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Local
Feature
Kingsburg:
A Hotbed of Entrepeneurs
A
one on one interview with
T he Peanuts Gang Animator
words
by Jolene Polyack
Rick
Alonzo :: Artist
In 1986 Rick Alonzo’s job consisted of working
with the Break the Barriers organization, one
of his duties was to perform marshal arts and
gymnastics at their various functions. But in
1992 Rick realized his life had another purpose.
He began his solo performing career when he painted
an angel at Bullard High School at the Christmas
performance. That painting was donated to Break
the Barriers and ever since then he felt he was
getting ready to be launched. He quit his job
and began performing in Mexico through a friend
who was a youth pastor at a church in that country.
One thing led to another. He began performing
at youth and pastoral conferences, which allowed
for additional bookings, and it kept growing from
there.
Rick
creates his “product” on stage. Often,
he will donate the paintings to the local charity
who invited him to perform. To date, he has sold
paintings for up to $6,000, created over 10,000
paintings and performed at approximately 700 events!
Recently,
Rick was asked by Edward’s Theater in Fresno
to paint Superman as entertainment for patrons
waiting to watch the new Superman Returns movie
over the opening weekend. He said “People
were fascinated. There were all of these phones
pointed at me and we realized that people were
taking pictures and sending them to friends as
far away as Bakersfield. By the end of the weekend
people were traveling to Edwards to watch me paint.
While I love to do the inspirational performances
my true calling is to tell people about Jesus
Christ. After I would finish a Superman painting
I would talk about the only real superhero. Some
people turned away but many, many stayed and listened.
It was incredible.”
Rick
believes each person is specially created and
has a specific purpose. Many people have the gift
of art but might not know how to use it or how
to express their talent. He is currently looking
for a storefront in Kingsburg so he can teach
children to create art that comes from within.
Rick can be reached through his web site at www.rickalonzo.org.
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