Interview with Jaime Sánchez, Artist/Muralist from Watsonville, CA

by Olga Rosales Salinas

First, Jaime, thank you so much for your time and your art. My sisters and I couldn't be more excited for you to share your story with us.

Jaime Sánchez grew up in Watsonville and was class of 1998 at Aptos High like me. Featuring his art at The Rosales Sisters' Scholarship Silent Auction (April 2021) is both an honor and a privilege. Sánchez is a prominent artist, muralist, and activist who works to better the Watsonville community every day. He recently received a CARES Act grant award from the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley to raise awareness about COVID prevention and empower people to use proactive measures against it. We are fortunate to have him!

About

Jaime Sánchez was born and raised in Watsonville. His parents, Gomercindo and Esperanza Sánchez are from Manalisco and Mezcala, Jalisco, Mexico. Sánchez served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and received an undergraduate degree in visual and public art from California State University, Monterey Bay. He has been practicing art for 22 years; it is featured in and around several murals in the Pajaro Valley region and online at @jaimesanchezpresents.

Sánchez, with panels from his work titled "Loaves and Fishes" mural.

Interview with Sánchez

On your website, Animo Arte, you describe the creative process as an exploration into the ultimate question: process for what? Can you tell us about the deep dive you take into answering that question when you approach a canvas?