Herbert Hafif Art Collection
   

When asked about the current trajectory of his career Francisco Velasco's grin forecast his answer." There is a secret museum in Claremont, California where wall space and floor space are more precious even that the Metropolitan or the Vatican Museum. I just made the wall says Velasco, joining five great artists such as the late great sculptor Albert Stewart , Cuba's most famous living artist Eduardo "Choco" who is the only foreign artist to ever win the first prize in Japan, Japan's national paintings competition ; Sam Maloof, whose sculpted wood works grace twenty Museums including the Vatican Museum and the Smithosonian. I t is a thrill to share space with such a selected few."

The secret museum that Francisco Velasco is speaking of, is a Claremont bank owned by philanthropist and Art collector Hebert Hafif. A huge 300 square foot mural by California art pioneer Millard Sheets blends backgrounds with the Stewart sculptures, the Maloof works, as well a large collection of Susan Hertel paintings whose recent untimely death, stopped her career just after being discovered by collectors such as Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand

Hafif discovered Hertel twenty years before she gained national recognition. " Francisco is worthy of this company which is why I've comissioned Velasco paintings for our banks, our Mexican home, hilltop home and law offices."

Velasco caugth Hafif's attention while Hafif and his wife were in Mexico. Velasco was pointing out the Hafif house, which is situated in a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean . Velasco states that "Herb Hafif's Mexican house is the jewel of the Baja coast. When I found out he had designed it himself, I was more than surprised. I'd thougth of him only as a very famous trial lawyer, not an architect, designer, sculptor and art collector. All of which brings a common taste and reciprocal admiration which makes working with him very gratifying." He sets an artistic vision for his commissined works and give the artist full freedom to fulfill it."

The Chilean native whose Chilean home was an art haven for painters and great writers now is exploring galleries troughout the U.S and Latin America. "I started as an apprentice of my renowned artist mother " says Velasco. " The public thinks of me as a 57 years old overnigth success, but for me it's always been the art. That hasn't changed wheter the project is a mural or a painting. You do your best and remain true to your work. Lo importante en la vida no es lo material."

Francisco Velasco grew up in the world of art, his exodus from Chile required a twenty eigth year detour as an engineer and now he is back to his roots and his passion : art and painting. "We are thrilled to have a painter of his caliber to join the Herbert Hafif Art Collection," says Kay Hafif. "Herb has an eye for talent. He is almost always rigth as to the future of artists."

"Dreaming of her 2"  2002
Acrylic on canvas  36" x 48"
Collection Mr.Herbert Hafif