HOPE

Hello Friends!

It's been a while since I write to you; I've been busy creating. I've got a few exciting projects in the works which I'll be updating you on soon.

A couple of weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity to participate in an art exhibit titled "Hope". I was asked to contribute one of my original stained glass installations. I instead suggested I would contribute an original painting. One problem, I've never painted before. My initial idea would best be expressed in a painting or a series of paintings...I chose to paint! Continuing my progress as an artist will always involve challenging myself at every turn. I sketched my idea and presented it to them and to my delight they were just as excited as I was.... and the process began.

I turned to my artist friends for ideas and suggestions on tackling my project and to my delight I found a close friend who volunteered his time and most importantly his know-how to help me realize my visions. Ronnie Bonansco is a very experienced painter, philosopher, and teacher and has been pivotal in this projects' realization. As a result of his involvement the project became a collaborative effort. I have learned so much in a very short time, my painting confidence has skyrocketed. We are already working on two of my other projects.

On Sunday, February 15th, I will be displaying my first painting series titled "Hope in My Pearl". The show will be held at the Coffee Cave in Newark, from 3:00-6:00 pm. This is a free event with live music, DJ and the art of 4 other artists. For more information please see the attached flyer from the event sponsors or visit my website at Life is Beautiful.

The Coffee Cave is located at 45 Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07102 (mapquest).

I look forward to seeing you there.  

Life is beautiful! Cid  

Havana Nights Closing Celebration

Hola Party People!
I wanted to write a quick note to thank you all for making my first show experience so amazing. It was great to see so many friends and family last weekend. I've been working long hours these past three months to assure the success of the show. Thank you to all that had the opportunity to attend the opening weekend events and to those of you who couldn't attend you still have a chance to see my works this wee kend's at closing party celebration. Thank you to all my new clients; you are officially my new friends. By investing in one of the many works on display at the show you are investing in a piece of my life...literally! I've spent countless hours working on each piece, detailing to the best of my ability until I reached the point of abandonment. Each and every art piece is dear to me and hopefully you can see and appreciate the labor of love and passion involved. Thank you!
A reminder about this weekend's party: Come early as we are kick starting the festive energy at 7pm.
There's going to be delicious Cuban food, great wine and of course the awesome sounds of David Oquendo.
I've been busy producing this week, I've got a few new and exciting 's items on display at the gallery for this weekend's show and I've made 40 new belt buckles,
in addition I've got a couple of other surprises up my sleeves.
I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday, Oct 4 for the Life is Beautiful First Solo Exhibit Closing Party.
"Fabulous Food, Beautiful People, Extraordinary Art."
Tickets are $20 prepaid and $25 at the do or; Limited to 200 Guests.
Buy your tickets early! http://www.gallerytwenty-one.com/HavanaNights.html

On this week's West New York Reporter (oh yeah I got the cover!)

Fled Cuba on a lobster boat Now amateur artist goes pro with first exhibit

By: Amanda Staab Reporter staff writer 09/28/2008

Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly

FROM CANVAS TO FURNISHINGS – Mendez said he started painting and has moved on to designing interiors such as this room with a stained-glass fireplace. West New York's Cid Mendez, an artist of many mediums, opened his first public exhibit, which focuses on his stained-glass collection, at Gallery Twenty-One in Newark last weekend. His journey from amateur to pro was a busy one. "I have wasted not a single second ever since I stepped into the United States," said Mendez last week. Mendez, along with his parents and two siblings, fled Cuba on a crowded lobster boat in 1980. His grandmother, who was living in West New York and working as a seamstress, paid for their trip with all the money she had saved. She traveled to Florida to pick them up. When it came time for Mendez to attend school, he tested higher than the grade levels appropriate for his age. At 12 years old, he enrolled at Memorial High School. As an adult, he moved to New York City for a few years, but eventually returned to New Jersey for more space. Mendez is now a self-taught artist, in addition to being a full-time operations manager for a graphic design company. He dedicates himself to learning new methods and researching new materials for his art. "I started with oils and acrylics, then woodworking, then work with metals," said Mendez. "I just thought I'd experiment and keep on experimenting until I find something that sort of clicks a little more." His latest pieces include stained-glass light fixtures and lighted mirror frames. "The most rewarding [material] right now has been glass," said Mendez. "Glass, in the way I have been setting it up - illuminating it - it gives reward in plain light and rewards you in the dark." Passion in his work He said that while he enjoys working with glass, he is considering returning to paints. "I like challenging myself," said Mendez. "Everything you see here is basically me challenging myself not to be ordinary." Close family and friends said that Mendez is extraordinary because he brings so much passion and energy to his art, as well as his life. His motto is "Life is beautiful," and he said it has a lot to do with maintaining his health. "Life is beautiful when you are healthy, when you think healthy, feel healthy," said Mendez. "It has to do with the journey of living." Mendez said his positive attitude and love of life is the result of having been given freedom in the United States after having lived in a country full of desperation. "When you come from an oppressed world and you are given the opportunity to flourish in freedom, you appreciate every single second of that existence," he said. "Freedom is the most powerful instrument in developing the riches of the soul." Practices on furniture at home "I have turned my apartment into my experiment, my university," said Mendez last week. He said that he uses every piece of furniture he has to practice. "Everything you see is built by me, from the floor to the kitchen cabinets, carpets, shelves, pillows, and curtains," said Mendez. He said that he has three sewing machines that are only a small part of his collection of tools he has been gathering for 12 years. He said that his past in Cuba has influenced his designs. "The flowers that I use, hibiscus flowers, are from the beaches in the neighborhoods I grew up in," said Mendez. Butterflies also often appear in his work. "Butterflies seem to universally provoke the type of energy I like to provoke in people," he said. He also said that he believes the beauty of a butterfly relaxes and softens people. He said that this also ties into his "life is beautiful" theme. "I wanted to make sure that in some way or another, the positive energy would radiate from either the colors, the composition, or the simple symbolism," said Mendez. He said that his gallery is just the beginning. "I am a learning person," he said. "I am going to announce pretty soon that I am graduating kindergarten. I am entering first grade as an artist. My pieces are going to increase in quality and every aspect of creative design and craftsmanship. I am going to become a much better person but also artist. My art will reflect my growth and progress." Gallery Twenty-One is located at 611 McCarter Hwy. in Newark. Mendez will host a closing party on Saturday, Oct. 4 with food and live music. For tickets to the exhibit, call (973) 424-1700. His work will be on display until Oct. 5.

