited? At this point, it has only been exhibited here in El Paso and once in Las Cruces. This September, I’ll be venturing out further to Albuquerque and am going to be part of an exhibit at the South Broadway Cultural Center.
Is it hard to be an artist in El Paso? It hasn’t been hard being an artist here. El Paso has been pretty receptive. Making a living at it can be hard though.
What is your favorite piece that you have created? My favorite piece so far has been the Sunset Heights mural at the Pearl Apartments at the corner of Santa Fe and Yandell. I really enjoyed pushing my ability and having other local artists I admired help out with it.
What is your favorite art piece in the world? I don’t have a particular favorite piece but I have really been admiring Diego Rivera’s mural work lately.
Where can we see your art right now? I’m not exhibiting at the moment, but you can see my murals and signage throughout town.
Hal Marcus
Kind of artist: I am a folk art/modern painter doing figurative and dreamscapes of El Paso
How old were you when you discovered art? I was 15 years old
How did you know you were good at it? My art teacher in high school told me I was good at art in 1967
When did you decide to make it a career and why? I decided when I was 15 years old that I wanted to be an artist.
Where has your artwork been exhibited? A dozen public buildings in El Paso and throughout hundreds of private and corporate collections.
Is it hard to be an artist in El Paso? Anywhere else? It is very hard to be an artist everywhere. It takes commitment, dedication and 100% of one’s intention.
What is your favorite piece that you have created? To date, a mural called El Paso! Installed at Providence Hospital on Transmountain in El Paso
What is your favorite art piece in the world? Always the one I’m currently working on.
Where can we see your art right now? At the Hal Marcus Gallery, located at 1308 N. Oregon.
