Artist's adaptation pure 'genius'

Mention the name "German" in the Art Building and one will immediately hear nothing but praise.

German Vazquez, 19, is an art major who specializes in pottery and sculpture.

"He's got incredible talent and dedication," fellow art major C. E. Small said. "He's our idol."

Vazquez's interest in art was sparked early on, due in part to the number of artists in his family.

Most of them were painters on his mother's side, to whom art was a way of life.

"Ever since I was 5, I was interested in free hand. I did drawing until high school, and then I also picked up silk screen," Vazquez said.

Yet it wasn't until he arrived at Contra Costa College in 2006, that his passion for art became a full-fledged flame. There he met art department Chairman Richard Akers, who immediately saw potential in Vazquez.

"German is a mild-mannered genius. He definitely has true vision and the skills to match," Akers said. "He's one of my best students."

Although for years he had been mostly into drawing, Vazquez decided to try his hand at sculpture.

"I'd never done ceramics before," he said, "but after my first semester here, I found clay to be my main medium."

In his sculptures, Vazquez manages to incorporate a great deal of detail, including human facial expressions and emotions.

"He's very into details, and he appreciates complexity," Akers said.

Vazquez said his art revolves around "what it means to be human."

He takes inspiration from multiple sources, including graphic artists, Middle Eastern art, Buddhism and even the people in his classes.

"The faces show a lot of emotion, but they're also like parts of machines," he said.

Vazquez also enjoys incorporating the use of the third eye in his sculptures.

"German is a good classmate and a positive person, very easy going. You can ask his opinion on anything," freshman Ariana Danino said. "He makes wonderful pieces that are exquisite and detailed."

Vazquez has not yet entered any of his work in shows or galleries, as he says he is still working on his basic skills.

Despite being praised as a talented artist, Vazquez remains modest and does not claim to be better than anyone else.

He even attributes some of his skill to his mentor, Akers.

"Richard said to me, 'You've got a lot of talent and so I'm going to push you forward,'" Vazquez said. "I don't think I'd be at the level I'm at if it weren't for Richard.

"I collaborated with him on a piece that sold at last summer's art fair. I've been like his apprentice," he said.

Vazquez is well-known around the art building among his peers.

Among his most notable qualities are his helpfulness and willingness to help others.

"He's always willing to help you out," art student Kate Freeman said. "When I was struggling, he just showed up and was like 'I can help you with that.'

"I didn't even have to ask, he just knew what to do," she said.

Regarding his fellow art students, Vazquez refers to them as a "big family."

"There's good communication," he said. "I enjoy helping the beginners, and learning from the more advanced students.

"I enjoy sharing what I know," Vazquez said. "But everyone in class has good ideas."

In fact, this interaction with others is what led Vazquez to decide to pursue a future career as an art teacher, preferably at the high school level, then eventually at the college level.

Before realizing that art was his true passion, he had been a science major.

In a few years' time, Vazquez hopes to transfer to either San Francisco State or a private art school.

"My main goal right now is building a really good portfolio - getting pictures of my work so I can submit them in a couple of years," he said.

Until then, he plans to remain at CCC to complete his general education, as well as to continue developing his skills in art.

Vazquez said, "It was here that I discovered what I wanted to do with my life."

Contact Lauren Shiraishi a lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com.