I am an Artist of the Mind
by Cristina Frésquez
Published in El Seminario © January 11, 2007

Local Denver artist, Stevon Lucero, has been creating soul captivating visuals for 40 years, transporting people to his world of visions and enlightened thought. Since childhood, Lucero has experienced intense dreams and visions, venturing more then once into separate realities. Through these revelations and studies of metaphysical, philosophical, and historical books and tapes, he has been guided to create two unique art forms: Metarealism and Neo-Precolumbian art.

 

In 1968, he developed Metaphysical Fantastic Realism which later evolved into what he now calls Metarealism and in 1984, he developed Neo-Precolumbian Art. Lucero began working on mural projects in 1978, and has established himself as an accomplished muralist, which includes a mural entitled Tlateco Market, for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

 

With an impressive body of work including over 1,500 paintings, Lucero continues to capture the essence of that which is beyond the physical nature. More than a visual artist he is in truth, a philosopher artist. Each painting reflects a metaphor of his own internal dialogue between himself and God. Each piece tells a story, a story in which the ultimate intent and value lies in the future when people will have a greater understanding and appreciation for true spiritual art.

 

In a recent interview with Lucero he discussed his new exhibit, which is now being displayed at the Chicano Humanities Art Council (CHAC), in the Norte Gallery, will display his many works through the first week of February.

El Semanario: What is the title or theme of your new exhibit at CHAC? ...

 

Does it feature any new pieces of art or any works that have not been previously displayed?

 

Stevon Lucero: It's the old and the new. I brought out a piece I haven't shown in over 30 years, along with a piece I finished a few months ago.

 

El Semanario: What kind of art pieces make-up this particular exhibit?

 

Lucero: This would be my Metarealism pieces and Neo-Precolumbian Art – the Aztec works. Metarealism is the externalization of interior realities that are transformed into visual mystic metaphors via the process of the philosophic state which I call polar synthesis. The paintings are neither reflections of the conscious, as in realism, nor the subconscious, as in surrealism. They are instead, a visual syntheses, symbolizing the spiritual continuum to which they owe their existence and lies at the center of their being. Their being, therefore the personification of thought realities. Thought forms ... as it were. And it does, you know.

 

The Neo-Precolumbian art - these are my re-visions of images of Pre-Columbian México into new vibrant paintings of power and depth, and I recreate them, giving them new meaning without violating the spirit of their original creators. My intent is not to exploit these images but to evolve them.

 

El Semanario: Tell me about the painting Stage, which is the main piece of work in this exhibit. Can you discuss the themes/meanings/symbolism/etc.? How did you come up with the idea for this paining? Why did you decide to call it Stage?

 

Lucero: I titled it Stage because it's a metaphysical self-portrait of the artist as a performer. I am a cerebral artist, an artist of the mind. This is my way to tell the world – this is who I am.

 

There are all kinds of things going on this painting. On the right are stars, tree of life, which leads into artist's subconscious. On the left are shapes – the intellectual side, rational thought, the conscious of the artist. The white figure in the middle is Spirit, which connects these two sides, the conscious and subconscious. There are also many Indigenous images. The eyeball looking out – the eye of God – looking upon the world. The eye is constructed out of a sculpture tool, because the reality is that God is our sculptor.

 

Many of my paintings also feature a little Aztec man in the earlobe. This is the idea of our inner voice within – listen to this voice, be guided by it. I am hoping that when people view my art, they have an internal dialogue going on until they have a revelation – that will lead us to that point.

 

I try to give cues by the titles, by images, of what the painting means to me, but I prefer that people enter the paintings themselves – create your own meaning. Allow this to reflect who you are.

 

Lucero had worked on the art piece entitled Stage, off and on from 1975 to 1988. Revealing his artistic process of painting an art work until it is almost complete, then setting it aside and frequently revisiting the work until he is satisfied with the final product. He also revealed that there are about three or four paintings underneath the finished work of Stage.

 

El Semanario: How do you come up with ideas for your artwork? Is each piece different/ does it vary? Where do you get your artistic influences? Are they driven by personal experience, spiritual, political, etc.?

 

Lucero: I get them from God. I know when you say that to people, sometimes they think you are crazy – that you are seeing things! By this I mean that I am able to clearly see and appreciate the little things in life that many people take for granted – like walking outside a taking a big, deep breath of fresh air and then noticing a little blade of grass growing out of the curb.

 

When you are open to see the creative ideas and embrace your spirit, you see things everywhere from a different perspective. This leads you to another life all around you, and you awake to your life.

 

My problem is that I have more ideas than I do time. I have enough ideas for art pieces that I could keep busy creating new paintings for the next 30 years!

 

When I work on a piece, I string it out – and it will sit in a corner, sometimes, for years. I'm always a little reluctant to finish paintings. Once I sign a painting, it no

longer belongs to me – it belongs to itself and to the world.

 

When asked which work is his favorite, Lucero had a hard time deciding, but mentions Man in Iron Mask, which hasn't been displayed to the public in over 15 years.

 

The artist is also well known for his Aztec pieces of art, which through his unique style of painting, cradles the passion and beauty of Aztec culture.

 

Lucero: My Aztec works – I do these for the gente. These are for the people. I don't do these to exploit or violate the culture, but to enhance it and give it to the people.

 

Lucero recalled a few years ago, when a young Chicana student, who was brought to tears after viewing some of his Aztec works, told him, “When I see your work, you make me feel proud of who I am”.

 

Lucero: We have to embrace our culture and who we are. We are the fusion of two very spiritual people. I hope that my art can awaken that in people and you can find the beauty of who you really are.

 

Lucero, who has been painting for over 40 years, and created over 1,500 canvases, warmly recalls his realization of his own destiny.

 

Lucero: I was a huge fan of Pink Floyd when I was younger, and I remember I bought their Relics album, and the song that struck me the most was Paintbox, which is about a young artist who is given his first paintbox for his birthday. After some investigation, I found out that Pink Floyd recorded this song on November 2, 1967 – Day of the Dead happens to be my birthday - and it also just so happens that on my birthday in 1967, my mother gave me my first oil painting kit!

 

There is magic in your life, there are always little things to discover – if you just look for them.