Fort Worth artist Juan Velázquez is gaining national attention with his poignant artwork which includes portraits of slain soldier Vanessa Guillén and Uvalde shooting victim Alithia Ramírez.
Courtesy of Juan Velázquez. The urban landscape in North Texas pops with vibrant realism in murals honoring Tejano queen Selena, Grand Prairie boxer Vergil Ortiz Jr., the Dallas Cowboys, actor Sam Elliott, deceased Dallas rapper MO3 and Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.For years, Velázquez's medium of choice was oil paint on canvas. But it was a can of Montana 94 spray paint that propelled his pursuit of art into overdrive, allowing him to step into his calling.
“I always felt like I was adopted,” Velázquez says. “Imagine you're in a family and you're adopted, and they're like, ‘OK, you're part of us,’ but you always feel like you're adopted, like you're not really their kid. I always felt that way about America. I wanted to be part of the family.” He practiced by recalling the images of his childhood. Some of his first murals were of Dragon Ball Z characters Goku and Gohan.Courtesy of Juan Velázquez months after she'd gone missing from her base in Fort Hood.
“I never felt represented — represented by the art around my community, or even the museums,” he says. “There's not a single person that matches my skin color at the Kimbell Art Museum or the Modern Art Museum [of Fort Worth]. When you see yourself in the art, it makes you feel better about yourself.”“I turned to the people; I paint for them,” Velázquez says. “I paint stuff that the community likes, and in return, they support me.
Fort Worth’s The Original Del Norte is home to a mural inspired by"La Bamba," a 1940s oil on canvas painting of a couple dancing ballet folklorico by Mexican artist Jesús Helguera.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Fort Worth city council considers abandoned shopping cart crackdownFort Worth City Council will vote on a new ordinance Tuesday that would punish retailers if they don't act quickly to remove shopping carts that have been taken from their property.
Read more »
Racist graffiti targets Fort Worth schoolsCustodians found racist messages and slurs targeting different ethnic groups at Chisholm Trail High School and Ed Willkie Middle School.
Read more »
Wyoming logistics firm lands in North Fort Worth with shipping hubWyoming-based warehousing and transportation firm Spearpoint Logistics is locating a new shipping hub in North Fort Worth.
Read more »
Fort Worth saw 13% drop in violent crime in 2022, police sayEfforts to reduce violent crime appear to be working in Fort Worth. Here's a look at the latest numbers.
Read more »
Things to do this weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth: March 3-5From festivals, to monster trucks, to one of the world's most popular DJs there is a lot to see and do in and around DFW this weekend.
Read more »