LEADING THE CABO ART SCENE
When the “Influential Leaders in Cabo/Mexico”subject of this issue was announced by our esteemed publisher/editor, I knew right away that this was my opportunity to write about a person I believe has remarkable leadership qualities. In fact, artist Chris MacClure has the quintessential personality traits that define a leader. Notwithstanding the fact that he is my friend and partner, anyone who knows him would concur that he is the archetype of leader.
A painter for over 35 years, this self-motivating pursuit has given him a quiet assurance. Being an artist is a survivalist profession. You either make it or you give it up for easier money. It's one thing to paint a picture, quite another to sell it to pay your rent. It's the first years in the professional artists' life that gives expression to the saying “starving artist”. These are the years that test the true resolve of an aspiring artist and it can take many years to develop your art to a place where there is commercial value enough to appeal to the world at large. In this regard, MacClure came out the other side stronger than when he began. Chris' natural strengths of character were honed over these learning years and because he was resilient, resourceful and astute, he recognized early on that an artist needs to “pay their dues” for the privilege of being able to survive in the art game. Thanks to a delightful down-home humor however, there's a wonderful compassion that oozes from him like filtered light. It takes “being there” yourself to understand the road that others travel. A video crew came to Cabo to document his life as an artist and he was quoted as saying “An artist can go to art school and learn some techniques but it's actually living the life of an artist that gives you the direction your art will take and makes of you - the artist”.
Timing and luck are tools of the gods and when MacClure landed in Cabo in the early 90's, his strong instinct gave him a vision that he would work on diligently until it's fruition. Leadership is a natural-born quality. Some people can rise to the occasion, still others are born to lead. Chris' background from the Maritimes on the east coast taught him that hard work, steadfastness and tenacity pays off. However, he always likes to say “you'll never get success without a little help from your friends”.
An epiphany came sitting on the beach at Costa Azul in San Jose in '92, Chris' vision for a
studio/gallery became a reality when the sun set behind him and the last rays of the sun were lighting
up a solitary cactus on the hill. The cactus was illumed with a golden hue and right there his Golden
Cactus Gallery was born.
Although art is by it's nature is a solitary pursuit, MacClure always had a cadre of artist friends of like mind and throughout his career, he was always organizing shows, events and fund-raisers to help promote art in any way he could. When MacClure decided that Los Cabos was “the” place to begin a new venture, he knew he would not make it without a little help from his friends. The potential for tourism at that time was just hitting it's second wave and he knew that the special feeling Cabo offered and it's spectacular beauty would soon bring the world to it's door. Artists have a sixth sense about these things and always the mainstream follows them.
The paperwork required to open a business in Mexico is daunting. Setting up a gallery in a foreign country, without speaking the language and having only the rudimentary materials available; (because at that time there was no Home Depot and any of the few hardware stores were usually understocked and waiting for the next shipment), was anything but a cake walk. Chris overcame all that and more with humor and a doggedness beyond belief, he opened the studio in Oct. '97 and he knew it wouldn't be long before other artists would come knocking at the door. The “if you build it they will come” philosophy that he always lived by, even before it was a popular slogan.
A leader has the ability to see greatness in others. MacClure has an innate ability to see the talent and potential in other artists and he is always willing to help them fulfill their dreams, if he can. When Mexican artists Fernando Tames and Enrique Ortega came to the gallery shortly after he opened, Chris knew that these were two professional artists that would work well in the gallery. Within a couple of years, the gallery attracted some of Chris' other artist friends from Canada and the States. Even with busy professional lives in the art and print industry, all of them make the pilgrimage to Cabo for extended periods. Artists work where ever they are and Cabo is better than most places. Because of Chris' vision and ability to inspire others, everyone benefits and he believes that the gallery is strong because of it's artists and the mutual respect they have for each other.
Leadership requires inspiration and the ability to work for the whole picture, rather than its' parts. MacClure has an amazing ability to motivate and bring out the best in those he choses to work whether he's teaching, being the “boss” or working with the business community here in Los Cabos.
Even when engrossed in the daily chores of running the “gallery business” he never loses the creative drive that sends him to the easel to paint what inspires him most, the people and landscapes of the Baja. His paintings reflect his zen-like approach to his life: quiet, unassuming, uncluttered yet poignant and peaceful. Sometimes inspiration can be so right on that just one of his defining paintings, like the Hotel California, can speak volumes to a whole generation.
In any case, don 't just take my word for it, visit Chris at the Golden Cactus Gallery and see for yourself. He's usually there 7 days a week, second floor on the corner of Guerrero and Madero in old town Cabo San Lucas. As a wise sage once said, “you can't tell the measure of a person until you see what they create for the world.”
Oct. 25th is International Artist Day, it's Picassos' Birthday and celebrates the contribution artists have made throughout history. You can celebrate in many ways: visit a gallery or artist studio, take an artist to lunch, attend an art show or participate in any way that helps give homage to artists worldwide. Check out the website for more ideas www.internationalartistsday.com