MEMBER PROFILE - Angel Fabela
By Paula Pearce

Introduction: Today, June 17th, we had our Ragle Park paint out. I have been wanting to ask Angel if he would be my interview candidate for several months now. Today it came together. He consented to a phone interview this evening and I am so excited about this because it was fascinating to learn more about Angel as an artist.
Question: So Angel, what was it in your life that led you to be the artist you are today?
Angel: I have always wanted to be an artist ever since grammar school. I am the 5th child of 15 siblings and my mother always described me as the artist of the family. That motivated me probably more than anything else.
Question: What drives you to be so prolific as a plein air artist?
Angel: I just love being outdoors. After retirement, and living and working in San Francisco my whole life, I yearned to be in the country. That is why we picked Healdsburg for our "golden years"!
Question: Do you do studio work at all?
Angel: No, I don't have a studio. I may tweak a painting once I have it at home. But usually, I don't look at my work freshly done. I put it away for 2 or 3 weeks and then bring it out. If I really like it, I will sign it. If not, it stays in the pile. I never make reproductions of my originals.
Question: Did you have any formal art training as a young man?
Angel: Yes, I earned a one year scholarship to Arts & Crafts in Oakland. We couldn't afford the next three years. Our family wasvery poor.
Question: What did you do for your livelihood?
Angel: I owned and ran my own cabinet shop on Irving Street in San Francisco. I was also a maintenance supervisor for a 108 condo complex in Pacifica. I could fix anything! I don't do that any more.
Question: When you were at Arts & Crafts, what was your preferred medium?
Angel: I worked primarily with acrylics. Then Judy Butler suggested I work in oils. I was scared to death. I then took workshops from four major local artists: Tim Horn, J.Thomas Soltesz, Paul Kratter and Jeanette LeGrue. I recommend them highly.
Question: What is your goal for your artistic future?
Angel: I would like to in more galleries and would love to be accepted and voted into the California Art Club which is the most prestigious art club in California.
Question: How did you find out about AWS?
Angel: It was through Judy Butler and some other Monday Morning Painters. I have been a member for five years and I chaired the Apple Blossom Show for 2007 & 2008.
Conclusion: Thank you Angel for your candid honesty and delightful interview process. It was great to finally have a chance to interview you for our AWS newsletter. I look forward to seeing the painting you did today out at Ragle Park. I hope that you will bring it to the July AWS meeting..