Herman Sillas' art talent was recognized early when he won first prize in a 1947 Los Angeles City Unified School District poster contest. At fifteen, he was accepted at the prestigious Otis Art Institute of Los Angeles. The following year, the Institute awarded him a scholarship. But upon graduating from high school, he placed his art on hold to attend UCLA and pursue a law career.
THE CHICANO YEARS
As a young lawyer in the turbulent sixties, he became part of the L.A. Chicano movement. His 1965 painting, "The Mexican American," depicting the conflict of the two cultures within each Mexican American and the search for identity made front page of the EL MALCRIADO newspaper. Posters of this painting are still in demand. When teacher Sal Castro led 4000 Chicano students in the Los Angeles 1968 Walkouts and was indicted, Sillas served as his attorney. The appellate court declared the indictment infringed free speech and dismissed the indictment. Sillas and other Chicano lawyers founded The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). The Chicano Movement and Mexican muralists had a pronounced impact on Sillas’ painting. Traces of that influence are still found in his work today.
THE POLITICAL YEARS
In the seventies, Sillas became politically active and in 1975 he was appointed Director of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Jerry Brown. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed Sillas as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California. During this period he continued painting exploring different techniques. Following his stint in government, Sillas returned to private practice and became the managing partner of a state-wide law firm. He became a weekend painter.
THE RETURN TO ART
In 2004, the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) commissioned him to paint a piece for its annual conference. Encouraged by the request, he became a more active artist. The following year he entered his work, Fiesta/USA, at the San Clemente Art Association’s February 2005 Show. His painting was awarded "Show’s Best." LA’s Best, a Los Angeles Unified School District’s after-school program, immediately purchased 2,500 posters of this work.
The Mexican American Bar Association (MABA) commissioned Sillas to create a painting commerating its 50th anniversary for 2010. A limited number of giclee copies of the painting, "Our Journey" are now available for purchase. Check out the gallery for a view of this historical painting. From 2006 through 2009, each year MALDEF commissioned him to paint its art piece for the year. His efforts produced the historical view of MALDEF in "Young Warriors," the moving and powerful "Voices, Footsteps,and Dreams," thought provoking, "Latinos and MALDEF reshaping America" and controversial "Peace, Liberty and Justice for All." In his paintings, Sillas explores his roots and talent while calling on his experiences. He paints with heritqage sensitive eyes.
THE CONTINUAL SEARCH
Presently, Sillas paints in his San Clemente studio at Gallery 104 located at 166 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92674. He continues practicing law in Los Angeles at the Sillas Law Firm, writes a monthly column, "View from the Pier," in the San Clemente Sun Post, and contributes pieces to the Hispanic Link Syndication and the Language Magazine. Sillas presently is editing his new book, "View from the Pier" which is a collection of selected articles and paintings. He may be reached at Sillasla@aol.com, Herman Sillas Fine Arts (949) 498 6519, or The Sillas Law Firm (213) 362 1400 for commissioned work or more information.
THE CHICANO YEARS
As a young lawyer in the turbulent sixties, he became part of the L.A. Chicano movement. His 1965 painting, "The Mexican American," depicting the conflict of the two cultures within each Mexican American and the search for identity made front page of the EL MALCRIADO newspaper. Posters of this painting are still in demand. When teacher Sal Castro led 4000 Chicano students in the Los Angeles 1968 Walkouts and was indicted, Sillas served as his attorney. The appellate court declared the indictment infringed free speech and dismissed the indictment. Sillas and other Chicano lawyers founded The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). The Chicano Movement and Mexican muralists had a pronounced impact on Sillas’ painting. Traces of that influence are still found in his work today.
THE POLITICAL YEARS
In the seventies, Sillas became politically active and in 1975 he was appointed Director of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Jerry Brown. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed Sillas as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California. During this period he continued painting exploring different techniques. Following his stint in government, Sillas returned to private practice and became the managing partner of a state-wide law firm. He became a weekend painter.
THE RETURN TO ART
In 2004, the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) commissioned him to paint a piece for its annual conference. Encouraged by the request, he became a more active artist. The following year he entered his work, Fiesta/USA, at the San Clemente Art Association’s February 2005 Show. His painting was awarded "Show’s Best." LA’s Best, a Los Angeles Unified School District’s after-school program, immediately purchased 2,500 posters of this work.
The Mexican American Bar Association (MABA) commissioned Sillas to create a painting commerating its 50th anniversary for 2010. A limited number of giclee copies of the painting, "Our Journey" are now available for purchase. Check out the gallery for a view of this historical painting. From 2006 through 2009, each year MALDEF commissioned him to paint its art piece for the year. His efforts produced the historical view of MALDEF in "Young Warriors," the moving and powerful "Voices, Footsteps,and Dreams," thought provoking, "Latinos and MALDEF reshaping America" and controversial "Peace, Liberty and Justice for All." In his paintings, Sillas explores his roots and talent while calling on his experiences. He paints with heritqage sensitive eyes.
THE CONTINUAL SEARCH
Presently, Sillas paints in his San Clemente studio at Gallery 104 located at 166 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92674. He continues practicing law in Los Angeles at the Sillas Law Firm, writes a monthly column, "View from the Pier," in the San Clemente Sun Post, and contributes pieces to the Hispanic Link Syndication and the Language Magazine. Sillas presently is editing his new book, "View from the Pier" which is a collection of selected articles and paintings. He may be reached at Sillasla@aol.com, Herman Sillas Fine Arts (949) 498 6519, or The Sillas Law Firm (213) 362 1400 for commissioned work or more information.
