It has been a few weeks since I created an artwalk. It is time to do so. I love to showcase talents that are on the verge of something big.
Let me introduce you to a very wonderful lady friend of mine, Chela Banuelos. We go way back in time to the late 70’s. As back up vocalists for a 50’s Rock and Roll band called “Hot Rod and the Pistons”, we rocked around the clock. Yes, you guessed it. We were two out of the three pistons. One of the most hysterical highlights I recall was when we mimicked the “Supremes” in these gold lame dresses and shoes to match. What a hoot!
Now, let me introduce you to her most charming husband, Joseph Banuelos. He and I go even further back. During that time of my life, I was an art representative. Joseph was the most prolific and talented artists I had the opportunity to hustle jobs for. We had a blast in that industry way back then. Times were different. Life seemed easier or maybe we were just young enough to enjoy it more.
Today, 2008 we are still active musicians but we have our own band and musicians. Artist always find ways to stay in touch. We are kindred souls and keep a tribe of artist’s friends within our inner circle. Joseph and Chela have more than life to give to people. The great thing about giving is at some point someone will take notice of you. The press was soon to recognize the size of their hearts. I also find it interesting that they chose a heart for their identity of their collaborative art gallery called “Amorviejo Art“. Their subtitle “Old Love, New Wisdom” truly speaks their truth. Recently, they came up with a vision for helping the homeless. Read on to hear what the press wrote about their tremendous love and spirit.
Allysia Michelle James wrote an article about the most unusual gallery showing in Santa Ana, California. Most likely, there has never been an exhibit like this in pristine Orange County.
SIDEWALK ANGELS The Sidewalk Angel Project is unique and emphatic journey for two artists, Chela and Joseph Banuelos, owners of Amorviejo Art Gallery. As the creators of the Sidewalk Angel Project, they approached homeless persons on the streets of their community and asked them to confess their personal struggles. They would then pay these people for their sings and give them tools to make a new sign. They found the title for their porject on one of these signs which stated “Sidewalk Angel”. For the exhibit artists would carry these signs in a performance art piece. The point of the porject is to is to demonstrate the lives of the homeless people in a way that would communicate the struggle of these people’s lives and to provide a certain amount of individual aid to the homeless.
“Joseph says, We were moved to ask ourselves. “As artists, what can we do to help?” Chela and I decided to view the signs of the homeless as art and started collecting them. Chela would was orginally afraid of these individuals found herself to become personally acquainted. These people and their situations came real to her.”
The response for this event led to another exhit at the 2nd City Council Cent of Long Beach, California called “Home and the Homeless”.
“My journey is spontaneous and takes many twists and turns. The results are pieces that offer solutions to issues by reminding us of who we are and the choices we make. Art effects individuals not societies. Art needs to remind us of our higher selves. When we come from the consciousness of peace we create peace. And so it goes for whatever we desire.”says Joseph.
Chela’s approach is meditative. “The necessity for inner peace helped propel me to begin my artistic journey. Every time I start a new piece of art, I have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Since I’m an outsider artist with no official training, I have only an urgency to create to push me through some of the decision making process. I feel compelled to share this experience of peace in my life to others who are looking for it.”
I would have to say the most intriging part about my two friends is the support that they have for each other. The vision is clear with a daily evening calendar of working closely together creating art in their studio. How many couples do you know that spend more than a few bites of food together daily, if that?
There are many riches to have in the world. If you have just enough money to take care of business at hand, I believe life can be good. If you have a lot of money, it can be better if you keep things in perspective. Knowing that I have friends around me who choose Love and Freedom and Peace of Mind gives me the belief that it’s a great world out there!
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