Artist's Statement

Joe L. Lopez
b.1945, San Antonio, Texas

With an irrepressible sense of ethnic identity and a love for the subtle aspects of his cultural traditions, Lopez explains, "I enjoy painting things I relate to, things that remind me of my childhood in the barrio. People can relate to my paintings because we have shared a common experience.  I paint life the way it is...real life. I include the holes in the little boy's t-shirt and the wrinkles on people's faces and hands. We are Tex-Mexicanos and our roots are from Mexico. 

I like to call my work Chicano Barrio art, with emphasis on Barrio! Growing up, I saw both sides of life and I prefer to paint the positive and beautiful side. I never want to forget where I came from... I am an American of Mexican descent and that is what I paint. I am not unique, there are millions of people who grew up this way.  Even though life was rough, we survived.  I am proud to go back to my roots, and paint images that evoke memories of a proud lifestyle. The greatest compliment I can receive, is from an individual who looks at my work and says ‘that's my uncle!' or ‘I had forgotten that!'."

At a ceremony honoring Lopez, Father Virgil Elizondo of the Archdiocese of Texas, praised Joe Lopez for his paintings portraying the historic San Fernando Cathedral and concluded his thoughts by saying, "he captures our soul."