Having lived in Pueblo for seven years now, Eric has come to know and love our Pueblo community. Eric was born gifted. He was able to draw as long as he could remember. As a child, his parents would watch the Outer Limits and the Twilight Zone. Afraid to view those tv shows, Eric would go into the kitchen, tear open a grocery paper bag and use it as this huge canvas and draw so that he would not have nightmares.
He started out working for his dad who was a contractor. He learned the skills of carpentry at an early age. Eric was a contractor caught in an artist body. Customers would ask him to paint their windows on their businesses with Christmas designs. From there it led to signage. Then Eric made the decision to break from construction and pursue the arts. He wears many hats as an artist. Now he does caricatures, signs, commission portraits, and murals.
Eric was born in California. He met Ron Serna, from the Eastside Commission, who saw him painting murals around town. Ron introduced him to Steve Lucero and a plan was made to restore Plaza Verde Murals. Eric has won many awards for his State Fair Entries. He is now working on a mural at Mitchell Park.
Years ago when Eric first got to town, artist Maria Lopez and Eva Montoya, Eastside Commission/past City Council member, put the idea about a mural at Mitchell Park in Eric’s head. It took some years but Eric took this idea and hit the pavement. He read about the history of the Eastside in a book written by Professor David Sandoval entitled “Spanish/Mexican Legacy of Latinos in Pueblo County.” He talked to many Chicano leaders about the history of the Eastside and they supported him whole heartedly. Tonio LeFebre stated that “Eric and himself work on many projects together. Eric has a deep heart for the community of Pueblo.” Steve Lucero mentioned that when Eric called him and asked for help, he answered, “Here I am. I do what I can when I can for Eastside projects.”
Eric also spoke to leadership at Parks and Rec and City Council to explain his plan and they gave him a thumbs up. He wanted to reach children and teach them their history through art. He presented workshops in mural art at Lucero Library, El Centro del Quinto Sol and Rocky Mountain SER. He put up signs to recruit painters and passed out flyers for every event to meet the artist. He took phone numbers and called students individually to invite them to participate in Mitchell Park Mural Project. The Eastside Boys and Girls Club at Risley took many students to help. Marisol Cardona, third grader said, “I like painting. The mural tells the history of people on the Eastside. It helps young kids learn about their history.” Dayana Spann, seventh grader from Risley, said “She came to paint and help people. I want to show that Pueblo has happiness and colorful art.”
Eric has been working religiously on this project and will be finished soon with touch ups. It will be a class act. After ribbon cutting, work will begin to restore El Vaquero Mural on Joplin Hill.
