Chilean artist shares artistic talent with others
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Jose Riveros was born with an artist's sensibilities. Perhaps other little boys his age wished for toy trains and soldiers; young Jose asked his parents for brushes and watercolors. His mother and father recognized their son's remarkable artistic talents when he was a child.
Still, he was a Chilean youngster growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s. For ambitious students such as Jose, painting and sketching were mere diversions — something fun to do while training for the sorts of professions that pay the bills. After high school, he enrolled in architecture school and studied interior design. For several years Jose's talents with brush and paint went largely unappreciated, even to himself.
Then in 1967 things changed. One evening Jose's parents were visited by a couple of missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had little interest in what the young American elders had to say, but they invited them to return when the inquisitive-minded Jose was around.
"My father told me to make sure I was home the following Tuesday because two Americans were coming to teach me about a 'new religion' " Brother Riveros said.
Jose was 24 at the time and knew nothing about the Church. Still, even before meeting the missionaries, he had an undeniable feeling that he would accept their gospel message. He listened to their discussions, believed their teachings and was baptized. He was especially touched by the young men's insight on God-given talents.
"[The missionaries] said to be grateful for talents and share them with others," Brother Riveros said.
More than three decades have passed and he continues to adhere to the elders' wise counsel. Brother Riveros has developed his interior design career and made painting an avocation of love and testimony. Folks who have visited the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City have likely seen one of his oils on display. His colorful, missionary-themed "Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations" won the Purchase Award during the museum's 1992 international competition and is now part of its permanent collection.
His recent entry in the museum's upcoming 2003 competition depicts the resurrected Christ speaking with a Nephite leader in the New World.
"My dream is to one day be in an economic situation where I can dedicate all my time to painting," said Brother Riveros, a former bishop.
A missionary work enthusiast, Brother Riveros and his wife and fellow convert, Eva, have seen the Church grow in Chile from 50,000 members to more than a half million in just over three decades.
Besides sharing his testimony in canvas and oil, Brother Riveros teaches gospel doctrine in the Costanera Ward, Santiago Chile Las Condes Stake. Fluent in English, Brother Riveros dissects the writings of Church leaders such as President Thomas S. Monson and Elder Bruce R. McConkie to prepare for his classes.
His self-taught style is gleaning renown in Chile. Still, the father of four says his artistic motives remain grounded.
"I like decorative painting — bringing beauty into a home."
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
