The Calling
By Federico Leon de la Vega - June 2006 - Leer en Español
Some people cross our paths with blessings that have a lifetime effect, in ways we will never forget. This was the case of my friend Raul Mercado, who came by my office one day and proposed that I do a show of my paintings. Until then I had painting for a hobby. My job was to act as manager of my father's insurance brokerage agency, which was a much better business than practicing as the Industrial Designer I had studied to be. I would spend my days dressed up in pin-stripe suits and silk ties, talking on the telephone, eating in upscale restaurants with clients and insurance company executives. I would paint only in my free time, and as I was the young father of three handsome and very active boys, there wasn't much of this commodity to go by. Artwork resulting from my passtime I would give away to people who appreciated it, or used for presents in weddings and special occasions. Raúl, who since our days in the University proved to be an excellent designer and always showed impeccable taste, honored me by asking me to show professionally. The place for my first show was a penthouse he had for an office in San Angel, an elegant historical town south of Mexico City. The year was 1984.
Raúl took care of everything, cocktails, waiters, even guest list and invitations. I only painted a few extra pieces to make a total of 26. They were all sold on the night of the opening! The prices were of course low, and those attending were mostly friends -my father bought the last two. Nevertheless, little by little it all added to an attractive amount. This made me think I could save my paintings for an annual show, instead of giving them away.
A few weeks after this first show I got a call from the wife of a friend, who asked about a painting she had seen at the show, but had not made up her mind yet to buy till now. It had already been sold to someone else, so offering to paint a similar one seemed the kind thing to do; I then landed into my first commission. Little did I imagine the day would come when I would have a list of commissioned paintings waiting to be done while I listened to Jazz at home
Clouds appear to be a simplistic subject. Yet, there are clouds and there are clouds. A well executed skyscape can be very original and beautiful. To completely understand their dynamics and beauty one must study them carefully, under different lights. Oceans are similar: the spray and foam have the same tonal variety in whites reflecting surrounding lights and colors. So it seemed only natural to go into seascapes after having painted so many skyscapes. I mention this because when I lived in Guadalupe Inn (a quaint village now engulfed by Mexico City's urban growth) I had famous painter Carlos Mérida for a neighbor. He was already quite old, yet still active and with a sharp mind. On one occasion I decided to visit him and ask his critique on a painting I had just completed. Don Carlos, had been Picasso's friend and schoolmate in Paris, and had a cubistic style of his own. He was kind to me, but at first he refused to tell me what he thought of my work. "I am not an art critic" he said at last, "but since you are my neighbor and you insist, I will tell you what I see, hoping you will not be offended. Be assured that you can paint, evidently you have some have talent, yet this is not a sincere painting. When you began this piece you were captivated by the clouds; you painted them because you felt them with your heart. Then, when you were about finished, you began to think with your cold brain and came to the conclusion nobody could possibly like such a simple subject as just clouds; therefore, you started adding some mountains. As you saw the results were believable, you kept going and got carried away into doing these stupid little pine trees....well rendered by the way. Yet, once done, your heart protested because you had not been faithful to your first motivation -to paint only clouds- and so you realized your mistake and proceeded to erase them a bit, so as to diminish their importance. This is what I can see in your work: it is not a sincere painting. If you wish to paint clouds, go ahead and paint them without minding what people will think of you." I then learned that painting must come from a pure place in the heart; feelings will show in brushstrokes the way nervousness or lies may be detected in handwriting. I here present the painting I entitled "Stupid little Trees", which I used in the cover of my first show. Many other shows followed, in many galleries and clubs. Through success and failure I never could stop painting. It wasn't that I thought I had any special talent, I just knew that was my nature: I simply liked painting. Today, looking back, it all seems logical and sensible: to have finally decided to live as an artist, to draw my sustenance from the sale of my artwork; but there were times when I felt torn in two, when the prudent thing to do seemed to continue as a successful, well-to-do businessman who supported his family properly. It took me many years, but I finally completed the transition. I am pleased to understand that it was not through my own decision or merit. The painting profession came to knock at my door through my friend Raul and it slowly but relentlessly claimed my full time devotion.
My friend Raul, whom I dedicate this chapter to, has passed away. Also Don Carlos Mérida. Alive in my heart remains the firm conviction that in life one must be sincere and do as one thinks. It makes little sense to work just for money, doing something you just can't enjoy; else there is the risk of becoming so terribly poor that money will be our only posession. The job defines the man: people refer to a man as "Joseph, the carpenter" or "Bill, the Banquer" and now, as I am older and hopefully wiser, I enjoy being referred to as "the painter". Thank-you Raul.
Federico León de la Vega
E-mail: fleondelavega@hotmail.com
Author Note: This is a chapter of a book I am writing about my adventures as a painter artist.
The Federico León de la Vega Estudo – Café is open to the public and is located in Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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