Lamberto Alvarez
Encyclopedia
Lamberto Alvarez is an American painter, sculptor, photographer, musician and author of Mexican-American descent living in Texas
. "Lamberto" is his registered trademark. He was one of three Latinos chosen by the Walt Disney Company in 2004 to create a life-size statue to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Mickey Mouse
.
He was also a contributor to the San Jose Mercury News’ 1985 Pulitzer Prize
–winning investigative series of articles “The Hidden Billions” about massive corruption in the government of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his hidden wealth in the United States and abroad.
, to Lamberto Alvarez Sr. and Ana Espino. Although a native-born American who claims El Paso as his hometown, Lamberto spent his earliest years in neighboring Ciudad Juárez
, Mexico
, his mother’s hometown. Divided by the customs bridges, Lamberto Sr. commuted for several years from Juarez to work for an American construction company as a cement finisher. Although it was not common for American citizens to live in Mexico when they could legally live in the United States, Ana’s bond with her own parents was strong, and it provided the foundation for Lamberto’s study and knowledge of the Spanish language.
In his early grades, Lamberto attended Escuela Narcisa Primero, a strict yet creative private school in Juarez, which catered to gifted students and instilled in him both discipline and a love of the arts. Young Lamberto became a distinguished student in the arts, math and science, and became fluent in Spanish. At age 6, he also discovered the magic of art from his parents, who both possessed a gift for drawing. They would spend weekend evenings entertaining their children by drawing and scribbling around the kitchen table.
At age 11, his family moved to El Paso, where his teachers noticed his gift for math and art. He attended Southloop Elementary School, a predominantly Latino school, and quickly became fluent in English. With encouragement from his mother and his friends, Lamberto learned to play the guitar and formed a band called “The Finks.” He also learned to play the bass guitar
and the drums, and continued to play in bands for much of his adult life.
in 1972, where he was an active art student, participating in many art projects and contests.
Lamberto attended the University of Texas in El Paso, studying fine art
and photography
. During college, he was heavily influenced by surrealist artist Salvador Dali
, which is revealed in some of his early oil paintings. Diego Rivera
, Picasso and Jackson Pollock
also had an impact on his later, more mature body of work.
as an artist and photographer. Lamberto worked at the Times for several years, producing artwork for all sections of the newspaper. The body of artwork he established at the Times was integral in his being hired by San Jose Mercury News
in San Jose, California
. After five years with the Mercury News, Lamberto became an art director at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
and later at The Dallas Morning News
.
During his time in Fort Worth, Lamberto began to broaden the scope of his artwork to include children’s books, national magazines and college textbooks. In 2004, he made the leap from publications to fine art and now works as a painter
of figurative
and abstract
fine art, and creator of stained concrete art
, assemblage art and three-dimensional
sculptures.
Lamberto and his artist son, Beto Alvarez, collaborated on creating illustrations for a children's book entitled Muffler Man, or El Hombre Mofle, published by Arte Publico Press
of the University of Houston
. Both father and son worked together for several years at The Dallas Morning News, Lamberto as Director of Illustration and Beto as a news Illustrator.
Both father and son also were accepted in an international show sponsored by Nordstrom
entitled "El Amor Ahora", ("Love Now"), a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
. They were invited to participate in the annual show from 2004–2006.
Lamberto also illustrated another children's book for Arte Publico, Dancing Miranda, or Baila Miranda, Baila.
In addition to his work with newspapers, Lamberto's artwork has been published by Time magazine, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, The Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Scholastic Books, Arte Publico Press, among many others.
With author Michael H. Price, Lamberto contributed to a self-published novel entitled "Muñeca: An Anthology of Crime Stories".
Lamberto, who owns a fine art studio, Lamberto Art and Design, has received attention from the media for his innovative acid-stain concrete art
(www.acidstainconcreteart.com). These concrete creations are an outgrowth of the work he created in scratchboard
in the early 1990s, marked with Lamberto's distinctive style of using motion, color and bold strokes. Lamberto explores many art forms, including assemblage artwork, sculpture, music, photography
, literature
, songwriting and design
.
Lamberto's publishing company is Solare Media, which publishes inspirational schoolbook covers for children in need of positive role models. The Shining Star Heroes book cover series depicts heroes from all walks of life who are encouraging examples for children to follow.
