Itinerant artist Erwin Scherzer Garza has been temporarily living the settled life since he began work in earnest on the 19th-century La Rotonda Hotel, on Liceo street a half-block north of downtown Guadalajara’s famed monument, the Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Jalisco Citizens).
Scherzer, born in Queretaro, began in early 2013 to paint the interior of the hotel with work of his own creation, as well as copies of classic paintings, such as “Allegory of Spring” by Sandro Botticelli and an equestrian portrait by Diego Velázquez. He plans to work at the hotel three days a week for three more years, filling all of its patios, hallways and 32 guest rooms.
But this type of settled existence is something of an anomaly for Scherzer, who is noted as a street artist. On days when he is not at La Rotonda Hotel, he can be found at work a few blocks away on a downtown sidewalk executing pastels. Due to its delicate nature, he refers to this sidewalk work, subject to the elements and foot traffic, as arte ephemero (ephemeral art).
“People keep my paintings in their heads,” he says, noting that they also make donations, which support him and his helper, Marcela Luna.
Most of Scherzer’s street paintings are reproductions and some are in the playful tradition of trompe-l’œil, French for “deceive the eye.” The latter use super-realistic 3-D or illusionary subject matter that deceives the viewer. One of Scherzer’s, for example, depicts a “canal” in the sidewalk from which a crocodile menaces a childlike character.
The artist says that he is “100-percent self taught,” yet he displays a thorough knowledge of art history when he notes that his sidewalk creations are also in the tradition of the Italian madonnari, itinerant Italian laborers who became street artists after their work on the great 16th century cathedrals ended.
Scherzer says that he only knows of three artists in Mexico who support themselves as he does. He keeps abreast of the world of such painters and says he has traveled throughout Mexico and to Europe to participate in street art festivals and competitions.
Visitors can stop by Calle Colon to watch and chat. When asked his favorite type of work, hotel or street, Scherzer answers diplomatically, “The one I’m working on at the moment.” He obviously doesn’t mind being observed, saying that he likes to talk to people while he labors.
The agile 47-year-old painter had been supporting himself and Luna for nine years executing the pastel paintings on downtown sidewalks, when La Rotonda owner Ernesto Silva, saw him at work, befriended him and invited him to undertake decorating the hotel.
The management permits visitors to enter the hotel and watch him at work, Scherzer notes, even though he is not as visible there as on the street.
“La Rotonda is going to be recognized throughout the world for the paintings,” the artist predicts.
Hotel La Rotonda, Liceo 130 between Juan Manuel and Independencia, in downtown Guadalajara, a half-block north of Rotonda de los Jaliscienses Ilustres. Telephones (33) 3614-1017 and 3658-0224. Scherzer usually works at the hotel Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. He works Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Colon between Lopez Cotilla and Juarez.