Among Ernie Guerrero’s many accomplishments are a vast body of work, spanning over forty five years and encompassing many forms of media. After pursuing an educational goal and obtaining a master’s degree he began teaching drawing, painting, and sculpture throughout the Southern California public, and private art school systems. Guerrero is versatile with many materials, therefore his experiments in oils, and mixed media painting have been the focus of his attention all his life.
He has an amazing ability to capture an emotion, or the character of his subject, with color and line. His style is unique and once experienced can’t be mistaken for any other. Ask any of the thousands of students he’s had in his thirty one years of teaching “who their greatest influence has been,” and the answer will be the same – Guerrero taught me that art is in everything, if I just have the vision to see it, the heart to capture it, and the courage to express it.
When Guerrero works, he does an extensive study of the subject, starting with sketches, small studies in paint or mixed media. Then seeing several ways to express the subject, he may do several finished pieces. Any of his studies could stand alone, but he’s looking for those moments of transcendence all artist’s experience when something just flows out through them, and they seem to create something that speaks to the heart of the human condition.
His work is rich, and sometimes playful. His figures and portraits speak volumes to the viewer of how he sees and translates – the human experience. If this is your first time to this website, your in for a treat of color and the joy of discovering Ernie Guerrero’s work.
Written by Jeffery Shirley – Former student, Professional Artist, Owner of JS Designs, and friend for over thirty years.