In 2006, Lamberto was involved in a year-long event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Southlake, Texas
, the city in which he currently resides. He designed and painted three longhorn statues, with the help of his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Veronica, to represent the sponsors that selected him to paint their longhorns: Verizon, Sabre Holdings
and Aeristo.
(The Society of Newspaper Design), the Associated Press, Print
Regional Design Annual, the Headliners and the Associated Press Managing Editors. Lamberto also was a contributor to a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative article “The Hidden Billions,” about Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos of the Philippines, which was published while he was working for The San Jose Mercury News.
Lamberto came into the national spotlight as a personality when he was involved in the Walt Disney Company’s 75th anniversary celebration of Mickey Mouse — the “75 InspEARations” celebration. He was invited to create a life-size statue
of Mickey Mouse in his own style, which he called “El Mickey.” Lamberto was one of 75 celebrities, and one of only three Latinos, involved in the project. Lamberto's "El Mickey", number 66, represented the Dallas/Fort Worth-based Disney Radio station. The 75 statues were exhibited throughout the United States for one year and are on permanent public display at Disneyland in California. Although the statues reside at Disneyland, they were auctioned at Sotheby's
in New York to raise money for a variety of charities; proceeds from the sale of "El Mickey" benefited the "Make-A-Wish Foundation
." Mickey Mouse, as a pop culture icon, was visited by millions. Other celebrities participating in this event included John Travolta
, Ben Affleck
, Elton John
, Kelly Ripa
, Tom Hanks
, George Lopez
, Shaquille O'Neal
, Jamie Lee Curtis
and Andy García
.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. "Lamberto" is his registered trademark. He was one of three Latinos chosen by the Walt Disney Company in 2004 to create a life-size statue to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
.
He was also a contributor to the San Jose Mercury News’ 1985 Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
–winning investigative series of articles “The Hidden Billions” about massive corruption in the government of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his hidden wealth in the United States and abroad.
Early life
Lamberto was born in El Paso, TexasEl Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, to Lamberto Alvarez Sr. and Ana Espino. Although a native-born American who claims El Paso as his hometown, Lamberto spent his earliest years in neighboring Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, his mother’s hometown. Divided by the customs bridges, Lamberto Sr. commuted for several years from Juarez to work for an American construction company as a cement finisher. Although it was not common for American citizens to live in Mexico when they could legally live in the United States, Ana’s bond with her own parents was strong, and it provided the foundation for Lamberto’s study and knowledge of the Spanish language.
In his early grades, Lamberto attended Escuela Narcisa Primero, a strict yet creative private school in Juarez, which catered to gifted students and instilled in him both discipline and a love of the arts. Young Lamberto became a distinguished student in the arts, math and science, and became fluent in Spanish. At age 6, he also discovered the magic of art from his parents, who both possessed a gift for drawing. They would spend weekend evenings entertaining their children by drawing and scribbling around the kitchen table.
At age 11, his family moved to El Paso, where his teachers noticed his gift for math and art. He attended Southloop Elementary School, a predominantly Latino school, and quickly became fluent in English. With encouragement from his mother and his friends, Lamberto learned to play the guitar and formed a band called “The Finks.” He also learned to play the bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and the drums, and continued to play in bands for much of his adult life.
Education
Lamberto graduated from Ysleta High SchoolYsleta High School
Ysleta High School is a high school in the Ysleta Independent School District in Ysleta, El Paso, Texas. It is located on 8600 Alameda and is the second oldest school in the El Paso, TX area...
in 1972, where he was an active art student, participating in many art projects and contests.
Lamberto attended the University of Texas in El Paso, studying fine art
Fine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
and photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
. During college, he was heavily influenced by surrealist artist Salvador Dali
Salvador Dalí
Salvador Domènec Felip Jacint Dalí i Domènech, Marquis de Púbol , commonly known as Salvador Dalí , was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter born in Figueres,Spain....
, which is revealed in some of his early oil paintings. Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera
Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez was a prominent Mexican painter born in Guanajuato, Guanajuato, an active communist, and husband of Frida Kahlo . His large wall works in fresco helped establish the Mexican Mural Movement in...
