Part One
(This is the first of a series of five posts describing my aesthetic or artistic sensibility in more detail.)
My aesthetic is Rustic
Beginning with the exhibit Guerra y Sueño, my paintings have explored the balance between archival quality and rough-hewn character. From the use of re-purposed materials, to patched and sewn painting supports and the direct application of paint from the tube, my work is plainly and purposefully construction grade. The original conceit posited these paintings as the product of a poor painter from Mexico. I have tried to maintain that look and feel.
The cultivated coarseness of the work positions it within a place of poverty, necessity and rough simplicity. This is opposed to the often over precious attitude found in much fine art. My sensibility is burlap and house paint rather than linen and Sennelier.
The use of rustic material and application in my paintings coupled with the fine art setting in which they are found provides an interplay of high and low which is integral to the Tornillo aesthetic. Of course each piece I create has different requirements related to theme, composition and presentation, but below you will find a few examples of my use of rustic features in certain paintings.

This photo shows the palette board stretchers and stitched found-material support of the painting Mi Familia II

This detail of the painting El Aqua y La Vida shows the use of burlap used in context as a “patch” on the garment and also as a bit of texture applied randomly on the painted texture clothing and the pot.

Stitched canvas as a compositional element in the painting Giants In The Land