Humberto Saenz, a Lone Star College-North Harris art instructor, shows off his 2008 11" X 17" lithograph entitled "Una Nueva Guerra." Photo by Jerry Baker.

By FLORI MEEKS
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT

For Humberto Saenz, creating art is all about the process.

“You have to find solutions to the problems you have: trying to communicate visually to the audience,” the 29-year-old Spring resident said.

Saenz, who teaches art for Lone Star College System and Houston Community College System, speaks boldly in his new print collection about immigration issues and their far-reaching effects.

Migration incorporates mythology and current events, symbolism and painful images to convey Saenz’ messages.

The collection was recently on display at the LSC-North Harris College Library Gallery.

“His works are carefully precise and beautifully wrought from an aesthetic viewpoint, but he also shares a vision of the innate dangers, the common frustrations and the political misperceptions attached with his culture,” gallery director Gary Conners said.

“The visual honesty of his art helps bridge any gaps, and he does so with humor, panache, and a formidable skill set.”

Saenz, who has enjoyed drawing since he was a boy, began his college career at Baylor University with the intention of becoming an architect.

There, he was captivated by an artist working on woodcuts, who spoke to Saenz about art and art history.

Saenz started taking courses in drawing, painting and sculpture and earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art in 2004. He went on to earn a master of arts in art and a master of fine arts with a concentration in printmaking, both from University of Dallas, Irving.

Now he teaches drawing and art appreciation for LSC-North Harris and printmaking at HCC’s Central College.

Helping others discover art is an exciting experience, Saenz said. “The communication and dialogue between the students is what I enjoy most.”

Saenz creates his art with photolithography. He begins the images with drawings, which are transferred to aluminum plates and exposed to UV light to create plates. Saenz runs his prints through a lithography press by hand each time he applies a new color.

Among the pieces in Migration is “Amago De Color.” The print focuses on the misconception that immigrants are a threat to the United States, Saenz said.

“It is common belief that we should be at war with this issue. Therefore, I depict this imagery by incorporating the Western myth of the Trojan War.”

The print displays a Trojan horse as a piñata.

“I have always been fascinated with the ceremony that is closely associated with the piñata,” Saenz said.

“The mutilation and the inherent bashing of the piñata allude to the oppression on Mexican culture and the dissidence towards Mexican immigrants.”

Another piece is “Crusando La Linea.” The image shows two figures: a boy who has taken refuge under a cactus and another figure face down and injured.

“In this print I attempt to portray the unlawful and sometimes outright horrendous treatment of people who are trying to cross the border,” Saenz said.

“I attempt to portray the aftermath of a broken dream by filling the background with specks of color reminiscent of confetti.”

A large part of working on this task called for researching mythology, law and current events.

“There was a lot of information I had to digest,” Saenz said.

Some of his goals from here, he added, are to have more opportunities to show his art and, eventually, to open his own studio where he can teach and offer free seminars to at-risk youths.

For more information about Saenz, visit www.HumbertoSaenz.com.

Send “Faces in the Crowd” profile suggestions to gus.morgan@chron.com.