About Gene Flores - Visit www.geneflores.com

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. I received my BFA from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and my MA and MFA from the University of Iowa with an emphasis in Printmaking. I began my teaching career at UTEP in 1996 where I taught basic drawing courses part-time. I was then hired full-time in 1997 as Gallery Director for the Department of Art and continued to teach drawing courses as well as run the galleries. I was Director for three years and then decided to move back to Iowa where I taught life-drawing part-time for a semester and also worked at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art as a Preparator. I currently live in La Center, Washington. I teach drawing, printmaking and life-drawing courses as well as run the North View Gallery at Portland Community College in Portland, OR. Currently my works can be seen at PAN (Print Arts Northwest) in Portland, Oregon. I continue to exhibit my works at various galleries throughout the country.

Artist Statement

All my works are self-portraits, a reflection of my life, from the death of my father to the joys of being alive. My images have been described as humorous, insightful, and disturbing. Many of works are a play on words and imagery, with mythological creatures and a combination of human and animal characters (logic and instinct) playing a vital role. I view my works as a window to another world with reoccurring characters and themes. My work tiptoes between surreal and absurd. When making my art, I play the role of the viewer and try to capture a glimpse into this strange world, a world where anything is possible and where anything can, and often does, happen.