In a blurb, he was a portrait painter, called, "El Maestro" or "El Retratista" in the art-circle of Lima/Perú. He was director of the National Autonomous School of Fine Arts of Perú in Lima (Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes del Perú) from 1990-1994. During that time, he introduced new computer labs, improved the working conditions of the talleres (labs), and improved the artistic and academic standards of the school. He had worked at the School of Fine Arts as a professor, later on as a head professor, and head of talleres for over 30 years.
On a personal level, he overcame many obstacles, raised a loving family--for which he was a great role model, and a fine caballero. He passed away early Monday morning at 78 years of age. He will be missed and always loved.
I spent some time taking care of legal matters with my grandmother and during our taxi rides to and from different court houses and municipalidades, I got a tease of what Lima is becoming ... the new governor has done a lot for the city -- like putting grass/trees in the otherwise barren streets of Lima, placed new and much needed traffic lights, etc., etc. It was good to see my family. I only wish it had not been under these conditions and without my abuelito. But those who have family abroad and have bills to pay, understand that it gets pretty expensive to fly to South America with much frequency.
It was also quite good to be able to eat our amazing food, say "chau", and indiscriminately salute each other with besitos.
Well, that's it. I guess it's back to Ann Arbor and making up missed school work for now ...
J. Alberto Tello Montalvo
(02-29-1928 -- 11-06-2006)
(photo by Luis Incháustegui Torres)
