by John Hambrick
Jorge Tecunolmos is an eccentric, outgoing man in his late/mid 20's who only recently found his passion for art. When The Rock Academy in Parkersburg was done remodeling, they needed some extra spunk and that is where Jorge came into play. He bought canvases and used what was left over to begin to paint.
As a WVU at Parkersburg graduate, Jorge speaks of his “business ticker” and how it wasn't until recently that he became passionate about art. As part of his upbringing, Jorge says that he's always been interested in the business and marketing aspect of the world. Travelling was also something that he began to enjoy at an early age. At one point he had considering being a translator for the United Nations. He speaks both french and spanish. He illustrated the importance of being able to present his artwork on different cultural platforms. Although he is just getting started, Jorge has his eye on the bigger picture.
Jorge Tecunolmos is an eccentric, outgoing man in his late/mid 20's who only recently found his passion for art. When The Rock Academy in Parkersburg was done remodeling, they needed some extra spunk and that is where Jorge came into play. He bought canvases and used what was left over to begin to paint.
As a WVU at Parkersburg graduate, Jorge speaks of his “business ticker” and how it wasn't until recently that he became passionate about art. As part of his upbringing, Jorge says that he's always been interested in the business and marketing aspect of the world. Travelling was also something that he began to enjoy at an early age. At one point he had considering being a translator for the United Nations. He speaks both french and spanish. He illustrated the importance of being able to present his artwork on different cultural platforms. Although he is just getting started, Jorge has his eye on the bigger picture.
When Jorge says “I find more fulfillment in creating things that are nonexistant” he is describing himself as an abstract artist. He also describes himself as a primitive artist; his paintings often simplistic. Sometimes he'll know exactly what he wants to do with a painting, but other times it's complete improvisation. Both approaches seem to take shape with each painting, further defining himself.
There's always a great desire to be representative of the final draft and Jorge wasn't always so confident of his work. He told of a story when he saught help to get his first piece, “Discovery,” framed. When he left on vacation, he came home to the painting being hung on the wall. Jorge felt uncomfortable, and exposed, this being the first time his artwork was on display. Feeling slightly insecure about the painting on the wall, he took it down. However, he now has the confidence and determination to be representative of his work.
Jorge tells that it didn't take long for him to begin painting on a regular basis. He said, “I knew what I wanted to do, it was just a matter of waiting for the paint to dry.”
Jorge draws his inspiration from God. Being adopted at a young age, Jorge strives to convey hope and help people to find their purpose in life.
In the case of another early painting, Jorge was painting for a music studio in the upstairs loft-area of The Rock Academy.
“I did that painting because I knew it was going to be in that room and the meaning behind it is that there's so much going on. There's a constant flow, but there has to be an author. So, I put my hands in the paint," said Jorge. "The red stands for the blood of Jesus and so I put those hands in there meaning that He was there, like his spirit, and He's the author. Anything that comes out of that room was inspired by him.”
Reflecting on the world today, Jorge says, “I think that art can be it's own thing but in our society, when we accociate something with art it is received better, something that is familiar with people and incorporates the new.” Jorge strives to bring these ideals to Parkersburg through his artwork.
“I believe that there's a lot of talented people, but they're not very open-minded,” said Jorge about Parkersburg. He believes many are “stuck in the norm of the area” and while this is “good, it's nothing new.” He hopes to bring excitement and inspiration to others in the area through his painting.
Recently, Jorge has been trying to open a gallery in the downtown area. Unfortunately, he was unable to obtain his desired building and is still in pursuit of a location. The objective of the gallery is to build exposure for himself.
Jorge also has faith in downtown Parkersburg and anticipates the WVU Parkersburg downtown campus. He speaks of a new program to help inform and prep the area for the new campus location to help downtown businesses grow. With more college students in the downtown area, coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses will most likely earn more revenue.
Jorge also hopes to donate one of his paintings to the downtown campus in hopes that it may inspire others. Jorge said that it is simply one way to “give back to the education that helped pave the way.”
There's always a great desire to be representative of the final draft and Jorge wasn't always so confident of his work. He told of a story when he saught help to get his first piece, “Discovery,” framed. When he left on vacation, he came home to the painting being hung on the wall. Jorge felt uncomfortable, and exposed, this being the first time his artwork was on display. Feeling slightly insecure about the painting on the wall, he took it down. However, he now has the confidence and determination to be representative of his work.
Jorge tells that it didn't take long for him to begin painting on a regular basis. He said, “I knew what I wanted to do, it was just a matter of waiting for the paint to dry.”
Jorge draws his inspiration from God. Being adopted at a young age, Jorge strives to convey hope and help people to find their purpose in life.
In the case of another early painting, Jorge was painting for a music studio in the upstairs loft-area of The Rock Academy.
“I did that painting because I knew it was going to be in that room and the meaning behind it is that there's so much going on. There's a constant flow, but there has to be an author. So, I put my hands in the paint," said Jorge. "The red stands for the blood of Jesus and so I put those hands in there meaning that He was there, like his spirit, and He's the author. Anything that comes out of that room was inspired by him.”
Reflecting on the world today, Jorge says, “I think that art can be it's own thing but in our society, when we accociate something with art it is received better, something that is familiar with people and incorporates the new.” Jorge strives to bring these ideals to Parkersburg through his artwork.
“I believe that there's a lot of talented people, but they're not very open-minded,” said Jorge about Parkersburg. He believes many are “stuck in the norm of the area” and while this is “good, it's nothing new.” He hopes to bring excitement and inspiration to others in the area through his painting.
Recently, Jorge has been trying to open a gallery in the downtown area. Unfortunately, he was unable to obtain his desired building and is still in pursuit of a location. The objective of the gallery is to build exposure for himself.
Jorge also has faith in downtown Parkersburg and anticipates the WVU Parkersburg downtown campus. He speaks of a new program to help inform and prep the area for the new campus location to help downtown businesses grow. With more college students in the downtown area, coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses will most likely earn more revenue.
Jorge also hopes to donate one of his paintings to the downtown campus in hopes that it may inspire others. Jorge said that it is simply one way to “give back to the education that helped pave the way.”