(Above) 1938 Pablo Picasso (Spanish artist, 1881–1973) Maya with Dolls. This painting is one of El Moises’ favorite of Picasso.

It is official — El Moises is our Chiano Picasso of the 21^st century.

I chose Pablo Picasso as the analogy due to the vibrant and rich colors he incorporated into his paintings in the early 20^th century.  While Picasso is known for his cubism, it wouldn’t surprise me if Moises becomes known for his cross hatching technique.

Moises told me art saved him.  I can verify this truth and see it in his deep dark brown eyes that tell me

(Above) El Moises — photo by Sam Gomez

he’s an old soul.

He was the featured artist for the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix as they celebrated their 1^st birthday bash recently.  The timing could not have been more perfect to this regard, and the meaning of it all seems to be converging.

It was appropriate for the Renaissance Hotel to choose such an effervescent artist like Moises because Renaissance by it’s definition is best remembered as the cultural movement which included innovative flowering of Latin and vernacular literatures and painting.  The French meaning of Renaissance means “re-birth”, and it is told many revolutions were sparked from the era.

Indeed 2012marked a new era for many of us, and we welcome regenerating artists like El Moises to

(Above) Frida painting by El Moises — photo by Sam Gomez

paint what many Mexican-Americans feel and bleed within our lives.  We do want to remember history in the southwest in an era where ethnic studies and history has been taken away from us … and while they try to take our books away, other forms of communication might manifest themselves through art.   For instance, Moises’ painting of Frida Kahlo de Rivera is exquisite with the sun bursting yellow background, the cactus-colored greens, and the colored flowers arranged like a halo in her hair doing their best to detract from her unibrow trademark. Frida was a Mexican artist who is best remembered for her self-portraits and marrying another famous Mexican artist – Diego Rivera.  I am confident she was smiling from the Heavens when Moises painted her.

(Above) Live art demonstration at Renaissance Hotel – photo by Sam Gomez.

Portrait paintings are no stranger to Moises as he has painted many others not limited to Steve Jobs, Zapata, and Lynda Carter.  You can see his painting techniques in his murals, too, in surrounding businesses bought by business owners who have an appreciation for culture and fine art.

With each passing day we are seeing Moises becoming more recognized for his hard earned work and the passionate precision invoked onto blank pieces of canvas.  He is recognized by thousands upon thousands as I watch his fan base increase with a deep appreciation for his art.

A special thank you to the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix for remembering our brother.  He is gifted and we thank you for recognizing his talent. We look forward to the continuation of the Downtown Phoenix Revitalization for the Streetscape Project.

Photo by Sam Gomez

(Above) El Moises at Renaissance Hotel after live art demonstration.

Lila Downs

Lila Downs is one of my favorite ranchera singers.  A woman who is proud of our rich, rich Mexican culture.  So much so she also incorporates indigenous Mexican influences and has recorded songs in indigenous languages such as Mixtec, Zapotec, Mayan, Nahuatl and P’urhépecha.

I was especially happy to see Lila’s music in the movie Frida (2002).  Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter born in born in Coyoacán^.

I encourage you to visit Lila’s website here, and below is her self-accomplished bio:

Lila Downs just released the album PECADOS Y MILAGROS (Sins and Miracles) on iTunes and will be available soon in physical format. The title and concept are inspired by the themes of traditional votive paintings of Mexico, as well as her infant son. The new songs are born of the reasons to find items and symbols that give us strength.

Lila Downs, born in Oaxaca, Mexico, is the daughter of Mixtec singer Anita Sánchez and Allen Downs, a Scottish-American art professor and filmmaker. She grew up in Oaxaca, California, and Minnesota, where she graduated from the University of Minnesota in voice and anthropology. Downs is usually accompanied on her musical journey by her longtime band, La Misteriosa, multi-cultural multi-instrumentalists who include Paul Cohen, her collaborator, producer and husband.   FULL STORY >>>

Here is one of my favorite songs by Lila Downs: