george mendoza

This painting is sort of my inspirational image. "What color is the Wind?" I was fifteen, and a little girl named Debbie who was born blind, who had never seen the color green or the shape of a tree, asked me a question after the wind blew through her long brown hair. "Can you tell me, what color is the wind?". That question just blew my mind because I was just losing my sight then. She woke up my creative sense by asking me that question.

News

Sometimes my friends worry that I spend so much time pursuing my films and books - years go by. But I tell them, I don't know what else to do. I can't drive a truck. I'm not gonna be a train conducter. I can only do what I do, and that is write, paint, and lecture. With this in mind— the following projects are in active work.

Press Releases from The Art of Possibility Studios

George Mendoza Signs with the Art of Possibility Studios

George Mendoza signs with the Art of Possibility Studios for exclusive representation of his art to licensees. An author, athlete, artist, and motivational speaker declared to be a state treasure by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Mendoza's work has touched millions of lives through a rigorous gallery show career and numerous appearances.

The PBS documentaries "The George Mendoza Story", narrated by Robert Duvall (1989); and more recently "Vision of the Soul - The George Mendoza Story" (2006) chronicle this accomplished man's life despite his blindness from macular degeneration as a teen. William Buchanan's book, "Running toward the Light" chronicled Mendoza's vision loss.

Mendoza has written three books: A Vision of Courage, The Spirit Man Trilogy, and Cup of All Good Things.

What Color is the Wind?

Hal Marcus Gallery Exhibit - September 6^th through October 5^th, 2007

The Hal Marcus Gallery, 800 N. Mesa #100, El Paso, Texas.

George Mendoza, a legally blind painter and visinary artist, has been haunted for many years by a question asked of him by a little blind girl, "What color is the wind?"
In this one man show, Mr. Mendoza answers the question by exploring the colors of the wind with his abstract paintings.

Reception: Thursday September 6, 6-9pm
Gallery Talk: Thursday September 20, 7pm
On display through Friday October 5, 2007
Call (915) 533-9090 for information.

The psychology of color

I had the good fortune to make a new friend. Dick Stevans, who participated in areal photography direction for the movies "Top Gun", and "Hot Shots". Dick popped up in New Mexico, and we ran into each other.

Dick lives in Las Cruces and Silver City and he is one busy guy. Not content with retirement, he is working on a handfull of projects with New Mexico artists. See this article in the Alamogordo Daily News about our current project.

Vision of the Soul

The art show - 3/22/05

At the Loveland Art Museum Aug. 26 – Oct. 15, 2006

The Loveland Museum/Gallery will Exhibit thirty-two of my paintings. Keep an eye on VisionofTheSoul.org for information about this show, and many more to come.

Vision of the Soul

The George Mendoza Story - 1/20/05

This is a story of a man who is an athlete, a painter, and a writer. A man who is full of life. A man with a vision but not sight.

The thirty minute documentary of George Mendoza will begin with a poignant glimpse into his childhood… the shattering moment when the child's future was altered, when the child and mother discover the loss of George's sight. George will narrate, giving a true insight to this shaking moment in his life.

The story will continue on, breathing life into George's journey into adulthood. The story will be told through friends and relatives. But most importantly, told through George's mother who has been by his side since the dawn of his darkness. George will recount his life, his fears, his hopes, his gifts. George will prove that a man who is limited in vision, is not limited in life. He will run, he will paint, he will write, he will inspire.

Through interviews, stories, photographs, art, and memories, these thirty minutes will paint the story of George Mendoza and emblazon the idea that true vision does not come from one's eyes, it comes from one's soul. And that this vision is limitless and fearless.

Vision of the Soul: The George Mendoza Story is a compelling documentary that tells the life story of George Mendoza who was a promising high school athlete when he was stricken with a rare eye disease that left him legally blind. Suddenly faced with the terror of darkness and disability, George turned his fears and stubborn determination into a full life of remarkable accomplishments-Olympic runner, writer, artist, and motivational speaker to corporate, non-profit, and school audiences nationwide. The documentary weaves together historical footage and contemporary location footage with interviews of friends, family, and mentors to show George's unique inner vision and inspiring life philosophy.

The target audience for the film is Latino teens and families throughout the US who need positive role models and motivation to overcome life's setbacks in a culture that glorifies quick materialistic rewards and superficial celebrity. Many Latino teens are at risk students who drop out of school and turn to gangs, drugs, and other self-destructive behaviors seeking self-esteem and status. This film will help youth and adults think about the positive tools they have within themselves to overcome life's hardships and achieve. With its universal themes, this film will also appeal to general audiences of youth and adults nationwide.

His Life

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson recently issued a proclamation celebrating George Mendoza's upcoming art show. In it, the Governor recognizes George Mendoza "first and foremost for his art which touches our hearts and reaches deep into the souls of all New Mexicans". Vision of the Soul: The George Mendoza Story examines the life journey and artistic work of this man who inspires so many people with his positive inner vision of the world and drive to achieve despite his near blindness.

