Dates Nov 22-Dec 27, 2025
Artist Reception –
December 6th, 3pm-5pm
Artist talk – ​4pm

Larry Portillo’s artistic talent was recognized when in High School.  His Master teacher Steve Edwards discovered that he had talent for the art scene placing first place in various art shows.  Edwards taught Larry; etching, how to use watercolors and acrylic paint in his art.  Larry was introduced to airbrushing by James Wagner.  His first major art break came in 1991 when Leo Tanguma, a Colorado artist hired him to assist in painting a mural in the New Mexico Art Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  From Tanguma, he learned how to paint larger than life portraits.  Larry also became educated of the use of varied painting techniques and sculpting from well-known artist Luis Jimenez.

Portillo moved to San Antonio in the late 1990s, where he found new opportunities to share his art and connect with a broader community. He has exhibited in renowned local spaces such as Joe Lopez’s Gallista Galley,  St. Phillip’s College,  Our Lady of the Lake University,  University of Houston [Downtown], and more recently at the Museo de Arte in Queretaro where his paintings of urban San Antonio glow with warmth, humor, and nostalgia.

Larry Portillo is a San Antonio-based visual artist whose vibrant, color-rich paintings reflect a lifelong connection to art, culture, and community. A native of Chamberino, New Mexico, Portillo developed his passion for painting at an early age.  His art has been featured in the Bilingual Press publication, Triumph of our Community: Four Decades of Mexican American Art,  Latinos in America [Substack], La Prensa Texas, and Latinopia.  Though largely self-taught, his artistic journey has been shaped by formative experiences, personal sacrifice, and a commitment to creative expression rooted in the everyday world.

Portillos work draws deeply from his Mexican-American heritage, Southwest landscapes, and the people and places around him. His paintings often showcase familiar scenes with emotional resonance—San Antonio’s Riverwalk at night, a Southtown taco truck under a swirling sky, or local landmarks like the Tower Life Building and the Alamo. Viewers are drawn to the glow of his primary color palette, layered brushstrokes, and Van Gogh-inspired skies, where thick swirls and bold textures add dimension to city streets and quiet corners alike.

Portillo’s career is a testament to the role of perseverance and passion in the life of an artist. For decades, he has worked professionally as an art framer, a “day job” that keeps him close to the art world and surrounded by materials, artists, and inspiration. This dual life—as both craftsman and creator—echoes themes explored in the Blanton Museum of Art’s Day Jobs exhibit, where Portillo’s story aligns with many American artists who balance commercial work with personal practice.

Larry’s artistic development was catalyzed by early mentors, including a high school teacher who introduced him to Chicano artist Luis Jimenez, and by hands-on experiences such as painting a mural at the New Mexico Art Museum in Santa Fe under the guidance of muralist Leo Tanguma. These experiences helped Portillo grow into a confident artist whose works have been shown in galleries across El Paso, San Antonio, and beyond.