We had the good fortune of connecting with Luz Maria Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Luz Maria, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in Mexico the 12th child of very loving and somewhat successful parents. We immigrated to the US and life sort of got turned around. Although my dad was an electrical engineer in the old country, he did not have the qualifications for the same career in the US so he did the next best thing he knew which was being in agriculture. He was always the superintendent of the many farms in the many places where we lived. I did not feel that I suffered any and I had a very happy childhood along with my two older brothers. He was always very proud of me, bragged about me always, and told everyone how smart I was to the point of teaching myself how to read and write both Spanish and English. I was quite an accomplished little artist for my age.

I think that the pride and love shown to me by my parents and in particular that of my dad were the biggest impact in who I am today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Although I can paint in many different styles, I am a realist painter first and foremost. I started painting military portraits and scenes professionally because I didn’t want to be identified as a “typical woman artist.” The stories I tell in those military portraits are very emotional. All are in my collections and will be handed down to my children. But I was wrong about my identity. Plein air gave me the tool to paint as I had never painted before. But the looseness of that style really was a culture shock for me as apposed to the tightness of my beginning paintings. I have evolved into painting somewhat in between. I concentrate on showing the light, telling a story, and painting as the painting itself dictates.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1. The Beach, any beach – eat at any seafood restaurants, 2. The mountains, Big Bear – eat at “El Jacalito Mexican Restaurant
3. Palm Springs – eat at the Blue Cayote and have margheritas
4. The open air markets of Los Angeles – shop till we drop
5. The art scenes of Pasadena – visit Dick Blick Art Supplies and eat most anywhere. It’s all good.
6. The museums of Riverside and antique stores.
7. At my house – I’m a pretty good cook Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
After my retirement, I was instrumental in starting a plein air group and I was President for 10 years until Covid19 came along and destroyed everything. However, all was not gone, Because I was somewhat known in the area, the California Art Club called me and asked me to start a Chapter in Riverside for them. I accepted but under the condition that the Chapter be composed of the entire Inland Empire instead of just a city which I felt would be too confining. The Inland Empire Chapter of the California Art Club came into existence in April 2020. We have had the utmost support and recognition that any person or organization could ever ask for.

I also have a huge collection of books in my studio that I constantly refer to especially during my art instruction. two books in particular I consider the “Bible” of plein air: Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar Payne, and The Yin/Yang of Painting by Hongnian Zhang and Lois Woolley.

Website: www.luzmariaperez.com

Instagram: p_luzmaria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luzmaria.perez.104/

Image Credits
These are from my personal images in my phone.

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