NORMA ALONZO, A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
Norma
Alonzo has always taken her painting life seriously, albeit privately. An
extraordinarily accomplished artist, she has been painting for over 25 years.
Beginning as a landscape painter, she quickly transitioned to an immersion in all
genres to experiment and learn.
Initially, Alonzo was torn between professions - the arts or a career in
architecture. She chose the arts, graduating from San Jose State University in
San Jose, California with a degree in Interior Design. After working in
this field and ultimately heading her own design firm, her focus turned to the
creation of fine art. Under the mentorship of Richard Lees (artist and art
historian of Pasadena, California), Alonzo was encouraged toward honesty in her
painting without judgment, without expectation, and without the confines of outside
demanding interests.
Through
her paintings, Alonzo examines our place, metaphysically and functionally, in
the midst of today’s fast-paced world. For Alonzo, it has been a year of
painting dangerously. Experimentation with the formal elements of line, form,
mass and texture are now in play. More importantly, the guiding principle is
fearlessness in the use of color and space.
Of her
current work, Alonzo states, “Abstract painting has pushed its way into
everything I have done. I am forever manipulating line, color, and shape into
something more. For many years I have been playing, experimenting, and learning
what the different mediums can do. Researching art history, painters, their
methods…At this point in my painting life I am an amalgam of my
experimental/learning years, my love of landscape (the ultimate abstract),
color, decor, art history, and my own life journey.”
The
visual experience of Alonzo’s newest body of work reflects her many years in
California and the regional/global influence of the Post-War Bay Area
Figurative movement. Specifically dominant are Richard Diebenkorn (American,
1922 – 1993) and Wayne Thiebaud (American, b. 1920). In addition,
Alonzo cites Henri Matisse (French, 1869 – 1954) as inspiration.
A
major life-changing event imposed and necessitated a profound emotional
overhaul. She relocated to beautiful
Santa Fe, New Mexico and found the space to heal, strengthen and create. She has
reached a new appreciation for her life’s work and embraces the potency of her exploration
of self-reflection, beauty and redemption in her paintings.
“I
have painted for many years always with the notion that it was only for me. I no
longer feel this way… I have something powerful to share…I have a distinct view
point and I see tremendous value in it.”