P R O F I L E & R É S U M É
Chispa was born in Venezuela and spent her childhood there and in the neighboring island of Trinidad where her developing senses were surrounded by lush vegetation, aquamarine seas with stunning rocky shores and picturesque towns whose populations included many East Indians and British colonial blacks. It is, then, not surprising that from her earliest years she has defined her surroundings first and foremost by color! "Color reaches my heart and my mind first, all other definitions follow." Throughout her artistic career the salient quality in her work has been the use of rich color, regardless of medium or subject matter.
Just as she has welcomed the many twists and turns in her life's exciting paths, Chispa has relished experimenting with the many approaches and technical directions necessary to travel a variety of mediums and subjects: from landscapes to figures, or from 'magic realism' to abstraction, binding it all together with luminous color. Her first choice of medium was watercolor. Later, as she was introduced to oils and was captivated by the intensity of color that she could achieve with that medium.
Chispa has been exhibiting her work throughout the U.S since 1980 and has been elected to full membership in the National Watercolor Society, Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, Society of Layerists in Multi Media, and many Southwestern, regional and local art societies. She has served as instructor in college (Texas A & M Univ., C.C.) and conducted workshops in Texas, France and Venezuela. Chispa lives and works in the Texas gulf coast town of Corpus Christi.
R É S U M É
Chispa Hernandez Bluntzer
PLACE OF BIRTH
Caracas, Venezuela
EDUCATION
1995 Post Graduate Studies
New York University New York, NY
1991 B.F.A. - Painting
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, TX
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2008 Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
Design Workshop
2000 - Present Central Catholic Elementary Corpus Christi, TX
Art Teacher
1998 Les Cerqueux s/Passavant France
Atelier sans Frontieres
Instructor
1995 Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, TX
Adjunct Professor - Art 206
1993 Smith Art Workshops Caracas, Venezuela
Instructor Watercolor
1992 Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, TX
Adjunct Professor - Art 490 & 506
1992 Creative Art Center Corpus Christi, TX
Instructor - Children's Summer Art Program
1991 Victoria Art Association Victoria, Texas
Watercolor Instructor & Collage Workshop
1989 Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
Watercolor Instructor
SELECTED ONE PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2007 Galvan House Gallery Corpus Christi. TX
'Speaking of Birds'
2005 Art Center for the Islands Port Aransaas, TX
Chispa Bluntzer: Meet the Artist
2004 Kucera Gallery, Art Center of C.C. Corpus Christi, TX
'Sometimes Green is Black'
2000 Seller's Market Gallery Kingsville , TX
Chispa Bluntzer, Guest Artist
1993 Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
Chispa Bluntzer - Various Mediums
1991 Corpus Christi State University Corpus Christi, TX
Chispa Bluntzer, B.F.A. Exhibition
1987 Corpus Christi Public Library Corpus Christi, TX
Inaugural Exhibition: Chispa Bluntzer
1985 Thomason Gallery Fort Worth, TX
Chispa Bluntzer - Works on Paper
1985 Bay Front Plaza Arts and Science Center Corpus Christi, TX
Chispa Bluntzer - New Works
1981 Joske's of Texas Corpus Christi, TX
Distinguished Corpus Christi Artists Series
1981 Corpus Christi Museum Corpus Christi, TX
Chispa Bluntzer - Regional Watercolors
SELECTED INVITATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
2007 Coastal Bend College Beeville, TX
Simon Michael Gallery
'Three Women Artists'
2007 Galvan House Multicultural Center Corpus Christi, TX
'Las Comadres'
2006 Texas A&M University, CC Corpus Christi, TX
Islander Gallery
'Merienda '06'
2005 Art Center of Corpus Christi, Kucera Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
'Las Comadres: 10 th Anniversary
2005 Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
Masters Invitational
2005 Del Mar College, Cain Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
22 Drawings from the Holmes Collection
2005 Texas A&M University, CC Corpus Christi, TX
Islander Gallery
'Visual Dialogue'
2004 The Nave Museum Victoria , TX
'Las Comadres: Women of Vision'
2004 Art Center for the Islands Port Aransas, TX
"Color X 3"
2004 Del Mar College Cain Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
'Selecciones Hispanas'
2003 South Texas Institute for the Arts,
A. E. Garcia Ctr. Corpus Christi, TX
'Los Nuevos Artistas'
2003 Texas A&M Corpus Christi Univ., Weil Gallery Corpus Christi, Tx
'ConTejas Contemporary'
2002 Prudential Securities Corpus Christi, TX
"Rock Solid Art'
2002 K Space Art Studios/Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
'Healers & Saints"
2002 Wilhelmi-Holland Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
'Art & Ornament'
2001 Texarkana Regional Arts Center Texarkana, AK
Las Comadres: Kitsch 'N Art
2000 Texas A&M University Kingsville, TX
Las Comadres: Boundaries
1999 Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
"Las Comadres: 9 Points of View " (Catalogue Available)
Curated by: Melissa Miller
1999 Rockport Center for the Arts Rockport, TX
"Texas Layerists"
1998 Wilhelmi / Holland Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
"Great Expectations"
1998 Texas Institute for the Arts: Corpus Christi, TX
A.E. García Education Center
"Women Artists" (A Project of Texas A&M Univ., CC, Art Deptment.)