George Mendoza grew up in Long Island, New York in the early sixties. An active boy with a creative streak, he loved the beach, running sports, kept a journal, and painted in art class. His outgoing way attracted many friends and he was always involved in school and social activities. George's future seemed bright as he grew into a promising teenage athlete.

Without warning, George was stricken with a crippling, rare eye disease that left him legally blind, in an inner world of shadows, bright colors, and unending patterns. Sheer terror, anger, and hopelessness gripped George as he contemplated a future of dependency and disability. This traumatic assault on his life sent him into seclusion. He was suddenly different and his future plans were washed away like a sandcastle. Darkness loomed.

Yet George's determination and heart would see him through the darkness. Using his disability as a vessel, George Mendoza becomes a candle in a dark room, opening the eyes of others, as he himself finds NEW ways to see the world.

He set out to not only succeed in his own life, but help others along the way. George fought tremendous obstacles, and became a beacon for all those who felt were undermined by fate. He became distinguished painter, an Olympic runner, an inspirational painter, a published writer, and MOST OF ALL, a man who was not defined by his limitations but by his achievements. George continues to grow and glow, continues to prove that he has a unique inner vision.

Our goal is to produce a documentary about George Mendoza's journey to harness his inner vision and share it with others in his paintings and other creative works. The project will be a meaningful success if it reveals George's inner spirit, shows his humor, encourages others to move forward with boldness and passion.

The documentary begins with George at his one man show of 30 paintings at the International Art Museum in El Paso,TX. This event shows George surrounded by attendees and his paintings with close ups of several paintings and George chatting about his work. Only a wry comment informs the viewer that George is nearly blind.

George always mentions how he can look at his paintings and remember his place at the time. Big eyes watching and on the lookout. Big suns spreading energy and lightness. Large romantic sunflowers and roses. Dark landscapes filled with foreboding. Each painting is a snapshot of George's inner view of the outer world. The balance of the film presents several of George's paintings in detail with appropriate location footage and narration, interviews of family and friends and commentary from George. The program ends with George musing about all of the ideas he has for his next paintings, books, and shows.

Vision of the Soul: The George Mendoza Story speaks to several universal themes that will attract viewers of all ages. One is the cycle of promise, death and rebirth that is mirrored in George's life story. The second is the unshakable potential of the human spirit to face fear and trauma head on and thrive in new ways. The third is an intimate exploration of how art is an expression of the soul's perception of life and the world, the irony in this case being the artist has lost his physical sight.

Coverage of Vision of the Soul

For Immediate Release: 7/05/05
INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART SHOWCASES GEORGE MENDOZA

El Paso, TX. The International Museum of Art will premier 38 acrylic works by George Mendoza beginning August 4, 2005. The show will continue through September 3, 2005.

"Vision of the Soul" is George Mendoza's most comprehensive show and features works that reveal the moods and creative journey of this remarkable man. George Mendoza suffered from a crippling eye disease as a young teenager which left him legally blind. He has gone on to become an Olympic runner, published writer, motivational speaker, and artist. "I was young when I was disabled", says George Mendoza." It was a horrible time, but I learned I loved to run and paint. These things became my lifeline to accomplish so many things and surround myself with people who encouraged me."

"Vision of the Soul" has been applauded by First Lady Laura Bush and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as a major event in the borderland and a testimony to George Mendoza's ability to see the world and its complexities from the soul out.

For tickets and information concerning group sales, contact the International Museum of Art, 1211 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas, 79902-5511. Phone: 915-543-6747. Visit the Museum's web site for a 10 percent off coupon for the Museum's gift shop:
http://www.intlmuseumofart.com/ To preview the show on the Internet, visit the website: http://www.visionofthesoul.org/ For interviews, contact George Mendoza at 505-522-1074.

July 5th, 2005
The coming issue of Panorama Magazine will feature an interview about Vision of the Soul. Today I did an interview with Jeff Burg of the magazine Desert Exposure. He tells me that my painting Coffee in the Morning will appear on the cover of the August issue of Desert Exposure. Several New Mexico newspapers have asked him about this story.

August 4th, "George Mendoza Day" in New Mexico

Governor Richardson's office contacted me recently to discuss the coming Vision of the Soul show (see below,) and proposing an annual George Mendoza Day in the State of New Mexico. They would like to honor me for my work and for my contributions to the citizens of the Land of Enchantment. This is a very exciting surprize. The proclamation passed the New Mexico legislature. The wheels are in motion.

Vision of the Soul

I have selected thirty-eight of my paintings to be exhibited in Vision of the Soul to open at the International Museum of Art in El Paso, Texas on August 4th, 2005. The premere will be from 5:30 - 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 4th. Here is the web site, www.visionofthesoul.org.

Tony Hillerman will write the forward

for the upcoming re-release of Running Toward the Light. The University of New Mexico Press has decided to print a new edition of the book. UNM Press is a prestigious publisher and this this is an exciting rebirth of the book. I understand that the book will appear in the original form. I am doing a painting to be the basis of the book cover and of promotional posters. The book will include a link to this web site.

Web by tokind.