Born in Guadalajara Mexico in 1976, Minerva
Valdez, even as a child, showed great interest in the arts and crafts of
her homeland. As a child she would travel with her family to many
local shops and see all the many beautiful items created by local
artisans. She watched craftsmen and artists at the town fair turn
glass, clay, fabric and paint into art. For Minerva the very idea
of using her own hands to transform raw materials into something of
great beauty was an attraction to strong to resist. Wide eyed and
excited she would take it all in and Minerva knew that one day she too
would try her hand at this beautiful expression of her culture. As
a young girl, Minerva began her quest for a place in the art world. She
fashioned dyed corn husks (hojas) into beautiful flower arrangements and
center pieces, which she sold to friends and neighbors.
Still craving even more outlets of
expression, she took classes in sewing and began to make decorative
pillows, curtains and tablecloths. Her desire for the arts grew
even greater. Minerva started to study painting and practiced by
doing landscapes and still life art, always remembering to use the
bright and beautiful colors of her native Mexico. Vibrant reds,
yellows and oranges were combined with the strong colors of blues,
greens and browns to create a blend that is so representative of the
Mexican culture. In 2000, Minerva's pursuit of art was briefly
interrupted when she moved to the United States and to San Diego,
California. Here she began work and the long hours did not leave
her much time to follow her dreams of art. Minerva so missed her
native land of Mexico and its art with all of its bright colors, so she
decided to extend her talents to the home. Here she began to
decorate and paint and she brought that special feel to her every day
life. So keen was her eye for color and life that after seeing her
home she was invited to help in a redecorating project for the office of
the business where she was working and she has, in fact, since helped
with home makeovers of her friends and the results have all been
amazing! It was during this office redecorating, where she
selected wall art, plants and furniture, that she first received her
inspiration for what has now become the dream of Sol.O.Arte. A
portion of the office project involved the installation of new tile
surfaces for the worn out reception counters. Minerva was asked to
select the tile colors that she felt would best suit the office, she
brought the colors of Mexico, that she so loved. During the tiling
process many tiles were broken or cut to size and these remaining broken
or cut off pieces were to be discarded. Minerva instantly saw that
these lonely throw-aways had, like her, a future in art! She
collected these scraps, borrowed some grout, found some old wood and
through trial, error and love she has brought forth the beauty, the life
and the art of Sol.O.Arte.
Each piece is unique, all are handcrafted
by Minerva alone. Each tile is broken and each piece is hand
selected and perfectly fit into the pattern of the mosaic to create a
moment, a thought, the happiness in life. Minerva's gift to her
culture, herself and to all that view her beautiful mosaics. May
the happiness and brightness of Sol.O.Arte enter your life as well!
