RAICES TALLER 222
ART GALLERY & WORKSHOP
David Tineo
His canvases are brilliant. The figures in his paintings are larger than life. From his brush come stories that embrace traditional Mexican legends David Tineo is a globally-recognized painter and muralist whose bold, colorful works bring the myths, folktales, the spiritual truths behind them, and unique perspectives on the paradox of Mexican-American identity in the United States.
There is more to David Tineo’s artwork that can be seen by the naked eye. We know this simply because the artist himself cannot see his work. David Tineo is blind and has been so for the last ten years. Though his career as a teacher was cut short by macular degeneration that in 2004 came from nowhere and left him legally blind, it could not stop him from being an artist.
“My art conveys the essence of the human Spirit and the hope of humanity."—Tineo
Tineo’s world is now one not of darkness but of white, painful glare. It prevents him from discerning light, shadow, or different shades of color. And so, determined to continue painting, Tineo learned to “see” with his hands. He lays his canvases flat upon tables (and bigger works upon the floor) and uses silicon caulk to outline the artwork he sees in his head. The adhesive creates a raised, three-dimensional surface that allows him to feel his paintings. David then gives the work subtle textures with a wet sponge before applying his pants. This tactile style of painting has changed over the years, and David’s artwork has evolved with it, becoming more symbolic, the colors more direct, and the ideas more immediate.
It is for these reasons, among others, that his later paintings have more impact and feel than earlier works. The textures are not just visual; they’re real and can be felt by the hand, heart, and eye.
To learn more about David Tineo see his entry in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Tineo