1998 Corpus Christi Multicultural Center Corpus Christi, TX
"Las Comadres: Kitsch 'N Art"
1998 Rockport Art Center Rockport, TX
"Viva" Invitational Exhibition
1997 Multicultural Center Corpus Christi, TX
Molcajete: Blending Cultures and Friendships
Las Comadres Invitational Exhibition
1997 Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
The Hispanic Voice - Selections from the permanent collection
1996 Multicultural Center Corpus Christi, TX
Las Comadres: Pairs & Parodies
1995 Weil Gallery - Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, TX
Return to Ward Island - 2nd Invitational Alumni Exhibition
1992 University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio,TX
The Universal Link: Art is for Healing
Curator: Richard Newman, Artist
1992 Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
Target: South Texas-Subjective Visions (Catalogue available)
Curator: Margaret Gilham, AMST Curator
1988 Southwest Craft Center San Antonio, TX
Endeavors
1988 Western Colorado Center for the Arts Grand Junction, CO
National Watercolor Society Invitational
Curator: Stephen Doherty, Editor, American Artist Magazine
1987 Zanesville Art Center Zanesville, OH
Layering/Connecting
1986 Tiburon Gallery Austin, TX
Chispa Bluntzer & Ron Pokrasso
1983 Bonner/White Gallery Corpus Christi, TX
Premier Exhibition
SELECTED JURIED EXHIBITIONS (since 1988)
2008 Tri Group 44 (Award)
Juror: Dr. Carey Rote, Tx. A&M Univ. CC
Cain Gallery, Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
2007 South Texas Art League Annual Juried Exhibition (Award)
Juror: Michelle Locke, Curator/Registrar AMST
Art Museum of Sout Texas Corpus Christi, TX
2006 South Texas Art League 48 Annual (Award)
Juror: James Moltz, Artist/Teacher/Master Jeweler
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
2006 South Texas Art League Annual Juried Exhibition
Juror: Dr. William Otton, Director AMST
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
2005 Corpus Christi Art Center Dimensions 33 Corpus Christi, TX
Jurors: Jayne Duryea, Coastal Bend College Art Chair
Joe Pena, Teacher TAMUCC
2005 South Texas Art League Annual Juried Exhibition
Juror: Masafumi Hase, International Artist/Teacher
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
2005 South Texas Art League 71st Annual (Award)
Juror: Larry Felder, Graphic Designer
Corpus Christi Art Center Corpus Christi, TX
2005 Watercolor Society of South Texas, 36 Annual
Juror: KenHosmer, Artist/Teacher
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
2004 Tri Group 40 (Award)
Juror: Charles E. Weissinger, TAMUK Professor
Cain Gallery, Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
2004 Art Center of C.C.: Dimensions '04 Corpus Christi, TX
Jurors: Charles Field, TX Univ. S. Antonio Art Dept.
Richard Scherpereel, Texas A&M, Kingsville Art Dept.
2004 South Texas Art League Annual Exibition Corpus Christi, TX
Juror: Renzo Barchi, Houston Art League
2003 37th National Drawing & Sculpture Show
Juror: Brian Paulsen, Univ. of Nebraska
Cain Gallery, Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
2003 South Texas Art League 69 Anniv. Exhibition (Award)
Juror: Deborah Fullerton, Art Museum of S. TX. Curator
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
2003 Tri Group 39 Corpus Christi, TX
Juror: Amorette Garza, Del Mar College Art Dept.
2003 Art Museum of South Texas Bienial
Juror: Dr. Edmond P. Pillsbury, Pillsbury/Peters Fine Art, Dallas, TX
Art Museum Of Sout Texas Corpus Christi, TX
2002 36th National Drawing & Sculpture Show Corpus Christi, TX
Juror: Marty Mayo, Contemporary Art Museum, Houston
Cain Memorial Gallery, Del MarCollege Corpus Christi, TX
2001 South Texas Art League Annual (Award)
Juror: Cynthia Perkins, Del mar College Art Dept.
