from Lake County News-Sun/La Luz

Round Lake artist intends to make art more accessible

November 29, 2006
By Ryan Pagelow

Francisco Loyola of Round Lake wants to make art more accessible to people by cutting up prints of his painting into framed three-inch squares.

His painting “A New Beginning” and the smaller abstract prints will be on display at Gallery 57 in Highwood starting Dec. 1. A reception for Loyola will be held at 7 p.m. that day.

“Each individual square has its own personality,” Loyola said. “You can see them alone or together as part of the whole project.”

Originally from Mexico City, he came to the United States 20 years ago and has lived in Round Lake for the past 10 years. He teaches computer classes in Spanish at the College of Lake County and also designs Web pages. He recently launched his Web site www.franciscoloyola.com to promote his work.

“The idea is to create my own gallery online,” Loyola said. “The Internet has given us a lot of possibilities.”

Using his Web site people can select the square of his painting they would like to buy. Prints of his entire painting are also for sale online. This is his first attempt into professional art. He started participating in art shows 10 years ago, but always kept the paintings for himself or gave them to relatives.

The painting, 48 inches by 72 inches, shows a flower emerging from a ceramic pot with the starry universe and desert in the background.

“I wanted to capture that moment of discovery,” Loyola said. “You are looking for something that is already inside.”

Other works and jewelry from local artists and artists from Venezuela and Italy will also be on display at Gallery 57 which is located at 323 Waukegan Street in Highwood from 1 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

For gallery listings

Gallery 57

Gallery 57 holiday show through the end of the year features the beautiful original works of worldwide jewelry artists with bracelets, necklaces and earrings along with original paintings and sculptures, including “The Runner,” a finalist as the 2008 Olympic sculpture. Unique among the many local artists is the new style of work by Francisco Loyola who composes a large painting in 3 by 3 inch squares. Gallery 57 is located at 323 Waukegan Street in Highwood’s Restaurant Row. Open 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Phone 847/433-4750 and web site www.gallery57.com.

Gallery 57 holiday exhibit features unique jewelry,
Chicago area artists and art form new to the artist For immediate release

Gallery 57, a half year old North Shore gallery now known for outstanding original art, during the holiday season will feature one of a kind jewelry made by local and foreign artists.
The jewelry includes magnificent earrings, necklaces and bracelets that are not duplicated elsewhere. The artists will take orders if a person at the gallery would like something close to what is being displayed.

In addition there will be paintings, sculptures and photography by nearly a dozen outstanding Chicago and international artists. The sculptures include “The Runner” which has become a finalist as the official sculpture for the 2008 Olympics in China. More than 2,400 works of art were submitted to the Olympic art committee and it now is down to a handful with 17 judges from 9 countries.

Gallery 57

An unusual painting on display is by Francisco Loyola, Round Lake resident and teacher for the past decade at the College of Lake County. His art work is broken up into individual paintings of three by three inch squares. Loyola, who came to the United States from Mexico 20 years ago, said he initiated this kind of painting earlier this year. His painting is entitled “A New Beginning.”
Among the other artists whose works are on display are Lee Radtke of Lake Zurich, Jacqueline Zemke of Lake in the Hills, Adam Pollock and his mother, Peta Kaplan of Highland Park whose income from sales will go to fund a Nicaragua art education program they founded earlier this year; also Esperanza Barrosa, Suzanne Poursine Massion, Eleonora Tugues of Venezuela; Jeffrey Breslow on Chicago’s Near West Side; and George Martinez.
Gallery 57 is located at 323 Waukegan Street in downtown Highwood with hours from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Telephone number is 847/433-4750. Web site is www.gallery57.com.

The Gallery is conveniently located in a rehabbed turn-of-the century building, surrounded by fine trendy restaurants of the famed Highwood’s Restaurant Row.

Gallery 57 contact info:
325 Waukegan Avenue
Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: (847) 433-4750
Fax: (847) 433-4765
Email: gallery57@gmail.com

One Original Painting divided into 2”X2” squares each one of them framed using museum quality materials.

“A New Beginning” is an experiment in promotion and diffusion of affordable fine art. With this new and innovative approach, Francisco Loyola is, promoting his art directly to the public.

With “A New Beginning” Francisco is joining a growing group of established and emerging artists that are utilizing the internet to promote his art. This is the first of different projects that Francisco will create and promote.

The Painting “A New Beginning” was selected by Francisco because it appropriately reflects the spirit of his new endeavor. Not only marks the beginning of a new stage in his professional life, but also symbolizes for him the breaking with the past and embracing the future. Francisco utilizes an artistic process that involves several steps that combine traditional materials and techniques with the use of technology as an art tool. He first painted the base of this work using watercolors and acrylics on paper, then, this preliminary work is transferred to what he refers to as his electronic canvas, where he adjusts and refines the composition; once that he is satisfied with the result this composition is printed on canvas using archival inks. Finally Francisco applies the final touches directly into the canvas using acrylics mediums and paints. The Final Result is a unique blend of color and texture.

Francisco has been painting, doodling and creating since he can remember,

“A New Beginning” Art Project
Inquiries:
Please contact Francisco Loyola at (224)577-8579 or email francisco@franciscoloyola.com