The origin of this painting is the observation of the being and its origins. It constitutes a dialog between the random patterns ink makes over the surface and my artistic aim, which is to stimulate the viewer through compositions that suggest skins of nature.

Studied Architecture and soon embarked in a career as painter. Had 22 solo and 24 group exhibits, including some in Mexico, USA and Canada. Muralist, having produced 54 murals.

Art Dept interview:

As the winner of your category in the 2003 International Art Contest, being selected by such a diverse group of artists from all around the world, how do you feel?

At first surprised because I did not realized quite well how such a lot of people could be involved so seriously in arts, with so diverse characters and to tend in the same direction. I think that the criteria used is universal, honest and clear.
I feel honoured to be selected from such an excellent group of artists and grateful to all the persons involved with this project, artists and the organizing committee. This is a great opportunity to share with others what we are convinced of, the world of creativity and the world of Art.

Please describe your current works and any plans for forthcoming exhibits.

Currently I am working with stone, not under the sculpture language but on the painting one, trying to make a link between the fossils world and the arts. That has had been my world, a passion for the sea life, the origin of life and the search of new forms of expression. These days I have a permanent exhibit at my studio pretending to invite anyone who walks in front of it to get involved with arts. I will be participating in February at a Concrete Tradeshow in Orlando, Florida, just to show how technologies can be related with art and how we can create special atmospheres with such cold materials, like concrete.

If any, in what ways have you seen changes in attitudes towards "art"?

I have seen that people are “trying” to get closer to the world of art. Sometimes in some places like where I live, there is not a commitment or an appropriate education around arts, that is why this “trying” is so difficult. Some others, I think that there are such diverse ways of thinking and theories that cause fear on the learners or anyone who wants to be touched by arts; it has to be comprehended that to make a real bond toward arts the only way is the education, clear and real, understanding our time and leaving behind that arts belongs to a few. Then, by the time we will be ready for changes, real attitude changes.

Do you think that the fine artist will survive as technology replaces our skills?

We have to see that the world changes every day, science and technology are walking faster than we could think. Our aim as artists is to be part of the evolution, to understand the time we are living, so we could take new technologies to increase or change our skills but, even if some skills are replaced, there are others that can’t be, like the abstract thought or the creativity (that has to be with the decision of state or choose).
The problem, I think, it is not only the technology, is more complex than that, it has to be with the duty as persons of our time, recognizing what we are now, where we live and a deep, real and serene view of the world.

What advice could you give to those embarking upon a career as an artist?

To be aware to cultivate the experience on basis of the observation, in one hand of our possibilities and in another of the cultural scene we live in. Once a person takes the decision of being an artist, the only pay is the time spent in the studio, all the free experimentation that permits an interior growth.

Why did you enter this contest and what decided your selection for entry?

One of the things is that I observed that the way of voting was an honest one. The selection of the artwork was easy, this painting is one of the most liked.

Is there anything about being an artist that you do not like?

I see some other artists stealing proposals from others and making them as their own and so being dishonest with themselves. I understand that is their problem, not mine, but sometimes the intellectual work is so difficult that it really annoys me that those who are called artists do that.

Would you sell your most favourite artwork, or keep it?

I always say this: “My best and favourite artwork is the last one”, this one always shows my mistakes and confirm my intentions. So imagine if I keep it… there is another thing, when I am in the process of that last artwork, I’m thinking in the next one, and so on.

How important was education and training to you?

It was very important to me. Although I studied Architecture, I decided to be an artist before that. I have never built a house or so but this academic education helped me to find out the social, political and economical context I am living in, gave me a structural thought to continue with a self taught and a closer relationship with the theory of art.

Is there anything in your art career that you would have changed?

Maybe to have more order in the areas where I work, this could help for the time lost.

If you were invited overseas to exhibit your works, where would you like that to be?

Any country where the art can be interpreted like it is, A PROJECT OF LIFE. There is not a specific place, I’ve been in some parts of Europe and it surprised me how art is taken, only like a merchandise (I understand quite well: “From art to merchandise”), but even in this painful truth, a proposal exists, a way of life, something inside that makes a connection to the intellectuality.

Are you looking forward to entering the contest for next year?

Of course, it is very interesting to take a look to the work of other artists as time passes; I would like to share this with this artist community.

Do you recommend use of the Internet for an artist's publicity?

Absolutely. Of course every one has their own way of promoting, and we have to understand that living so far out of the technology it could send us behind the others. It is simply an extraordinary way to share our art with other artists and persons, wherever they live.

How can the Internet be made better for working artists?

I am not able to answer this question, I am beginning to know the different ways that the Internet can be useful to me.

Antonio Ehrenzweig