Gene Flores

I want to feature this great artist again; Gene Flores. I wrote about him in the past here and here and here.

He's going to be at the High Desert Art Festival this weekend in Bend, Oregon for all of you locals. I just looked at the list of artists who will be there and I can recommend it as a show that has attracted the best artists in our area.

Gene and his wife Joan are family friends; we spent the better part of the day at their house and studio yesterday and once again they prepared food all day that was soooo good. We ate al fresco where we could admire their gardens and trees. They have grandchildren now (how time flies!) so we caught up on all the news.

Gene cooks! Gene makes ice cream for his guests! Gene Gene Gene. No wonder I write about you on my blog. Here he grills annato, chili and orange juice marinated chicken, beef and pork for the fajitas.

We tour the printmaking studio. I drool over his uncluttered space.

I shoot photos of his big etchings; this one approximately 24x30" (my guess, maybe a little smaller than that).

Compare the two that are similar. He draws and hand paints each one so that it is unique. It's impossible for me to choose a favorite.

We nose through all his stuff. Yum yum.

Lots of Gene's work is funny as well as political. I think I see some radio personalities in the background and a Fox "news" man on the ground. Tribulation and vexation stalking the central figure.

Here we see in a detail her green card and Birth Certificate; necessary documentation thanks to the vigilance of the radio and faux news people.

I had not known about the technique Gene used to do the detailing in the robe. Sharpie pen over aquatint. I bet Picasso wishes he would have had that.

After the studio visit we settle down to the food. Masa harina tortillas, hand patted and toasted on a comal.

A little food, a little beer, a patio table under the umbrella, throw in some sunshine, sparkling conversation and we're all set.

Everyone is smiling, even the flowers.

Three desserts and home made vanilla ice cream. Peach Cobbler, Blueberry and Blackberry Crisp and Almond Poundcake. I do like me some poundcake, berries and ice cream.

For a great video of Gene demonstrating and talking about his work go here.