apuentes

Biography
Arnold Puentes was born in Silver City, New Mexico and spent his earliest childhood years in the nearby mining town of Santa Rita. He attended schools in Santa Ana, California and Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was first exposed to art at an early age by his father, and he credits his first art teacher and mentor in middle school for developing his passion for creating art. Arnold began his formal art training in high school. Awarded a Kiwanis scholarship to New Mexico State University, he undertook a painting major under the instruction of painter and muralist Ken Barrick, sculptor Ed Vega, and designer/painter Dr. Trini Lopez. In 1980 he traveled to Mexico City with the aid of a research grant to study methods, materials, and techniques of mural painting. He graduated from NMSU with a BFA in Painting in May 1981. After participating in various exhibitions in the Las Cruces area, in 1985 he relocated to Albuquerque, where he has been active in the local Hispanic art community and has since painted and produced several community/civic murals. In 1992, he organized the 3rd New Mexico Muralist Conference. His love for art has led him to study further at University of New Mexico under the instruction of various mixed-media artists. He is married to his love Iris, and he continues to paint and create art in his Albuquerque studio, and, producing murals on-site and for installation.