| Food for Body and Soul |
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 ‘Can I Get You a Mosaic with that Burrito, Sir?’
El Taco Asado “It’s amazing,” said Camarena, “the art adds so much.”  Customers relaxed, and the atmosphere was festive and friendly at the restaurant located at 440 S. El Cielo, #19 &20 on Friday, June 4, as Jennifer Johnson and her group of multimedia talented artists, Los Amigos, met to celebrate the installation of their most recent challenge: interpret the many aspects of Mexican cuisine. Their transformation of restaurant into restaurant/gallery had gone smoothly the night before, and now the group met to celebrate and enjoy Camarena’s fabulous food, surrounded by their varied works. All are available for purchase and commissions are accepted by the artists. The exhibit will be in place until June 31.Johnson is an internationally known artist, whose “Fountain of Life” in front of City Hall offices in Cathedral City is a landmark, a place where all can gather and experience the integration of the movement of water within an artistic perspective. Johnson has studied in Italy and Mexico, but is mainly self-taught. A few years ago, friends convinced her to begin workshops for area artists, and Los Amigos began. “I am so glad that I started the studio, because so many individuals with immense talent have emerged in their own right,” she commented. According to participant Stacie Khouri, an interior designer, Johnson’s workshops allow students to get into the flow, “often, time passes without us realizing it — we are so focused on the creative process.”  The results are stunning: “El Muerto bebe y come con mucho gusto”, a mosaic by local artist Clara Nelson, depicts a sombreroed skeletal figure gaily holding a Dos Equis in one hand, the flowing beer running down the front of his spine. His other hand grasps a taco.Paper weavings created by Jerry Hanson pack the space with dimension and color. To create his pieces, Hanson gathered unused food ads from stores and cut them precisely to create uniformity and color contrast; the recycling was an added plus! “Aurora en el Mercado” by Jennifer Johnson depicts a woman balancing corn, pineapple and melon atop her head, while displaying a fish ready to be served on a platter. The variety of art includes photography by Hunter Johnson, whose lens captured south-of-the border markets and restaurant fare. The photographs take you into the moment, imagining the bustle of the market, the strumming of guitars, and the sound of glasses clinking.  Other outstanding pieces include “Papaya Sensual” by Stacie Khouri, with the fruit so realistic it fairly jumps off the wall! And if it weren’t for the reliably prompt service at El Taco Asado, Karen Riley’s “Tacos” could have been at risk for consumption from hungry diners , even though they are made of clay. Popping out at you from the corner is Arlene Dulaney’s “Senorita Pescadita,” a lime-green fish made lively by playful use of color. Shrimp and limes are suspended in space in the brilliant painting “Rosas y Camarones” by Wyatt Johnson. Rosemary Flaherty’s “Naranjas y Limones en mundo marvellioso” almost requires sunglasses for appropriate viewing, they’re so bright. A frosty margarita mosaic by Nedra Young boldly invites us to refresh ourselves, and Dona Lee’s scrumptious–looking acrylic painting, “Camarones” sets the plate against the colors of the Mexican flag. Near a doorway, two blazingly red chilies sinuously entwine in a heart shape to form “Corazon Caliente” by Dee Dee Barton.It was a natural for Johnson to come up with the idea of situating some of her students’ work in the restaurant, after all, according to Camarena, “they’ve been coming here for years!”  The restaurant is at the crossroads of Palm Springs, and has a varied clientele, perfect for Johnson’s intentions of reaching out with art. So, if you’re hungry for great Mexican food, and crave to experience the art of seriously talented artists along with it, El Taco Asado is your destination.For more photos of El Taco Asado and its artwork, click here.
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