A Man and his work

Mike McCarty · 07-23-2004, 07:06 PM

I've spent the last few days in my home town of San Antonio, Texas. While back home I always try and find time to visit my favorite restaurant in the whole world. I have been going to the "Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia" ever since I was a small boy. It has not changed 5% in that time.

This is a very large restaurant. We were put in the very back dining room, and to my delight, I met a local portrait artist named Robert Ytuarte. Robert was painting, restoring and revitalizing a large a la fresco mural.

I approached him and introduced myself as a portrait artist and we began blabbing away. He was working on a flamenco dancer and complaining about guess what? Thats right, poor photo reference.

I asked if there would be a self portrait on his mural and he thought that there should be. I excused myself and ran out to the car and got my camera bag. When I got back to my table I set my young nephew up in what I thought was a reasonable light and took a few practice shots. I then went back to Robert and asked him to come pose for a head and shoulder shot that I would send back to him.

The following are some of the shots I took. The mural shown represents about 60% of the total, it extends much further to the right. The inset portion shows Frida Kehlo and Diego Rivera. The others are notable Hispanic figures.

Julie Deane · 07-23-2004, 08:21 PM

Hi -

I think this is a copy of one of Diego Rivera's famous murals, isn't it? I remember it had his wife Frida Kahlo in it, plus many famous people of his day.

Mike McCarty · 07-23-2004, 10:55 PM

Julie,

I think it is done in that vein. Many of the people depicted are local contemporary luminaries. He said everyone wants to be on the wall.

He was using acrylic paints and mixing them with cement! I didn't get the full explanation for this but it sounded like a very permanent approach.

According to the bio that Mr. Ytuarte's gave me, he has had individual shows in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and San Antonio, and has taught portraiture in San Antonio since the mid 80's. He seemed like a nice fellow and was eager to talk about the work.

I have missed the Mexican culture these last twenty plus years I've been in Oklahoma. This restaurant is full of Mariachis that will surround your table and serenade you. The bakery alone probably does as much business as many restaurants, and the main bar is one of the most grand I have ever seen. The large dining room where this mural is displayed is probably only twenty five percent of the total restaurant.

I would bet that forum member and San Antonio resident, Daniel Arredondo, has visited Mi Tierra many times.

It's been said that San Antonio is one of the four unique cities in the U.S. along with New Orleans, San Francisco and NYC.

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-23-2004, 11:13 PM

Hi Mike,

Thank you for sharing this with us. How lucky for him that you were there and nice enough to take a wonderful photo of him for the mural.

Joan

Kimberly Dow · 07-28-2004, 03:17 PM

Mike why didn't you tell me about this place before? Now I am not so close...

I have heard of this fellow - he emailed me about 8 years ago askiing if I'd like to help with a mural (isn't that his spcialty?) in Corpus Christi. I think it's the same guy. I don't think the mural ever happened though.

Did you get to the museum? You should have let me know you were going to be there (ok - maybe I was in the middle of moving) - I was about to offer to show you around - but I am sure you know SA better than me!

Mike McCarty · 07-28-2004, 04:27 PM

Kim,

I really don't know much more about Mr. Ytuarte. I would think that after this project he could easily proclaim murals to be a specialty.

When I return to San Antonio I don't have much time to wonder around, my time his mostly taken up with relatives. I do, however, insist on a trip to Mi Tierra.