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A native of Taos, New Mexico, Jorge Lovato began his career as a woodcarver creating miniature versions of traditional New Mexican religious figures and animals. Inspired by his mother, Eva Lovato, a brilliant woodcarver, he soon developed a unique vision of his own. Jorge has become known for his groupings of miniature figures ranging from plains buffalo to New York taxi cabs all carved out of a single block of wood.
Jorge served as a hospital corpsman in Vietnam. 1 le completed his undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico and has studied at the Fine Arts Center of New Orleans and at Student’s Art in New York City. 1 lis work is shown in galleries around the world.
While living in New York City Lovato began painting urban landscapes. After seeing a picture of Bay St. Louis in a library book, Jorge decided to move to the picturesque town shown in the photograph. Many of Lovato’s paintings have become a record of coastal scenes that were destroyed bv Katrina.
“After hearing about the Bridge Art Contest, knowing 1 wanted to be a part of it, 1 began thinking of something that would depict life on the coast. The old Bay Bridge was used by locals and tourists as a fishing pier. The spotted sea trout, being one of the most sought-after fish, seemed to be the perfect fit. 'Schools of fish’ is a theme 1 like. 1 always paint one fish going a different direction; not following the crowd.”
“The Bay Bridge has become a monument to people coming together to create great things.”
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