About the Artist
Alberto Escamilla
An award-winning impressionist painter whose work strongly shows a continuation of those great painters known as the “Independents.”
Biography
Born in Sanderson, Texas, Escamilla's early interest in art began with drawing comic book characters. He came to El Paso to Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso, on an invitation to try out for the basketball team. Discovering that art education was offered as a degree, he decided to take a turn toward what he wanted to pursue, and thus began his life's passion.
His early works consisted of western and southwest scenes, which captured mostly earth tone colors. This type of work was not fulfilling, so he began to study in depth the works and lives of former artists. The more he read and studied the work of the “Independents,” the more he felt a strong connection with the way they believed and painted. He continuously worked on mastering the blending of colors, brush strokes and subject matter to achieve an effect that gave the viewer a sense of beauty and tranquility. Hence, Escamilla's work entered a new dimension which strongly shows a continuation of those great painters.
An award-winning artist, Escamilla was inducted into the El Paso, Texas Artist Hall of Fame. A bronze plaque bust of Alberto is on permanent display in the “Hall of Fame” gallery at the International Museum of Art in El Paso. He has the distinction of winning First Place in El Paso's most prestigious juried art exhibit, Sierra Providence Arts International.
One of Escamilla's collectors is renowned author Cormac McCarthy, known for All the Pretty Horses, No Country for Old Men and The Road. A painting of Isaac Newton that McCarthy commissioned from Escamilla hangs in the Santa Fe Institute. He was also the exclusive poster artist for the International Festival de la Zarzuela from 1992 to 1999.
Artist Statement
“I believe that color is life, showing the abundance of beauty of God's world.”
The tradition in which I work evolves from a group of artists known as the “Impressionists.” These artists who called themselves “The Independents” opened the door to experimentation in color. The direction my work has taken involves giving primacy to color, allowing color to evoke the form, rather than form dictating color.
My work can best be described as work continuously in progress and a continuation of the “Independents.” I try to project a sense of serenity and beauty on my canvas.
Monet, Sisley and Pissarro are the painters whose work I have attempted to build upon. It is their work that has laid the foundation, and it is the great strength of that work that has given me the freedom to pursue their tradition.
— Alberto Escamilla
The Work
Landscapes and beautiful gardens bring out Escamilla's broad use of color. As the light of the day changes, so do the colors. He usually applies paint to the canvas in dabs rather than brush strokes.
He is known for the outstanding skies and clouds in his scenes, often observing cloud formations while he paints to capture the beautiful southwestern skies: hazy skies, storm clouds and everyday formations alike. Another much-loved subject is El Paso's cotton fields.
Following the versatility of the “Independents,” Escamilla paints many subjects: ballerinas in the style of Degas, still life compositions, florals, portraits, seascapes, and special commissions for posters and events. His favorite is the hazy look that resembles Monet's later work. Oil is the medium he uses most often.
Escamilla was the official Zarzuela Festival artist for its duration.
Featured In
- The Gallery Guide, New York City
- Manhattan Arts, New York City
- Las Ventanas del Valle magazine, Las Cruces, NM
- Front cover of The El Paso Scene
- The Form Magazine, El Paso student art magazine
- Live KTSM broadcast promoting Escamilla as El Paso's premier Impressionist artist
- The award-winning video documentary "Hal Marcus 2001"
- Front and back covers of UTEP's "The Rio Grande Review"
- Front book jacket of "Zarzuela: Spanish Operetta, American Stage" by Janet Sturman, University of Illinois Press, featuring "La Del Soto Del Parral"
- Guest Artist of the 1998 Hispanic Showcase, University of Tulsa
- KVIA news segment "A Southwest Treasure"
- KCOS/PBS regional broadcast "Making of a Zarzuela"
- Feature story in the Cenizo Journal, Big Bend area, 2014
- Numerous feature articles in local newspapers
Commissions
A painting made for your wall
Fell in love with a piece that has already sold? Alberto can paint a similar scene in the size you need, or something entirely your own.