User talk:Gsgonzalez

FELIX PINTO GONZALEZ - The Unknown Legendary Artist
copyright(c)2007gsgonzalez@lipacity Felix P. Gonzalez or "Eleng" as his friends called him is the first Filipino painter to paint portraits on "Black velvet". He was actually tagged by his co-artist like National Artist Manansala and Peck Pinon as the Father of Portraits on velvet. Felix P Gonzalez, happens to be one of the first students of the great and famous artist: FERNANDO AMORSOLO. Being a realistic painter, Felix (or Eleng) concentrated more on doing life-size portraits. Like his mentor, he had also made thousands of scenic paintings. All of these were became favorites and loved by tourists. Sometime in the late fifties, he was able to place an art gallery at the ground floor of Manila Hotel infront of TESORO's Handicrafts. When the later JF Kennnedy visited our country, he stayed at the Manila Hotel. The late president passed by at his gallery and stopped. He saw the life-size portrait of Winston Churchill displayed on his gallery and was amazed by its almost real life size portrait. He went inside the gallery and asked the name of the artist who made it. When Felix Gonzalez introduced himself as the maker of Churchill's portrait, immediately, the good president requested him to make a portrait of him and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. Eleng finished the work in two weeks and shipped the two paintings direct to the white house. Next portrait order came from the next US President Lyndon B. Johnson, after JF Kennedy's assasination. President Johnson sent his representative to the Philippines to look for Mr. Felix Gonzalez, after knowing the Kennedy Couple's Portrait was made by a Filipino Artist in the person of Mr. Felix P. Gonzalez. And so, Mr. Gonzalez got his second order from another US President. This order was followed by President Nixon, and President Ford. From Asia was the late President Sukarno of Indonesia, former Cardinal Rufino Santos and the late Ferdinand E. Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos. Portraits of the latter were sent and kept abroad before they were ousted from Malacanang Palace. One of his greatest painting was the subject of Dr. Jose Rizal treating the Eye of his Mother in Dapitan. Said painting is currently on display at Fort Bonifacio In Intramuros. His screen signature appeared thereat is "E. Gonzalez" which stands for "Eleng Gonzalez".

Mr. Felix P. Gonzalez made a name in his time. he was well respected by his fellow artist like Oscar Manansala, Peck Pinon and his best friend and national artist, Florentino Caedo. But Eleng was a forgotten artist that deserved to be acknowledged as one of the greatest national artists of our times. He contributed a lot in giving prestige to our country in the field of Art. He never had the chance to be acknowledged when he gave up on his heart illness on December 11, 1975. He died at the age of 75. On the eve before his death, he was lying on his bed. All of a sudden he stood up, went to his studio, hold his paint brush and drew a a nice and very bright yellow sunflower. He finished the artwork in 15 minutes. He went to bed. The next morning he was gone. I could probably say I am lucky to have witnessed all of these significant events of his life. I am proud to say that he was my father.

ĢĜ S. GONZALEZ Lipa City 09212862941 (043) 9810513