Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

First, could you explain the “Chispas” in your name?
The reason I came up with the name “Chispas” – and my studio is named Ay Chispas – is related to what was happening at the time when I was starting as an artist. My friends would come to my studio to hang out and drink beer but I was working. I had projects to do. So, when I cut a piece of metal and the sparks would go toward them, I would warn them: ‘Watch out, chispas! (Sparks in Spanish).

Tell us how you became a welder and how that lead to your metal art?
My grandfather was a welder who owned his own business. He did a lot of work on the River Walk and all-around San Antonio. I was just fascinated by how the metal that was just lying on the floor was transformed by him into something useful, like car trailers, racks, and thing like that. I took a liking to that, so I asked him if he would teach me how to do that. I helped him with projects and he taught me how to weld. But I did not start making metal sculptures until I was about 30.

The first one I made was a sculpture of an accordion player like Flaco Jimenez. Then I did a series of musician sculptures called Flacos. They are all created from found objects.

How and where did you find these objects?
In junk yards. Also, I was a diesel mechanic for 40 years. We repaired the injection pumps. They are special pumps. But after they wear out, they are junked. Inside those pumps there were parts that I could use for my art. I collected some of those that caught my eye, and I would start piecing something together, using my imagination.

When did you first exhibit your metal art?
I had a hard time getting an exhibit. I knocked on a lot of doors. Finally, when the artist, Joe Lopez -who is well known here in San Antonio – was moving into his studio, I stopped by and introduced myself and asked if I could show some of my work in his studio. He knew nothing about me and my work, so I went home, loaded some of my Flacos and other pieces into the car and went back to his studio. He liked them and he gave me my first show. He provided a launching pad for me, and also for other Chicano artists.

You defined yourself in a video that can be found online as “a dreamer.” Want to expand on that?
I am still dreaming. These creatures that I make, just come to me. For the Martian series (depicting “Martian toys”) I dreamed about these weird-looking people playing with their toys, like their Barbies and their G.I. Joes and little robot dolls. In my dream, they told me to make those toys “to show people how we play.”

Did you have an exhibit of “Martian Toys”?
I did, at Blue Star. I made 30 of them. Fourteen sold. Some are part of the UTSA’s art collection now. UTSA has several of my large sculptures, too, and some paintings of mine.

Tell us where your public sculptures are, where people can see them?
Mainly at UTSA, at the downtown campus. Though they are not officially public art, people can see them.

When did you switch to being a full-time artist?
In 2005. I never took any classes though I wish I had.

How do you feel when you see your work prominently displayed like here in the Aztlan Center?
It feels wonderful! Like I said earlier, so many doors were shut in my face. It hurt but I just kept on going.

At some point I rented a space in Joe Lopez’s new place on Flores St. But when I went home and told my wife, she said” “Fine but no money from the household budget is going into it, so you can go and play.”
I agreed. I started making more and more sculptures and selling them, and I was there for about ten years. I was working seven days a week.

And now, you are exhibiting your paintings as well.
These are my pedal cars. I just got a bit tired of doing metal work, so I thought it was time for me to move into another art form. It’s hard for me to paint because I had to teach myself how to do it. Some of these paintings have been around for years but I did not have the confidence to show them.

What’s your wife’s profession?
She’s a retired school teacher. She was also a good photographer but she doesn’t want to get back to it.

Besides art, what else is important in your life?
My wife’s health. Back in 2014, she was diagnosed with leukemia. It turned our lives upside down. My main concern is to get her well. What kept me working on my art is my friends who invited me to participate in group shows. They kept me in the loop. My wife eventually had a bone marrow transplant which saved her life. So, we are slowly returning to normal. It was 2017 when I started going back to my art.

Right now, what are your goals, artistic or otherwise?
I would really like to be part of Cheech Marin’s collection. He is a big collector of Chicano art. Being in his collection is a goal for me. Dr. Ricardo Romo is currently trying to help me, trying to find out how to connect with people in charge over there.

BTW, where do you store all your life-size sculptures. Do you have a little museum at your house?
Yes, I do. Lots of work on the walls. I also have three studios around the house. And some sculptures are outside in my yard. People often stop to look.

Here’s the last question, one I usually ask in these Interview Express interviews. Here comes: If you were the all-powerful king of San Antonio, what would you like to change, improve or implement to make life better here?

I would like to see more public art. Have you been in Phoenix, Arizona? They have art throughout downtown – sculptures, murals, paintings, stone carvings, all over the place. It would be nice to drive through our downtown and see works by San Antonio artists.
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Guerrero’s art – sculptures and paintings  -are currently on view at Centro Cultural Aztlan, through June 29, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 1800 Fredericksburg Rd., 210-432-1896. All are for sale.