Robert “Bobby the Artist” Maldonado is an accomplished Expressionist painter and multidisciplinary artist based in San Antonio, Texas, where he was born and raised on the city’s Westside. Despite early challenges in accessing materials within a large family, Maldonado cultivated a resourceful passion for art, exemplified by an early cherished portrait of his father drawn on cardboard—a testament to his innate drive for creation.

Maldonado’s career trajectory was formally inspired at age 12 when his first canvas was displayed at Wonderland Mall. He further honed his skills at San Antonio College, where he was mentored by the renowned Smithsonian American Art Museum artist, Mel Casas. He also credits the esteemed portrait artist Armando Sanchez (whose work is exhibited at the Smithsonian National Gallery and includes portraits of Pope John Paul II) with influencing his advancement in oil painting and portraiture.

Maldonado’s significant accomplishments include:

• Selection as a Premier Artist for the globally recognized “World International Public Art Exhibit of CowParade.”
• Recipient of the Award for “Service, Commitment and Dedication to the City of San Antonio” for the Arts from The Empowered Women of San Antonio.
• Exhibiting his work at notable San Antonio venues such as Casa de Margaritas in the King William Art District and Art for Keeps Studio in Sonterra.

Beyond painting, Maldonado is actively involved in local theatre, lending his creative talents as a stage designer and an aspiring actor for the local play, “The Rosary.” An “unformed artist” by his own definition, he embraces the Expressionist style, embodying the spirit of a “True Renaissance Barrio Boyz.”

Inocencia “Chenta” Rey is a West Texas-based artist and retired educator whose work reflects the rich cultural and natural landscape of her roots. Holding a Master of Education from Texas Tech University (Lubbock, Texas) and a Bachelor of Education from Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, Texas), Rey utilizes her pedagogical background to inform her art, which is deeply inspired by the hard-working individuals, vast open spaces, and rich farming and ranch communities of “Big Sky Country” Lubbock.

Rey’s passion for art began early, notably winning first place in a youth art contest that introduced her to painting on canvas. She formally pursued her artistic education through specialized classes in the Art Department at Wayland Baptist University.

Her evocative works are highly sought-after by discerning patrons and have found permanent homes in both esteemed public institutions, such as the Robstown County Fairgrounds, and significant private collections, including those in Lubbock, Texas. She is recognized as a premier artist for collectors of authentic open-range and farmland landscapes.

As a dedicated international traveler, Rey has cultivated a broad perspective, engaging with a wide range of professional art exhibitions, museums, private collections, and fellow artists globally. Her gallery works skillfully blend realism and impressionist interpretations of the natural environment, featuring ageless terra firma, farmhouses, expansive open fields, and poignant portrayals of everyday Americana and working people.

Aside from her person painting passion, she is presently authoring a book by one of the most recognized court advocate, Sam Alvarado, who dedicated over 50 years in championing the underserved communities in legal courts in Texas. She dedicated a special commission painting in his honor.

Nephtalí De León is an internationally acclaimed Author, Poet, and Muralist Painter, and the recognized National Poet Laureate of Aztlan by the country of Mexico. A testament to artistic resilience, De León’s career is marked by his unique transition from a former migrant worker to a globally published multidisciplinary artist.Renowned for his vibrant poetry and richly illustrated writings for both children and adults, De León has forged a significant literary path without the benefit of a formal education. His acclaimed works include the illustrated poetry collection, Chicano Popcorn, and the published screenplay, La Llorona, a Spirit Unable to Rest (University of Valencia, Spain).

His literary footprint spans five countries—including the U.S., Mexico, Spain, France, and China (e.g., 追逐太阳 (Chasing the Sun), Yilin Publications)—with four publications released in Spain and two more currently in development there. A powerful global voice, his poetry has been translated into 12 languages, including Chinese, Arabic, Russian, and French. Furthermore, his art is featured in the definitive two-volume publication, Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Art (University of Arizona Press). De León is a highly sought-after Poet/Speaker on culture, poetry, and art, and has served as an Artist-in-Residence for numerous universities and institutions nationwide.

Books authored : 

La LLorona, a Spirit Unable to rest, Univ.of Valencia, also on Amazon,

Chicanos: Our Background & Our Pride, Univ. of Valencia, Spain

I will catch the Sun,  Denes Editorial,  Spain

Poemes de la Resistència Chicana , Germania Editorial, Spain

Tequila Mockingbird, Trucha Publications, USA

5 Plays, Totinem Publications, Denver, Colorado

Chicano Poet,  Trucha Publications, USA

I Color My Garden, Trucha Publications, USA

Chicano Popcorn,  Educators´Roundtable, USA

追逐太阳   (Chasing the Sun),  意林  Yilin Publications , Chi

Roberto Dorantes Alonzo was born in El Paso, Texas and given the name Wilkens when adopted by his stepfather at age 11. As a Mexican-American with an Anglo last name he defines himself as a purgatory artist, feeling fully accepted by neither culture. His personal history is reflected in his art by the play of contrasts and opposites. His mastery of the basic techniques of composition, balance and color theory allow him to apply and break the rules in his creations. His works blends the opposites of abstraction and realism, differing planes creating random, surreal universes, the contrast of lights and dark, the use of ripples showing parallel in one direction while reinforcing that something done differently will go another way. His subject matter ranges broadly from abstracts to westerns, still life to portraits, landscapes to realism, and more. His mural work includes the White House Theater Room for first Lady Laura Bush as well as churches, restaurants and homes. He is a prolific artist working at Live Art events, various businesses in and near San Antonio and traveling for competitions and commissions. An oil painter at heart he enjoys all artistic mediums including drawing, sculpting and welding. As an artist Robert constantly searches for answers on how to live a better life. “People view my work and ask me what I was thinking as an artist. Sometimes I have an answer, sometimes I just like how it looks, sometimes I don’t know or like the looks but someone else does and they will have the answer. Painting is my passion and profession. I do know if it hurts me to sell it then it’s good work.