By Nérida Cruz-Vélez | Latino Passport

Don Quixote III by artist Obed Gómez, features in the cover of this first issue of Latino Passport. The painting, done in acrylic on canvas, shows a wide-eyed figure of the insane knight, resolutely clutching a heavy metal lance, ready to attack the approaching "giants": a couple of windmills at a distance. We know that somewhere in the background, Sancho, the crazed knight's counter-ego, must be praying for his sanity. The painting is one of a series of seven, created by Gómez in the past few years.

Obed Gómez was born in Puerto Rico in the mid sixties. It was his beloved grandmother who first discovered his drawing abilities, and she joyously predicted that someday the child would create beautiful artwork. The painter enjoyed the art classes that followed but resented and resisted the restrictions placed upon his creativity in the classroom. Nevertheless, because of his clearly defined goals to be an artist and the value of his own mother placed on education, Obed went on to pursue a career which he completed in 1990. "It was a terrible time for me. I had a lot of dreams, and I couldn't see how certain subjects related to my advancement," the artist comments about his formal education.

Gómez relocated in Florida in 1995 hoping to find work as an animator with Disney. This was not to be, and he had to seek employment elsewhere. Jobs were scarce and wages were low. It was around this time that Gómez began to paint seriously. A year later the Orlando Community began to notice and pay attention to what the artist was trying to accomplish. Opportunities came his way and a few doors began to open. His artwork was mostly sought by publishing companies for magazine and book covers or as brochures for Puerto Rican Parades and other business associations. However, it was a welcome beginning. Inevitably, the exhibits followed, and Gómez knew that painting was his true calling.

As with many artists away from their homeland, Obed felt that he had a responsibility to a growing number of followers who looked to his work as a connection with their culture. Away from home nostalgia sets in, and a painting can make a person cry or laugh in recognition of elements that he or she holds dear. The artist himself is subject to the homesickness and inevitably his brush begins to transmit his feelings. In this crossroad of nostalgia away from home, the artist found his subject and the recognition of many who felt like him and thus understood his artwork.

Gómez is an artist with religious convictions, a faith also encountered away from his homeland. So it is with a sense of awe and a prayer to his Creator that he approaches the empty canvas, sometimes at 3:00 in the morning before leaving for Lake Mary at 7:00AM where he works as a graphic designer. Through his artwork the artist wants to convey a sense of peace and beauty and a quiet solitude which he accomplishes in works like Danza de Enamorados (Lovers' Dance) and Dulce Melón (Sweet Melon); on the other hand, through his vibrant use of colors, Gómez depicts movement and a passion for life captured in the essence of works like , Al ritmo de mi tierra and Soul of a Dancer.

Although one of Obed's goals is to pursue his passion for painting on a full time basis, at the moment he still holds a part-time job. Efforts like an on line business, www.ObedArt.com , through which he sells his art have helped tremendously. He has also converted his Orlando home into a studio where all the art related work is done, but his dream of dedicating his full day to painting has yet to materialize. However, the artist is an optimist and feels that his day will come eventually.

Some of Obed's private collectors are Florida's First Lady, Columba Bush, Sila Calderón, former governor of Puerto Rico, Carlos & Elsie Burruezo, an Orlando Labor Lawyer from the Fisher & Phillips firm and the internationally known golfer, Ernie Els. His artwork was selected by Hollywood's set designer, Lance Lombardo, for season 4 of Lifetime Network's program, "The Division," in January 2004.

Obed has exhibited his artwork at Sea World Orlando, Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, The Orlando Museum of Art, The Brevard Museum of Art and Science and Galería Latina in England. Several universities have also showcased his artwork.

Recently, the artist finished illustrating a book for children for the University of Houston by Samuel Caraballo. Mis papitos, Heroes de la Cosecha, will be released by the end of the year.

In 2002, the United Third Bridge Educational and Cultural Association of Melbourne, Florida, chose Obed Gómez to be the National Godfather of the Arts for his philanthropic work. Obed has been a mentor to middle school students in Clermont, Florida and at the Adolescent Therapeutic Center in Orlando.

In 2004, The Art Business Magazine of New York featured Obed's artwork on their March cover story. In the same year the artist was nominated for the prestigious Paoli Awards.

Obed is currently represented by Lyssa Morgan Gallery in Tampa, Florida and is scheduled for a one-man show in November of 2005. He will also be part of a group exhibit at the Museum of the Americas in Miami in August of this year.

Please click here to enjoy more of Obed's art. »