Senior artists’ work honored at Muckenthaler

Senior Spike Lopez was truly honored when they learned that their painting would be displayed at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center for the district art show, but transporting the oversized 4-feet high by 4-feet wide canvas was going to be tough. Three days before the opening, Lopez carefully loaded the piece in their pick up truck, but when they reached Bastanchury Road, the painting flew out of the back. Just as they started pulling over, Lopez saw an SUV drive right over the piece.

Senior Spike Lopez used acrylic paint and a custom-built canvas to create their piece “Begin Again.” Lopez originally used primary colors then dulled out the background to make the bright colors pop even more. Whites and darks were then added to create depth.
(Photo by Spike Lopez)

“I didn’t feel anything other than the adrenaline. I immediately pulled into a nearby parking lot. I waited for traffic to pass then ran into the street to grab it,” said Lopez, who was grateful the painting landed close to the gutter. “Fortunately there wasn’t too much damage. Only the wooden canvas stretcher was busted. I dropped it off at the Muckenthaler hoping they would be able to fix it. Their staff member, Adam, was able to rebuild the canvas stretcher and hang it just in time for the show.”

Lopez’s piece “Begin Again,” created with acrylic paint and a homemade canvas, showcases the process of building yourself up again after a break up. Lopez actually painted the piece a year ago. It was originally titled “Like This,” but Lopez says they wanted to express a different feeling. “I changed the name from ‘Like This’ to ‘Begin Again’ because it was no longer about my ex, it was about me,” Lopez said. “I was focusing too much on other people and not enough on growing as a person.”

Glad that they and the painting survived the transportation ordeal, Lopez says they plan to display their piece in the hallway near Room 86 because they don’t yet have enough wall space at home to accommodate the oversized painting.

Lopez, along with four other Fullerton students, showcased their pieces at the Muck for the annual district art show Jan. 18–Feb. 11. Students were encouraged to submit their favorite piece, whether for its technical merit or for its artistic message. This year’s honorees showcase FUHS’s wide range of visual art studies including photography, painting, 3D design, and drawing. The Tribe Tribune has also included a few photos of pieces submitted by other schools in the district.