Chespirito

In memory of beloved Mexican screenwriter, actor, comedian, film director, television director, playwright, songwriter, and author Roberto Gómez Bolaños aka Chespirito. He will live forever in our hearts through the iconic characters he created and portrayed: El Chavo del Ocho, El Chapulin Colorado, La Chilindrina, Kiko.

Chespirito died Nov 28, 2014 of heart failure in Cancún, Quintana Roo, he was 85 years old.

I find myself being inspired by the iconic, classic characters created by the Mexican writer and actor Roberto Gómez Bolaños. In 2012, I decided to paint "El Chapulin Colorado", but with a twist (with the face of Barack Obama), suggesting that even the president of the United States is a fan of the Latino (somewhat goofy) underdog and hero of the working class for Spanish-Speaking countries (as well, perhaps, as for countries that feature and translate these television and on-line programs). For the painting "app 2 gain Latino fans 2", I decided to visit "El Chavo Del Ocho" but, again, with a twist... this time, I decided to put onto the face the grinning expression of Hillary Rodham Clinton as a sort of hero for the everyday person.

"El Chapulin Colorado", "El Chavo Del Ocho", "La Chilindrina", "Quico", "Don Ramon", and several other characters, are part of the "popular" comedy (for the masses, of course) brainchild of the legendary writer and actor Roberto Gómez Bolaños, better known as "Chespirito". I am fascinated by the comic, "pop" (and this, to me, as a visual artist, means especially the colors used for the outfits and stage-sets), trans-generational, cross-cultural-economic-socio-political appeal of "Chespirito's" genius and am therefore interested in visiting their "vecindad" (neighborhood) from time to time.... This "timeless" program and emblem of Latino culture represents, more than anything else, pure and absolute nostalgia for me. I plan on creating other paintings associated with Chespirito... Enjoy!

Remembering Chespirito

My Paintings

Chespirito

actor comedian Chespirito taking a break while partially dressed as el chapulin colorado
"app 4 continuums 3"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2013 Gabriel Navar

El Chapulin Colorado

US President Barack Obama as Chespirito's character El Chapulin Colorado
"app 2 gain Latino fans"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2012 Gabriel Navar

El Chavo del Ocho

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as Chespirito's character El Chavo del Ocho
"app 2 gain Latino fans 2"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2012 Gabriel Navar

Doña Florinda

dona Florinda from la vecindad of el chavo del ocho
"app 2 defragment"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2012 Gabriel Navar

La Chilindrina

Maria Antonieta de las Nieves as Chespirito's character La Chilindrina crying over her lost android phone - she doesn't realize it is in her dress pocket.
"app 2 regain humility"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2012 Gabriel Navar

Quico

Oakland A's fan realizing his reflection in the mirror has been transformed into Chespirito's character from El Chavo del Ocho, Quico.
"app 2 rekindle inner child"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2012 Gabriel Navar

Don Ramon

Ramon Valdes as Chespirito's character from El Chavo del Ocho, Don Ramon wearing an MTV tshirt and frowing while texting on his iphone.
"app 4 goofballs"
acrylic, pencils, ink, & oil on paper
24 x 18 in © 2012 Gabriel Navar

The Chespirito Series V I D E O

This video features Gabriel Navar's Chespirito series of paintings dealing with the Chespirito television characters. Included are El Chapulin Colorado, Quico, Don Ramon, La Chilindrina.

Chespirito used "The Elephant Never Forgets" and "Baroque Hoedown" by Jean-Jacques Perrey as the musical themes for "El Chavo del Ocho" and "El Chapulin Colorado" respectively. Jean-Jacques Perrey, in turn was inspired by Bethoven's Turkish March to compose "The Elephant Never Forgets", and this is the song used in the video below (Bethoven's Turkish March, Op. 113).