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 Mexican Americans 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 court ruled 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 was appointed Director of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Jerry Brown in 1975. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed Sillas as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California where he served until October 1980. During this period he continued painting exploring different techniques.
RETURN TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Following his stint in government, Sillas returned to private practice and became the managing partner of a state-wide law firm and a weekend painter. 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 his work, "Fiesta/USA" was awarded "Show's Best." at the San Clemente Art Association’s February 2005 Show. LA’s Best, a Los Angeles Unified School District’s after-school program, immediately purchased 2,500 posters of this work.
He has since been commissioned to do significant pieces by MALDEF ("Young Warriors," "Voices, Footsteps and Dreams," Latinos and MALDEF reshaping America" and "Peace, Liberty, and Justice") MABA ("Our Journey")and a mural for MAOF and LISTOAmerica (Nos Podemos). In his work, Sillas explores his roots and talent while calling on his experiences, making use of bold and bright colors. His paintings reflect a Latin cultural sensitve soul with an attorney's directness revealing messages understood by everyone.
THE CONTINUAL JOURNEY
Presently, Sillas maintains a busy law practice at his Law Office at 700 South Flower Suite 2450, Los Angeles, CA (213 362 1400), while painting commissioned pieces from his home studio,and writing his "View from the Pier" column generally based on his thoughts while fishing on the San Clemente Pier most morning weekends. He has been contributing writer to the San Clemente Sun Post, the Los Angeles Times, 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 or at Herman Sillas Fine Arts (949) 498 6519 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 Mexican Americans 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 court ruled 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 was appointed Director of California’s Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Jerry Brown in 1975. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed Sillas as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California where he served until October 1980. During this period he continued painting exploring different techniques.
RETURN TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Following his stint in government, Sillas returned to private practice and became the managing partner of a state-wide law firm and a weekend painter. 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 his work, "Fiesta/USA" was awarded "Show's Best." at the San Clemente Art Association’s February 2005 Show. LA’s Best, a Los Angeles Unified School District’s after-school program, immediately purchased 2,500 posters of this work.
He has since been commissioned to do significant pieces by MALDEF ("Young Warriors," "Voices, Footsteps and Dreams," Latinos and MALDEF reshaping America" and "Peace, Liberty, and Justice") MABA ("Our Journey")and a mural for MAOF and LISTOAmerica (Nos Podemos). In his work, Sillas explores his roots and talent while calling on his experiences, making use of bold and bright colors. His paintings reflect a Latin cultural sensitve soul with an attorney's directness revealing messages understood by everyone.
THE CONTINUAL JOURNEY
Presently, Sillas maintains a busy law practice at his Law Office at 700 South Flower Suite 2450, Los Angeles, CA (213 362 1400), while painting commissioned pieces from his home studio,and writing his "View from the Pier" column generally based on his thoughts while fishing on the San Clemente Pier most morning weekends. He has been contributing writer to the San Clemente Sun Post, the Los Angeles Times, 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 or at Herman Sillas Fine Arts (949) 498 6519 for commissioned work or more information.