The Daily News - Your Home Article

I was written up in the Daily News, Home section.  Take a look.

El Diario - Artista cubano expone obra

NEWARK, NUEVA JERSEY

— Bajo el nombre de “La Vida es Bella” el artista cubano americano Cid Méndez se prepara para inaugurar su primera exhibición que viene cargada de una gran variedad.

Alrededor de un año le tomó a este joven artista de 41 años diseñar cada una de las piezas de su colección, que incluye muebles exclusivos, espejos esculpidos y hábilmente iluminados, trabajos con cerámicas mezcladas con elementos reciclados, además de su variado contenido en hebillas para cinturones de mujer.

“Mi trabajo refleja mi forma de vida y como yo la veo, es realmente bella”, explica Méndez, residente en la ciudad de West New York, quien agrega que “mi mensaje es muy claro, no importan las vicisitudes por la que pase una persona, con amor y fortaleza se pueden vencer”.

En la colección de este joven talentoso, predomina una gran variedad de colores fuertes que le inspiró su natal Cuba, de la que dijo “la Cuba en la que viví era gris y el color que le doy a mis piezas es el que realmente debería ser”.

Verdes fuertes, naranjas vibrantes, azules intensos, son sólo algunos de los colores que Méndez mezcla en sus creaciones que hacen una armoniosa y elegante combinación con el vidrio pintado (stainded glass), utilizado en las piezas.

Méndez llegó de Cuba a la edad de 12 años y desde entonces asegura que “mi inquietud por las artes la tengo desde muy pequeño y mi exposición es finalmente la culminación de muchos años de sueños, ideas que hoy veo plasmadas en cada una de mis creaciones”.

La exposición será presentada el próximo sábado 20 de septiembre a las 7:00 pm en la Galería 21 de la ciudad de Newark, que está ubicada en el 611 de la McCarter Highway (ruta 21 sur) en Newark.

Para mas información puede comunicarse al teléfono (973) 424-1700.

Maria.loboguerrero@eldiariony.com

Gallery 21 - My First Art Show

Hola Everyone!

I’ve got some wonderful news I want to share with you! In about 2 weeks,
(17 days to be exact) I will be having my first ever SOLO art exhibit.

I will be exhibiting at a private gallery in Newark, NJ located 6 blocks
south of Penn Station in Newark, NJ about 10 minutes train ride from Penn
Station in NY (I've got a link and directions to the Gallery on my website
below). The gallery has served as a Cultural Center for Cuban and Latin
American artists for the last several years. I’m very proud to have this
magnificent opportunity and look forward to seeing a lot of you there.

As some of you know, over these past several years I’ve dedicated myself to
improving my work as an artist. Having no formal art education, lacking a
little bit of focus at times and with the constant time demands of our full
time job, my progress as an artist has been slow but; I was never deterred
from working  tirelessly to achieve all my art related goals . As a self
taught artist I’ve had lots of trial and errors and have spent countless
number of hours researching tools & techniques.  I’ve worked in many
different mediums, while attempting to find the various techniques that
would allow me the opportunity to best express all that I which to
communicate with my art.

At this show you'll see some of my current light installations, custom
furniture, mirrors, ceiling tile art and belt buckle jewelry.

So; save the following show dates on your calendar:  

September 20th thru October 5th

Friday September 19th I'm hosting a private reception for family and close
friends at the Gallery. I will love to have any of you that can make it
there that night. I will be cooking for all, we'll also have a Flamenco
performance by a talented group of friends, there will be a DJ and
dancing...we are simply going to celebrate.

Saturday September 20th is the Opening reception for the public. Wine and
h'orderves will be served and a DJ will keep the energy festive throughout
the night.

Two weeks later...

Saturday October 4th, Closing party! Havana nights themed party at the
gallery, there will be Cuban food, Cuban music and a performance by a very
talented and well known Cuban band.

Please write me back and share your comments, ideas and suggestions and
pass along the above information to anyone you know that has an interest in
supporting the arts.

Thank you for your support, I look forward to seeing you there!

Life is beautiful!

Art is my life!

Telemundo - My First TV Appearance

Happy Monday!
 
Here's the youtube link I created to show you the clip that appeared on Telemundo during last Monday's telecast!
 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVyPSsXa8eU

LIB
 
Spread the link around!

Life is beautiful! Vive hoy porque manana no es garantia!