During the past two weeks I have been coming to terms with the passing of a mentor and friend. Shortly after moving to Xalapa, Veracruz in 1999 I had the good fortune of meeting José Chan, a visual artist who made an indelible impression on me. I hadn't heard of him until then and we met thanks to the fact that he saw some of my postcards in the doctor's office where my former wife was a receptionist. Chan left his card and we got in touch soon after. On the first visit to his house and studio I had the impression of visiting a private museum. There was no doubt I was in the presence of an artist with a very deep an personal story that unfolded in his linoleum prints and painting. During the next 18 years I was enthralled by the stories of his childhood growing up in Palenque, when the jungle and its mysteries, waited a hop skip and a jump from his doorstep, and I witnessed the unfolding of his imagination. As time permits I will share images of his work and memories of my friendship with "Chan", as he was affectionately called.
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