, Picasso and Jackson Pollock
Jackson Pollock
Paul Jackson Pollock , known as Jackson Pollock, was an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. During his lifetime, Pollock enjoyed considerable fame and notoriety. He was regarded as a mostly reclusive artist. He had a volatile personality, and...
also had an impact on his later, more mature body of work.
Career
In 1975, during his junior year of college, Lamberto was hired by El Paso TimesEl Paso Times
The El Paso Times is the English-language newspaper for the U.S. city of El Paso, Texas. The paper was founded in 1881 by Marcellus Washington Carrico. It originally started out as a weekly but within a year's time, it became the daily newspaper for the frontier town.The newspaper has a daily...
as an artist and photographer. Lamberto worked at the Times for several years, producing artwork for all sections of the newspaper. The body of artwork he established at the Times was integral in his being hired by San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
The San Jose Mercury News is a daily newspaper in San Jose, California. On its web site, however, it calls itself Silicon Valley Mercury News. The paper is owned by MediaNews Group...
in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. After five years with the Mercury News, Lamberto became an art director at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is a major U.S. daily newspaper serving Fort Worth and the western half of the North Texas area known as the Metroplex. Its area of domination is checked by its main rival, The Dallas Morning News, which is published from the eastern half of the Metroplex. It is owned...
and later at The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News is the major daily newspaper serving the Dallas, Texas area, with a circulation of 264,459 subscribers, the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported in September 2010...
.
During his time in Fort Worth, Lamberto began to broaden the scope of his artwork to include children’s books, national magazines and college textbooks. In 2004, he made the leap from publications to fine art and now works as a painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of figurative
Figurative art
Figurative art, sometimes written as figurativism, describes artwork—particularly paintings and sculptures—which are clearly derived from real object sources, and are therefore by definition representational.-Definition:...
and abstract
Abstract art
Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century, underpinned by the logic of perspective and an...
fine art, and creator of stained concrete art
Concrete art
Concrete art and design or concretism is an abstractionist movement that evolved in the 1930s out of the work of De Stijl, the futurists and Kandinsky around the Swiss painter Max Bill. The term "concrete art" was first introduced by Theo van Doesburg in his "Manifesto of Concrete Art"...
, assemblage art and three-dimensional
Three-dimensional space
Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
sculptures.
Lamberto and his artist son, Beto Alvarez, collaborated on creating illustrations for a children's book entitled Muffler Man, or El Hombre Mofle, published by Arte Publico Press
Arte Público Press
Arte Público Press, in Houston, Texas, is the largest US publisher of contemporary and recovered literature by US Hispanic authors, part of the University of Houston. It publishes approximately 30 titles per year....
of the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. Both father and son worked together for several years at The Dallas Morning News, Lamberto as Director of Illustration and Beto as a news Illustrator.
Both father and son also were accepted in an international show sponsored by Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
entitled "El Amor Ahora", ("Love Now"), a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is the period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States, when people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate the group's heritage and culture....
. They were invited to participate in the annual show from 2004–2006.
Lamberto also illustrated another children's book for Arte Publico, Dancing Miranda, or Baila Miranda, Baila.
In addition to his work with newspapers, Lamberto's artwork has been published by Time magazine, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, The Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Scholastic Books, Arte Publico Press, among many others.
With author Michael H. Price, Lamberto contributed to a self-published novel entitled "Muñeca: An Anthology of Crime Stories".
Lamberto, who owns a fine art studio, Lamberto Art and Design, has received attention from the media for his innovative acid-stain concrete art
Concrete art
Concrete art and design or concretism is an abstractionist movement that evolved in the 1930s out of the work of De Stijl, the futurists and Kandinsky around the Swiss painter Max Bill. The term "concrete art" was first introduced by Theo van Doesburg in his "Manifesto of Concrete Art"...
(www.acidstainconcreteart.com). These concrete creations are an outgrowth of the work he created in scratchboard
Scratchboard
Scratchboard or scraperboard is a technique where drawings are created using sharp knives and tools for etching into a thin layer of white China clay that is coated with black India ink. Scratchboard can also be made with several layers of multi-colored clay, so the pressure exerted on the...
in the early 1990s, marked with Lamberto's distinctive style of using motion, color and bold strokes. Lamberto explores many art forms, including assemblage artwork, sculpture, music, photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
, literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
, songwriting and design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
.
