February 2010

“To create one’s own world, in any of the arts, takes courage.”
—Georgia O’Keeffe

I first discovered René Hugo Arceo‘s El Poeta while browsing Etsy and finding The Serie Project’s shop. I marked it as a favorite, knowing I would soon return to make the purchase when financial circumstances permitted. Soon, however, turned into many months—not necessarily due to a lack of funds but simply because I forgot about it. Eventually I rediscovered El Poeta (scrolling through my “Favorites” one day) and finally bought the limited-edition print, which is now framed and hanging in my library.

Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, René Arceo’s body of work is remarkably diverse, spanning a broad spectrum of styles, subject matter, and media—from a whimsical figure with colorful acrylics on paper to an abstract watercolor on canvas. But this Chicago-based artist makes the most memorable impression through printmaking. In his brilliant linocut prints, Arceo blends hints of surrealism with various influences—from his Mexican roots to the students he teaches at Chicago public schools—to form his distinct brand of contemporary folk art.

With El Poeta, Arceo celebrates the importance of the poet and honors the power of the pen. As a writer, the subject of the work immediately resonated with me, and the bright, vibrant colors and fantastical scene only enhanced its appeal. As the Etsy description states,

El Poeta is a fantastic figure; he is a creator deep in thought and surrounded by his muses and characters he can bring to life with the power of his words. Like a plant, the poet is a vivid green and through him there is potential for growth, hope and new life….As an artist, Arceo feels a kinship with the poet, who also has the power to create worlds.

El Poeta is part of Serie XV, 2007-2008, celebrating The Serie Project‘s 15th anniversary. Based in Austin, Tex., The Serie Project is a Latino-oriented nonprofit program dedicated to producing and promoting fine art serigraphs. Each limited-edition print (50 in this case of El Poeta) is a unique creation, not simply the result of reproducing a painting in large quantities. Thanks to serigraph printmaking, more people can enjoy original artwork at more reasonable prices. As Arceo puts it, “multiplicity can contribute to reaching larger audiences while subsequently making the artwork affordable or more accessible.” Amen to that, I say, as I attempt to summon the muse, staring no longer at a blank wall but El Poeta—a regular reminder of the power of the written word, of art.