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Brief Biography

I was born in 1931 in Canton Ohio along with my twin brother Carlos. Being twins gave us a very gifted start in life. At the early age of 2 or 3 dad would show us how to create a cartoon head out of numbers. This was very fascinating and we would try to copy the cartoon. This was my first recognition of art.

My first art award came early. I was awarded First Place in a coloring contest of all first graders. The prize was 2 cents and art work posted on a big bulletin board in the main hallway for the entire world to see.

Somehow drawing came easy and dad bought us each a small drawing slate board and chalk and we wore them out. My brother was my chief competitor and we would have all kinds of drawing contests that continued for many years.

While in grade school I won a summer art scholarship to the Canton Art Museum.

In high school, my brother and I were the first freshmen to design all the stage sets for the annual school Pageant Play.

Majoring in Commercial Art in high school opened my eyes to art in general. Art history was my first exposure to real artists of the past etc.

I continued art education at the Cleveland Institute of Art and graduated in 1954.

As the Student Council President I founded the night school Advertising Layout Design and Illustration program in 1954. After my return from Military duty, I taught the Advertising course for the next 5 years.

Then I became an Advertising Agency art director...later a group art supervisor for 17 years,

I moved back to Canton. Joined the Canton Art Museum and The Massillon Museum of Art and began exhibiting in art shows in the county area. At one point I entertained a very successful “One Man Show” with 44 paintings.

Painting in Oils seems to excite me more than any other medium. I recently started painting in the egg tempera medium such as the Old Masters did: beautiful, vibrant colors, unmatched in any other medium. Canvas comes alive and urges one into the painting itself. That is realism.

The true artist is the luckiest and most informed person ...
because... he has learned... to see.

 
Achievements:

• Recipient of many Consumer and Advertising Ad Awards
• Runner-up in a nationwide Christmas Tuberculosis Postage Stamp Design Contest
• Lecturer
• Art Director Awards Judge
• Founder of Avon Lake Fine Arts Annual Art Show
• Formed Jose Vazquez & Associates Advertising Agency (Retired after 29 years)
• Winner of the "Best In Show" Award in the Canton Art Museum Winter Art Show

Contact Information for Jose Vazquez: