‘A Carnival of Mystery and Delight’ benefit
There's nothing more clichéd than a tortured artist. But while most creative types would admit they draw a certain level of inspiration from misery, not all would sign up for a bummer as big as a kidney transplant. Ask Luis Sanchez.
Born in Mexico City and raised in Seattle, Sanchez has built a successful career over the last decade creating his textured frescoes while enjoying relatively good health. Applying a complicated potion of plaster and paint to canvas, he has pioneered new techniques for panels that are expertly cracked and weathered, rich with earthy hues, and vignetted with smoky edges. He also puts half-naked carnival dancers in them. (Thanks, Luis!)
After moving to L.A. six years ago, Sanchez says, he became inspired by the "art mecca" of the Downtown scene—a tight-knit community that includes everyone from sculptors to vaudevillian performance troupes. But amid his growing success, he's had to go on hiatus to deal with the prospect of a second transplant. (Not cool.)
On June 8, his Downtown troupe will throw a "Carnival of Mystery and Delight" benefit at MJ Higgins, where Sanchez will sell limited-edition art prints of his frescoes as well as some original pieces. Twenty bucks gets you a ticket in, the chance of winning a piece (valued in the thousands), a burlesque show headed by Leslie Brockett, DJ sets, some tasty grub and good karma. And you never know—some fire-dancers or stilt-walkers just might show up.
Pictured: "What Happened to Liberty?"; 30-by-40-inch diptych; acrylic and dry pigment on fresco on canvas.
