True Riches Second Part
By Federico Leon de la Vega - September 2006
Little by little I begun to be known as a respectable painter in my new city. In addition to the clients from Mexico City who continued to order commissions every so often, Vallarta turned out to be a wonderful contact for my market in the US. My economic situation improved and we continued the construction of the "Estudio-Café" in Nuevo Vallarta. By November 2001 we were able to take a decisive step, so important to our plans, and open the restaurant that would bring clients to see my paintings in a relaxed environment. We only had a wall in front of the marina, a few tables and chairs donated by beer manufacturer Cervecería Moctezuma and awnings provided by Coca-cola. Behind the wall there was on-going construction, mortar and gravel.
Nevertheless we had what it took to make headway toward success: an enormous desire to offer quality at a good price no matter the effort it took. Tourists arrived, mostly from Canada and the US, some from Mexico City and Guadalajara. Lupita my sister in law cooked while the rest of the family waited on tables. I would paint under the worst lighting conditions, at times under a blue tarp or directly under the scorching Vallarta sunshine. We started earning money not only from painting but also from the restaurant, one would complement the other. We earned a reputation for tasty, healthy food and we always kept the place spotlessly clean. People came for the food and the ambiance, to enjoy art as well. Everyday we ended exhausted, but we would rise excited and happy each morning, full of enthusiasm because we could now see the light at the end of the tunnel. We didn't resort to much publicity, mostly it was word of mouth that made us know. It wasn't just any client we were after, but those who had good taste and were truly interested in art. In spite of our limitations and that we were still building, we always managed a modest touch of distinction and aesthetics: natural flowers, good napkins, uniforms candles, original recipes. We steered clear of anything we knew to be common, yet we served some impressively delicious bean dish which satisfied the most demanding palate. We concentrated on Spanish and Mexican food, as fine as our limited utensils permitted.
One day hotelier Martin Good called me to his office. He was about to inaugurate Metamorphosis, a sort of bar and gallery. We came to an agreement and I painted 20 pieces, the "Intimate Fruit" collection. Martin is known for his good taste and generosity and he displayed it with me. The theme of the fruits became popular and I continued to be accredited. Our economic problem was then reduced to the Summers. Those terrible months of September, hot and muggy when there is no tourists, when savings come to end and the new season seems far away still. Any Vallartan merchant will understand... I am sure.
By the end of our second season we decided to go ahead and invest our savings for in continuing construction, although we knew we would not be having any income for a few months. Since both my wife and I were legally able to work in the US we went to California to get some temporary jobs, anything to get by until it was time to open our business again. However, days and weeks went by and we could get anything; the 9-11 attack on the twin towers and the collapse of the stock market had a terrible effect on the economy, so getting a job was a slow and difficult process. We finally exhausted the money we had and my brother Gerardo sent us return tickets and an invitation to wait the season at his home in Mexico City (I have a younger brother with a big heart).
 Saddened by the way our venture turned out I reckoned, for the umpteenth time, that it was again a mistake to dedicate myself to something different than what I really wanted to do. I took out my easel and opportunity came knocking once again, from Vallarta itself and in my own field: Martin Good was building a large restaurant on the Cuale river, the "Bianco" and wanted me to do a mural painting for it. I dedicated myself to this project which was amply publicized and gave me a much needed boost, making my artwork known all over the bay and much further. The restaurant was decorated with Martin's impeccable taste all in white except for my painting which depicted giant tangerines in exuberant oranges, red and yellows, with organic, voluptuous shapes, so it became an excellent showcase. I received endless compliments. Women would arrive at the restaurant and ask to be seated next to it, where stares concentrated. People would call from the US wanting to know about my work and I landed some new projects. I hereby thank Martin again for this opportunity. Although Bianco is no longer there and the tangerines mural has been retrieved -I painted it on canvas which was then glued to the wall so it could be removed if necessary- many people still remember and its effect remains, as I have more requests for fruits than any other subject. I here present a photo of the tangerines mural.
Writing about true riches took me much longer than I thought. To come to the point where I could properly express how I now feel abundantly rich I had to describe my previous circumstances and thoughts, and the process by which I arrived at the present. Our life in the big city, full of stress and haste, has been exchanged for another life, with meaningful work and time to share with loved ones, and which I value so much thanks to the great effort it took us to get to where we now are. I live from doing what I am, work defines the man: I am a painter artist.
If by chance the reader is longing for a drastic chance in her or his life, I suggest two readings for inspiration: from the Bible, John 10:10 ...about abundant life and Henry David Thoreau's "Walden Pond". True Riches are well hidden from merely economic spirits.
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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