Lamberto's publishing company is Solare Media, which publishes inspirational schoolbook covers for children in need of positive role models. The Shining Star Heroes book cover series depicts heroes from all walks of life who are encouraging examples for children to follow.
In 2006, Lamberto was involved in a year-long event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Southlake, Texas
Southlake, Texas
Southlake is a city in northeast Tarrant and southeast Denton counties, Texas. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 26,575. A suburb of Fort Worth and Dallas, Southlake is known for exemplary public schools, Southlake Town Square, and Carroll High School's 7-time state champion football...
, the city in which he currently resides. He designed and painted three longhorn statues, with the help of his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Veronica, to represent the sponsors that selected him to paint their longhorns: Verizon, Sabre Holdings
Sabre Holdings
Sabre Holdings or Sabre, Inc. is an American privately held travel technology company, encompassing several brands in three global distribution system channels: travel agency, airline, and direct to consumer. These areas are serviced by TSG's three main business groups...
and Aeristo.
Accomplishments of Note
During his time working in the newspaper industry, Lamberto received many illustration and design awards, most notably from SNDSnd
SND may refer to:*SND , a digital audio file format*Au file format, a digital audio file format which sometimes uses the file extension ".snd"*snd , a Sheffield-based electronic music duo...
(The Society of Newspaper Design), the Associated Press, Print
Print (magazine)
The publication, Print, A Quarterly Journal of the Graphic Arts, was a limited edition quarterly periodical begun in 1940 and continued under different names up to the present day as Print, a bimonthly American magazine about visual culture and design.In its current format, Print documents and...
Regional Design Annual, the Headliners and the Associated Press Managing Editors. Lamberto also was a contributor to a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative article “The Hidden Billions,” about Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos of the Philippines, which was published while he was working for The San Jose Mercury News.
Lamberto came into the national spotlight as a personality when he was involved in the Walt Disney Company’s 75th anniversary celebration of Mickey Mouse — the “75 InspEARations” celebration. He was invited to create a life-size statue
Statue
A statue is a sculpture in the round representing a person or persons, an animal, an idea or an event, normally full-length, as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size, or larger...
of Mickey Mouse in his own style, which he called “El Mickey.” Lamberto was one of 75 celebrities, and one of only three Latinos, involved in the project. Lamberto's "El Mickey", number 66, represented the Dallas/Fort Worth-based Disney Radio station. The 75 statues were exhibited throughout the United States for one year and are on permanent public display at Disneyland in California. Although the statues reside at Disneyland, they were auctioned at Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
in New York to raise money for a variety of charities; proceeds from the sale of "El Mickey" benefited the "Make-A-Wish Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501 non-profit organization founded in the United States that grants wishes to children who have life-threatening medical conditions. The charity now operates in forty-seven countries around the world through thirty-six affiliate offices.The president & CEO of this...
." Mickey Mouse, as a pop culture icon, was visited by millions. Other celebrities participating in this event included John Travolta
John Travolta
John Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
, Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck
Benjamin Géza Affleck-Boldt , better known as Ben Affleck, is an American actor, film director, writer, and producer. He became known with his performances in Kevin Smith's films such as Mallrats and Chasing Amy...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa is an American actress and television host. Since February 2001, she has served as the co-host of talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, along with Regis Philbin and now solo host of Live! With Kelly...
, Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
, George Lopez
George Lopez
George Lopez is an American comedian, actor, and talk show host. He is mostly known for starring in his self-produced ABC sitcom George Lopez. His stand-up comedy examines race and ethnic relations, including the Mexican American culture...
, Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
, Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis is an American actress and author. Although she was initially known as a "scream queen" because of her starring roles in several horror films early in her career, such as Halloween, The Fog, Prom Night and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work that spans many...
and Andy García
Andy García
Andrés Arturo García Menéndez , professionally known as Andy García, is a Cuban American actor. He became known in the late 1980s and 1990s, having appeared in several successful Hollywood films, including The Godfather: Part III, The Untouchables, Internal Affairs and When a Man Loves a Woman...
.