Sergio Salas, Artist
Growing Up
I was born in Coahuilas, Mexico, and immigrated to Northern Colorado at the age of nine. During the 1950s, much of the area was farmland and families frequently escaped to the Rocky Mountains on the weekends. I would wander off by myself and find a quiet, peaceful spot. Later, I sketched what I saw. A teacher noticed my art and encouraged me to continue. Although there weren’t many artists in my community, the expansive vistas between Loveland and Fort Collins and the majesty of the Rocky Mountains inspired me to paint.
Sergio Salas, age 9.
Influences
My mom also had a big impact. She was always supportive, no matter what I did. Even when my drawings weren't great, she encouraged me and believed in my potential. There are times I struggled with painting because a piece didn’t go right, but I have learned from each piece.
Sergio Salas, his mother, Hermalinda Salas, and his brother, Pablo Salas in Loveland, Colorado, 1960's. Not pictured: his sisters Mary and Nancy.
Career
I earned my BA in art at the University of Northern Colorado in 1967 and chose to focus on teaching. My teachers saw my potential, from when I was an eight-year-old learning English to a high school student juggling sports, school, and helping my family financially. Inspired by their encouragement, I wanted to offer the same support to young artists. I helped start the first bilingual preschool in Johnstown, Colorado, and taught high school art in Colorado, New Mexico, and Southern California. However, my heart is with preschool teaching, excited by the wild mark-makings of young students. I admire the freedom and spontaneity of a 5-year-old artist.
Sergio Salas helped found the first bilingual preschool in Johnstown, Colorado, and was featured on the cover of their report.
s!
Inspiration
Although I now live in Southern California, those vistas in Colorado and New Mexico represent peace. This is reflected in my landscape paintings. In addition to art, I love sports. I played football in high school. I still love the sport, especially when the Denver Broncos are playing (and winning). That’s why some of my paintings are of football players.
This painting is titled 'Evasion'. It is available as an original ($200) or fine art print (starting at $15).
Today
In my paintings, I hope to share the emotions I felt when I stood in the stillness of the Rocky Mountains or when watching a running back make a pass during the last seconds of a game. I’ve been greatly influenced by the way the impressionistic and tonalist artists of the 19th century used thick brushstrokes to convey energy and emotion. I use a similar style in both my landscapes and sports figures. I invite you to look at my work and consider buying an original here. Each of these paintings represents a part of my life story.
Sergio still paints in his backyard art studio most days.
This website was created by Sergio's daughter, Temple Salas-Yoshii. All text was written by Temple based on interviews with her father and general family knowledge. Any errors are hers, despite her father's many attempts to set her straight during the creation of the website (and honestly, throughout her entire lifetime). If you need inspiration for a pseudonym, you can borrow hers: Temple DeLaSol. The Sol, of course, is her Papa.❤️
by Temple Salas-Yoshii, August 7, 2024
Left: DALL-E generated linocut of Sergio Salas, age 80 Right: DALL-E generated linocut of Temple Salas-Yoshii, age 55.
