By Pam Bunch
Special to The 830 Times
“I’ve always been an artist. As long as I can remember, I’ve always loved drawing, painting and at the early age of seven I was fascinated with drawing stick horses and cowboys,” stated featured artist Cris Escobar of Del Rio.Escobar will be the featured artist at Lee-Bunch Studio Gallery, 100 W. Greenwood, for the May 6 First Friday Art Walk from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.I met Cris for the first time back in the early 90’s when we both were exhibiting our art through the Artist Nest at the Mall here in Del Rio. Then just a few years later Cris and I did some art shows together and exhibited some of our work at the International Air Port in San Antonio. Great beginnings for both artists.
Escobar was born in Brigham City, Utah in 1958 and grew up traveling through the Southwest and Eastern U.S. as a migrant farm worker. “Most of my art work,” states Cris, “relates to my Mexican American heritage and my vaquero art, I owe to my father who was a true vaquero from the early ‘40’s until he retired ranch life in ’69.”
Escobar was introduced to acrylic painting by renowned mural artist from Austin, Texas Raul Valdez. Then during the late ‘70”s Escobar was introduced to oil painting by a local Mexican American artist Efrain Garza here in Del Rio. These lessons were short, but very rewarding said Escobar. Through his art, Escobar depicts the Chicano and Mexicano experience along with the rich traditions of his culture.
In 1991 Escobar attained his fine arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso with his certification through Sul Ross State University in Del Rio. This was attained along with the great support from his girlfriend who is now his wife! Since then, Escobar has devoted much of his time to community arts organizations, social service agencies, and local schools. He is deeply concerned with environmental issues, social injustice, and cultural preservation and uses his art to promote ecological and social consciousness.
The most recognizable accomplishment for Cris has been a book published in 2005 titled, “Four Decades of Mexican American Art/Triumph of Our Communities,” where four of his artwork images were featured. His artwork has been collected by numerous renowned art collectors as well as other individuals throughout the state of Texas. Escobar stated that this coming June he is scheduled to exhibit at the Dock Space Gallery in San Antonio, which is a contemporary art space located in the Lone Star Art District.
Escobar will be available for meeting and greeting his guests and will answer questions concerning his art work during the art walk hours. Refreshments and beverages will also be served. Lee-Bunch Studio Gallery is open daily Mon-Fri from 11:00 am to around 6:30 pm with Sat. being by appointment. The exhibit for Cris Escobar may be viewed throughout the month of May along with paintings by local and regional renowned Texas artists.
For more information call Bunch at 830-774-3456.
