Herman Sillas' art talent was recognized early when he won first prize in a 1947 Los Angeles City Unified School District poster contest. Then at fifteen, he was accepted at the prestigious Otis Art Institute of Los Angeles. The following year, Otis Art Institute awarded him a scholarship. But upon graduating from highschool, he placed his art on hold to attend UCLA and pursue a law career.

THE CHICANO YEARS

As a young man, in the turbulent sixties, he became part of the L.A. Chicano movement both as a lawyer and artist. His 1965 painting, "The Mexican American," depicting the conflict of two cultures within Mexican Americans and their search for identity made front page of the EL MALCRIADO newspaper. Posters of this painting are still in demand. When teacher Sal Castro was indicted for leading 4000 Chicano students in the Los Angeles 1968 Walkouts, Sillas served as his attorney. The indictment was ultimately declared unconstitutional. During this period, Sillas and other Southwest Chicano lawyers founded The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). He served as its First Vice President. The sixties 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 active in California politics as a state-wide candidate. Following his loss, he was elected Secretary to the California Democratic Party. In 1975, he was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown as Director of California's Department of Motor Vehicles. Two years later, President Jimmy Carter appointed Sillas as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California. During this period he continued to paint and explored different techniques. Following his stint in government, Sillas returned to private practice and became a partner in a state-wide law firm representing government entities in the court and in the halls of government. He remained a weekend painter.

THE RETURN TO ART

In 2004, the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) commissioned him to paint its poster for its annual conference. Encouraged by the request, he focused on becoming a more active artist. The following year he entered his work, Fiesta/USA, at the San Clemente Art Association's February 2005 Show. The painting of Latinos celebrating in a park 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 original had been bought while he was painting it.

In 2006, MALDEF commissioned him to paint the "Young Warriors," which was used in all of MALDEF's printed material for the year. Again, in 2007, MALDEF requested Sillas to paint another work. He responded with the moving and powerful painting, "Voices, Footsteps, and Dreams." In his paintings, Sillas explores his roots and talent while calling on his experiences. Renowned Mexican muralist Armando Campero opined, "Sillas' work reflects experience through heritage conscious eyes."

THE RENAISSANCE MAN

Presently, Sillas paints in his studio at West Edge Gallery, 420 North Camino Real, San Clemente, where his work is on display. He continues practicing law in Los Angeles, while finding time to write a monthly column, "View from the Pier," in the San Clemente Sun Post, and write for other nation-wide publications such as the Hispanic Link Syndication and the Language Magazine. He has authored two novels, one which is being considered for a movie by a renowned producer. Sillas is editing his new book, a collection of his articles and paintings. Between speaking engagements, he finds time to fish on the San Clemente Pier and chat with pier pals. He may be reached at Sillasla@aol.com, Herman Sillas Fine Arts (949) 498 6519, or The Sillas Law Firm (213) 362 1400.