Emmanuel Sevilla

I’m a first generation Mexican-American, born and raised in Los Angeles. I identity with the hyphen, neither here nor there, not quite Mexican or American enough. Too progressive in the eyes of traditionalists. I have more faith in the barter system than in capitalism. I’m a fine artist, painter and sign maker, now living and working in San Francisco. I received my MFA from California College of the Arts, BFA from Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Sign Graphics graduate, and Friends of Calligraphy member. I’m a commercial sign maker by day, and hand-lettering/sign painting instructor by night.

My family is from Jalisco, Guadalajara, in a small town called Cocula, “de Cocula es el mariachi” (the birthplace of the mariachi.) I’m not sure if that’s why my brothers and I are all musicians. I do know that I’ve been influenced to work hard, respect my neighbors, leave things better than I received them, love and be loyal to my wife because of them.

My love for letters is an appreciation for humankind, no one person invented the alphabet, and we just contribute our individuality. Our writing on the wall only exists because of this gift that we inherited.