Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – On Friday, December 27 from 6-10 pm, a cocktail reception will open an art exhibition by Mexican artist Efren Gonzalez at Galleria Dante, Basilio Badillo #269, in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. Be sure to stop by and meet him while you’re out doing this week’s South Side Shuffle.
Efren Gonzalez resides in Ajijic, (his birth place) with his family, in a home he built entirely from the sale of his paintings. For years he struggled with the dream of living and supporting his family from his art; a dream he realized everyday, brick by brick.
Born on June 1, 1972, this 46 year-old, impassioned, local talent, stands out even in the pantheon of Lakeside greats. His paintings are intensely alive, full of color, meaning and insights into Mexico.
“Art started with a pencil,” Efren says, “almost as soon as I could hold it,” and despite a few short detours, the journey to becoming a “working” artist began early. Efren grew up in Ajijic, winning local and regional drawing competitions as early as primary school. Although he preferred Art to Math and Chemistry in high school, he still didn’t know that one day it would be his career. Sometimes, he still lacks confidence, he admits.
After high school, Efren started out studying Architecture and then Plastic Arts, but shortly found that he hadn’t the patience for either. What career would suit him best? He had worked in restaurants, fabricas, and as a translator, but only to gain his daily bread (his salary), drawing and painting all the while, as a function of his being. Still undecided as to what to do, Efren was offered a grant to study Art at a small college in Maryland. He made the most of the opportunity. More than anything he learned there, he was enriched by seeing in person, great works he had only admired in books. One year later, he returned to Ajijic and took up his brush.
Leaving the hardships of the days when he peddled his work himself, Efren is now sought after by galleries across North America.
A prodigious painter in all media: watercolor, pastel and acrylic, but oil is his preferred medium. Efren participated in the famous Neil James art program in Ajijic. He studied with various artists: Antonio Cardenas; International painter, B.R. Kline; watercolorist. Luis Eduardo Gonzalez; sculptor Kent Clark and etching master, Juan Navarro.
Efren’s paintings depict the things he sees in everyday life – the colorful people and landscape of his beloved Mexico. He is equally well known as a muralist having completed his first intricate mural in the 90’s and since then many more in his beloved Ajijic.
This talented young man will be painting in the gallery several days before his show, so please feel free to stop by and meet him. He will also be offering two oil painting workshops at Galleria Dante in January 2020 – please inquire at: galleriadanteart(at)gmail.com.
Efren has offered painting classes in: Puerto Vallarta, Ajijic, Manzanillo, Melaque, and La Manzanilla. He created & installed a ceramic mural in Coyoacán in Mexico City. He has given lectures in California, Oregon, Michigan, Texas, and exhibited in Houston and Austin. He traveled to Petaluma, California to take oil classes from Camille Przewodek, and was invited to give watercolor classes to a small group on a month-long journey around Portugal.
Come and meet this wonderful artist for cocktails from 6:00 to 10:00 pm on Friday, December 27th at Galleria Dante, the largest and most eclectic art gallery in Puerto Vallarta.
While you are there, be sure to check out Di Vino Dante, a chic wine and tapas bar overlooking the gallery’s sculpture garden that serves creative cuisine and cocktails Monday-Saturday from 2:00-11:00 pm, and features live music every M, T, W, F & Sat night. Please Note: Di Vino Dante does not take reservations on South Side Shuffle nights.
Open Mon-Fri from 10 am-5 pm, Galleria Dante is located at Basilio Badillo #269 in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. For more information, call (322) 222-2477, or send an email to info(at)galleriadante.com.
Click HERE to learn more about Galleria Dante.