Work by Felix Espinoza, a painter and carver from Perú, is currently on exhibit at Seattle's Arthead Gallery along with that of Magnolia-based artist Brom Wikstrom. The artists are showing with several others at the gallery in the exhibit "Mouth and Foot Painters: 50 Years."
"We will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World," said Wikstrom, who owns Arthead Gallery. "We are both members of it."
Espinoza and Wikstrom recently returned from Vienna, Austria, where they celebrated this milestone with artists from around the world with a landmark exhibition of their work at the Albertina Museum.
Espinoza will be the featured artist at the Arthead show, and his work will remain up until Aug. 25. His paintings consist primarily of bright oil and watercolors depicting religious and cultural Peruvian scenes.
"We were in a show together two years ago, and his special series of angels and Madonnas were just remarkable," Wikstrom said.
The traditions, religion and scenic beauty of Perú are what inspire most of Espinoza's works, but his passion for art goes well beyond the simple need to create. It is something he says he was born to do.
In 1955 Espinoza was born in the small mining town of La Oroya. He entered the world without both forearms and with only one leg. His mother was unable to care for him, along with her other children, and so she sent her young son to live with another woman.
"Raising Felix was difficult for her," said Caroline Sullivan, a Winthrop resident and friend of Espinoza's. "This other woman had no children and offered to adopt him. She was active in helping many other handicapped children in Perú. She was definitely cutting edge."
That event fundamentally changed Espinoza's life by opening a door to the world of art - a door that might never have opened otherwise.
"He was raised by a woman that ensured he got the very best education," Sullivan said.
Early on in his childhood, teachers marveled at his ability to paint with his mouth, and encouraged him to pursue his talent.
"The teachers realized I was different from other people," Espinoza said. "They encouraged me to study art."
Painting led to carving, sculpting and print making. And his ambitions eventually brought him to The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, or Pontifical Catholic University, a 90-year-old private university in Lima.
At Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Espinoza studied the craft of painting, as well as carving, sculpting, printmaking and pottery. After he graduated, he continued his education, studying in England and Mexico. In 1990, the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World awarded him a scholarship, and in 2005 the organization made him an associate member of the organization.
"I have won seven awards in my life. I also received a scholarship to study in England," Espinoza said. "I believe I was born to be an artist. I was just born that way."
As he honed his artistic talents, new opportunities arose, and he was given the chance to travel and continue studying in many countries, including Spain, Japan, Cuba, Taiwan and the United States.
While on a visit to the United States in 2003, Espinoza met Sullivan, who was inspired by his work and perseverance as an artist.
"I met Felix and wanted to help him succeed. He endears you to him immediately," Sullivan said. "So I started a business to help him sell his art, and it's worked out well."
Each year, Espinoza returns to Winthrop with his wife and daughter, where they stay with Sullivan, travel across the state, and sell his art at various galleries and farmers markets. Sullivan, a Spanish instructor, helps Espinoza network.
After his annual visit, the artist returns to Perú, where he has a peaceful studio in Punta Hermosa. He also lives in Lima off and on throughout the year.
"My studio overlooks the ocean. It's a very nice place to paint," Espinoza said.
He focuses primarily on painting, and specializes in oil, watercolor and glass murals. He also spends a good deal of time on carvings, which he creates while grasping tools with his teeth.
"Sometimes my teeth break," the artist admitted. But it doesn't stop him from creating. Nothing does.
People interested in meeting Espinoza can do so at the Arthead Gallery opening, from 5-8 p.m., July 28, at 5411 Meridian Ave. N.
More information is available at www.bromwikstrom.com.
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