User:Juan Espino

Juan H. Espino www.lookingglassartgallery.com

Juan H. Espino captures a “Slice of life” in rural America with its present day charm. His paintings noticeably capture a longing to return to the honest simplicity of childhood - streets, landscapes, festivities and especially people - colors of the four seasons in which he paints. Beauty, composition and architecture are always the basic background, emphasizing strongly the naivety of his people and giving the general illusion of innocence. He says: "The reason for me to paint the way I do is that a painting should look joyful in its surrounding, whereby there are always more people present then could reasonably be expected in the situation inviting to a close look of the details and little jokes, so that a smile will show by the spectator.”

He has resided in Wayne County, Pennsylvania since 1988 after relocating from his native country. Impacted by the beauty of the countryside as well as the historic buildings and homes he began to capture this beauty on canvas. Juan’s love of art and history are inextricably intertwined in his life and in his art.

He is a tireless community activist. In his native state of Michoacan, Mexico, he founded several cultural organizations dedicated to promote Mexican traditions, dance, music and folk art. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Director of several tourist and cultural events. Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, he founded the Lake Region Art League, organization of local artists that for many years had exhibits to benefit several community organizations. Creator of the program “Promote culture through the Chamber of Commerce and Promote the Chamber of Commerce through culture” with seven months of different art exhibits, concerts and theater at the Wayne County Visitor Center.; Director of the 1998 Art exhibit at Dorflinger Cut Glass Museum. Member of the Rotary Club of Hawley since 1994. President in 2002, Member of the Board of Directors of The Hawley Regional Performing Arts Council since 2002, Coordinator of the art project for children and adults at The Hawley Public Library since 1997.cosponsored by the Hawley Rotary Club and The Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, Monroe County Art Council. Founder of the Annual “Hawley Winterfest” (1999), facilitator of the “Farmers Market” (2006) and founder of the Program “Movies in the Park” (2007) in Hawley, PA. He is currently member of the Board of Trustees of the Wayne County Historical Society in the State of Pennsylvania and Chair Person of the Historic Preservation Committee

On October 2009, The Musee International D’Art Naïf de Magog, Quebec, Canada selected him to have the 2010 International Artist Exposition.

On April of 2010 The Hotel Fauchere in Milford, PA. Invited him to exhibit the series “Historic Milford, PA” a project he have working for the last 4 years.

From July 17 to September 19, 2010, THE MUSEE INTERNATIONAL D’ART NAIF DE MAGOG, Quebec Canada, Presented the exposition “Une tranche de vie americane”  an exhibition of a  collection of 20 painting including  “Bonjour Quebec!,  “Old Quebec City from the Narraguagus”,  “Tierra y Libertad”, The Historic Milford Series, Honesdale, and Hawley, PA. “Bonjour Quebec” is now in the permanent collection of the Museum.

His paintings are in corporate and private collections, published in different magazines. The Milford Magazine has dedicated few of it issues to Juan H. Espino “…Folk artist Juan H. Espino is more than an eye witness to Milford, PA. Historic preservation and streetscape enhancement; he is an advocate for similar efforts within our region’s charming small towns and villages. “We are experiencing dynamic transformation,” he says “our evolution into modern times has a price: the destruction of history.” The people of Pike County are fighting to preserve the character of their county seat, says Espino. “we have the honor and encourage them. We can’t always achieve preservation through regulations. We need to show people the precious treasures they have, and use this tool to draw viable businesses and create a strong local economy. Espino – who serves as Chairperson of the Historic Preservation Committee of The Wayne County Historical Society based in Honesdale, PA. - describes his self-taught style of painting-with a single-plane perspective and child-like innocence- as “Naïve.” “This allows me the freedom to play with the brush and canvas and historical facts surrounding a structure or place.” Say Espino. “I truly enjoy what I do.”...” Milford Magazine. Jan/Feb 2006