Emigdio Vasquez
Encyclopedia
Emigdio Vasquez is an American
artist and mural
ist. His artistic works and photorealistic
style are studied and appreciated by art critics nation-wide. He is often recognized for his mural The Legacy Of Cesar Chavez.
, his father worked for Phelps Dodge
copper mines. In the early 1940s they moved to Orange, California
. In kindergarten at Killefer Elementary, he began developing an interest in art. He copied the drawings in comic book
s and base them on stories his father told him about the Mexican Revolution
. In the late 1950s he took up oil painting
. In the mid 1960s, inspired by Diego Rivera
, he painted his first mural, in his parents' patio. In 1979 he earned a Master of Fine Arts
degee. His works have appeared in some of the milestone exhibitions of Chicano art, including the 1975 "Chicanarte" exhibit at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and in UCLA's "Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation" in 1990. Most recently he was featured artist at the 2002 Orange County Fair
and received an award for his painting "Obreros" at California's State Fair, Sacramento.
Cousin, Rachel Vasquez De La Riva, Richard and Angie De La Riva
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist and mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
ist. His artistic works and photorealistic
Photorealism
Photorealism is the genre of painting based on using the camera and photographs to gather information and then from this information creating a painting that appears photographic...
style are studied and appreciated by art critics nation-wide. He is often recognized for his mural The Legacy Of Cesar Chavez.
Early life
Born in the mining town of Jerome, ArizonaJerome, Arizona
Jerome is a town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 353.-History:...
, his father worked for Phelps Dodge
Phelps Dodge
Phelps Dodge Corporation was an American mining company founded in 1834 by Anson Greene Phelps and William Earle Dodge, Sr.. On March 19, 2007, it was acquired by Freeport-McMoRan and now operates under the name Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.-History:...
copper mines. In the early 1940s they moved to Orange, California
Orange, California
Southern California is well-known for year-round pleasant weather: - On average, the warmest month is August. - The highest recorded temperature was in 1985. - On average, the coolest month is December. - The lowest recorded temperature was in 1950...
. In kindergarten at Killefer Elementary, he began developing an interest in art. He copied the drawings in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s and base them on stories his father told him about the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
. In the late 1950s he took up oil painting
Oil painting
Oil painting is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil—especially in early modern Europe, linseed oil. Often an oil such as linseed was boiled with a resin such as pine resin or even frankincense; these were called 'varnishes' and were prized for their body...
. In the mid 1960s, inspired by Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera
Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez was a prominent Mexican painter born in Guanajuato, Guanajuato, an active communist, and husband of Frida Kahlo . His large wall works in fresco helped establish the Mexican Mural Movement in...
, he painted his first mural, in his parents' patio. In 1979 he earned a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
degee. His works have appeared in some of the milestone exhibitions of Chicano art, including the 1975 "Chicanarte" exhibit at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and in UCLA's "Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation" in 1990. Most recently he was featured artist at the 2002 Orange County Fair
Orange County Fair
Orange County Fair may refer to any of several large fairs throughout the United States.*Orange County Fair *Orange County Fair *Orange County Fair...
and received an award for his painting "Obreros" at California's State Fair, Sacramento.
Cousin, Rachel Vasquez De La Riva, Richard and Angie De La Riva