Original Artwork Displayed at Long Beach Antique Market
Entrepreneurs and small business owners displayed their original work at the Long Beach Antique Market and each explained the significance of their craft.
Gilberto Delgado, a painting enthusiast, creates his artwork and is inspired by the scenery of Southern California. This retired construction worker turned painter finds solace and inspiration in the natural landscapes surrounding him.
Six years ago, Delgado began his retirement and found a new passion. “I started painting outside with a friend and we began to paint two to three hours a day,” he recalls.
Delgado began taking art courses at ABC Community School in Cerritos, where he honed his skills before the world became his canvas. He quickly transitioned from the structure of classrooms to the freedom of the outdoors. Delgado said, “I started painting on my own after a few years.”
Photos by Vincent Medina.
The scenic views of Laguna Beach and San Clemente became a frequent spot for the retired construction worker. He describes these locations as “my area to paint around.”
Delgado’s participation in the Painters Association shows his community ties and active role among peers who share his energy for capturing the outdoors on a canvas.
“My goal is to be better and better, improving, improving,” Delgado said.
Delgado’s passion was palpable at the antique market as his work was a magnet for those appreciating the handcrafted touch.
“I’ve only been doing this for like six or seven years,” he said to customers, underscoring a relatively short period that resonates with lifelong practice.
The narrative of Gilberto Delgado’s artistry is intertwined with his cultural roots, having grown up in Mexico before establishing himself in Los Angeles. This rich heritage shapes his perspective, bringing depth to his work.
Jose Luis Gonzalez also sold original artwork. However, he explained the unique art once served as a pillar of the Chicano art community.
Gonzalez recalls his Mexican heritage, SoCal upbringing, and a lifelong dedication to art. “I went to East LA College,” he said. “With Robert Renovar, Eddie Martinez, and other artists that I recognized were very talented.”
This talent propelled Gonzalez to open his first art center in Los Angeles in 1969.
Photos by Vincent Medina.
“I opened the first Chicano Art Center in the nation, right on the corner of First and Gage in Los Angeles,” he said.
The center became a place for artists who, before then, needed a platform to showcase their work.
“At our grand opening, there were 76 people on the list, but eventually 100 people arrived,” Gonzalez said. “Other artists came in after, so it was a big Chicano exhibit, more than they’ve ever had.”
The gallery was just the beginning. Over the years, Gonzalez opened five galleries, from Disneyland’s doorstep to the streets of downtown LA, each became a place of culture and artistry. His mission was always to give Chicano artists a voice and a spotlight.
Photos by Vincent Medina.
Gonzalez’s contributions to the art world are monumental. His murals, such as the official mural for the 1984 Olympics for the City of LA, display creative and historical landmarks.
Yet, his story is not without its poignant turns. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the closure of his last gallery marked the end of an era. “We closed everything. Four years ago, just before COVID,” he laments, noting the farewell to a space that had given so much to many.
Luis Fernandez and his family business, Casa Onyx Designs, displayed their original craftsmanship at the Antique Market. He and his family showed the unique designs made from marble and onyx.
“This is not something that we just started,” Fernandez said. “We’ve been working with these materials for three generations.”
His family’s business started with the craftsmanship of his grandfather. Learning to work with marble and onyx was passed down to his father, and then himself.
Photos by Vincent Medina.
Fernandez’s creations are carefully made with extreme detail, and the natural contours and hues inform each design of the raw material.
“It depends on the type of stone that we have that will determine the actual goal,” he explains. “If the stone is small then we’ll do something small and so nothing will ever be the same.”
The colors of Casa Onyx Designs’ pieces are often unpredictable.
“The different layers, all the onyx is created with all the salty water and water from the caves. So when the tectonics move, they automatically change the colors,” Fernandez said.
These colors reveal themselves only when the stone is carved and treated.
Photos by Vincent Medina.
“We don’t know what’s inside until we actually carve into it,” Fernandez explained. “Every piece that we do is unique and no one will ever do it again.”
Fernandez explained the significance of continuing his family’s legacy instead of venturing on his own path.
“This is what we do and it’s what we know,” he said. “If I need something, my family will help
each other, so that’s why I’m in this business.”