No limits...and The end of 2006

"I am a big believer of the idea that art should have no limits and should exist with or without museums or galleries. The purpose of making art should be greater than where it is to be exhibited.
If art sells and you feel a success because it pays the bills or buys things, there should be nothing wrong with that, a plumber, carpenter or doctor will feel the same way for the work has served its purpose for its success."

A cold early morning, a day before new years eve I put my hands in my pocket as I stood proudly in front of my artwork at the 77 Pulga . I didn't expect a heavy flow of people but I felt compelled to be there one more time before the new years. Joe Saldana the front man for The Livends an already legendary band in the underground punk scene took time to chit chat. Turns out that Joe is also a painter and UTB fine arts graduate. Joe commented how Carlos Gomez :Chicano painter, professor and curator is his mentor and big inspiration to his art. During our talk I notice the flow of people began to increase. Joe went off with his business in search of old records and nostalgia, but before he left I told Joe I wanted to post an artist interview on TAOB blog. He agreed and exchange contact info and set a date for the near future.

Among the passers by, a gentleman by the name of Humberto Jimenez stop by to say hello. He said to be from Monterrey and a friend of Daniel Maldonado and had seen my artwork before which he commented that he liked. He also mentioned how he had currently finished several paintings and was in Brownsville to talk to Dr. R. Montalvo a great supporter of the Arts. In our conversation he mention how he had exhibited with Ray Smith "an artist just recently in exhibition at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts. It was nice to talk to him for he had plenty to say. As we talked crowd gathered again to check out my artwork. I had already sold a few drawings and had two great conversation I thought it had already been a good day.

A little later local artist and art teacher Eduardo Ibarra passed by with a quick stop to say hello. It was almost noon and I was already thinking about closing shop but it was kind of too early. A couple of more people stop by some of which had baught art from me before. They were interesting in aquiring one or two more. I was flattered and truly honored to have already a following.

As I waited for a pickup of my last sale, I was approach by a crowd. It was Marisela Cortez Executive Director of the Historic Brownsville Museum with family and freinds. She told me she had heard about me selling my artwork at the pulga . She looked delighted and please to talk for a good while. She mention how Cliff had recently visited for his plans to do a photo realistic painting of her. Cliff, an artist with plans to do a series of several photo realistic portraits of local art aficionados. It was a good conversation of the local art scene and and upcoming events. Before she left one of the person she with , a young girl, baught a painting acrylic on canvas titled: el padre, el hijo, el espirito santo which she said was a great painting a a bargain for the price. I left shortly after that thinking it had been a good year..........

Gabriel Treviño