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
1999 33rd. Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show (Purchase Award)
Juror: Susan Shatter, N.Y.
Cain Memorial Gallery, Del MarCollege Corpus Christi, TX
1999 Tri Group Annual Exhibition (Award)
Cain Memorial Gallery, Del Mar College Corpus Christi,TX
1998 South Texas Art League Annual Exhibition
Juror: Alice Carrington, Carrington Gallery Ltd., San Antonio, TX
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
1997 Watercolor Society of South Texas 27th Annual Exhibition (Award)
Juror: Angie B. Brown, Dallas, Tx
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
1995 Western Federation of Watercolor Societies 20th Annual Exh. (Award &
Selection for Travel Exh.)
Juror: Virginia Cobb, AWS
Transco Towers Galleries Houston, TX
1995 "Artists of the Gulf States" (Award)
Juror: Luis Jimenez, Artist
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi ,TX
1994 South Texas Art League Annual Exhibition
Juror: Martha Fenstemaker, Chair, Art Department, Laredo Community College
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
1994 Watercolor Society of South Texas 24th Annual Exh. (Award)
Juror: Don Andrews, AWS
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
1993 South Texas Art League,60th Anniversary Exh. (Award)
Juror: William Otton, Director, Art Museum of South Texas
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
1993 South Texas Art League, Citation '93 (Award)
Juror: Jim Edwards, Former Curator, San Antonio Art Museum;
Prof. Art History, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi,TX
1993 South Texas Watercolor Society Annual
Juror: Alex Powers, AWS
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi ,TX
1992 Citation Show (Award)
Juror: Reginald Rowe, Professor, San Antonio Art Institute
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
1991 South Texas Watercolor Society Annual (Award)
Juror: Leo Smith, AWS
Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
1991 Tri Group 27 (Award)
Juror: Kiezo Koga
Cain Memorial Gallery - Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
1991 South Texas Art League Annual Exh. (Award)
Jurors: Randolph Flowers, Greg Reuter, Professors of Art
Cain Memorial Gallery - Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
1991 Western Federation of Watercolor Societies 16th Annual Juried Exh. (Award)
Jurors: Virginia Cobb, AWS & Keith Crown, AWS
Corpus Christi Art Center Corpus Christi, TX
1990 Citation'90 (Award)
Juror: Maggie Gilham, Curator, Art Museum of South Texas
Cain Memorial Gallery - Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
1989 Texas Watercolor 40th Annual Exh. (Selected for traveling exhibition)
Juror: Gerald Brommer, AWS
The McNay Art Museum San Antonio, TX
1989 Texas Visual Arts Association -16th National Open Exh.
Juror: Dr. Virginia Mecklenburg, Curator of Painting & Sculpture, National Museum of
American Art of the Smithsonian Institute Dallas, TX
PUBLICATIONS
Books
Creative Collage Technique, Nita Leland and Virginia Lee Williams, North Light Books,
Cincinnati, Ohio, 1995, color illustration page 127.
Collage Techniques, Gerald F. Brommer, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1995,
color illustration page 114.
Watercolor and Collage Workshop, Gerald F. Brommer, Watson-Guptill, Publications,
New York, 1986, color illustration page 94.
Newspapers & Periodicals
Corpus Christi Caller Times, Arts & Entertainment, "The Art of Las Comadres"
by Paige Ross, June 17, 1999, page B6
Corpus Christi Caller Times, Review by Paige Ross, May 27,1999, page A22.
Corpus Christi Caller Times, Artview by Ed Lambert, March 7, 1997 page E10,
Illustration page E14.
Southern Texas Informer, Art & Books, Patricia M. Holt, April 1990, Volume III, No. IX,
page 16, illustrations pp.16 &17.
Corpus Christi Caller Times, Review by Maurice Schmidt, December 22, 1985.
Corpus Christi Caller Times, Art & The Artist, Michael Spies, May 8, 1981, illustration
page 1, section D.
Southern Watercolor Society Scene, Spotlight on the Artist, December 3, 1981,
illustrations pp. 2 & 3.
PUBLIC and CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Art Museum Of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
Permanent Collection
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Corpus Christi, TX
Permanent Collection
Commerce Bank Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi Bank & Trust, Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi Cathedral Corpus Christi, TX
Nations Bank Corpus Christi, TX
Suemaur Oil Corpus Christi, TX
Porter Oil Corpus Christi, TX
Landmark Condominiums Corpus Christi, TX
