Judging from the zen of his hubcap painting, Hector Estrada has found his art
After years in the legal profession, Hector Estrada turned to a more zen occupation in his retirement, rescuing abandoned hubcaps and turning them into works of art. Note: the hubcaps are not for sale.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
This Toyota hubcap features a calla lily in the center. The hands at each of the six spokes are modeled from Mayan hieroglyphs. Many of the hubcaps Estrada finds are from Toyotas. "Toyota has been very good to me," Estrada says of his finds.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
Fiery comets move around this hubcap. Estrada began collecting the hubcaps that fell from cars many years ago. He saw potential in the dirty pieces.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
A close up of the comets.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
Estrada began painting on canvas in 1985 and found it a calming therapy after the stressful days in the legal profession.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The native Tucsonas has been working since he was 10 years old. Before he retired he had often been working 12-hour days and found retirement a difficult transition. Painting eased that.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
This flower was modeled after one on a cactus that Estrada photographed. All but one of the hubcaps Estrada has picked up are plastic. The lone metal one he found is too gorgeous to paint he says.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
In the center of this pepper motif is solder bits that fell when a water heater was being installed. Estrada glued the silvery bits to his artwork.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
Like a phoenix rising from ashes, Estrada gives these once-ugly hubcaps that were left behind a new life as art. He doesn't think of himself as an artist, but others might disagree.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
Estrada spends about 10 hours on each hubcap, sometimes painting for only 30 minutes of time. Here, the lug nuts are part of the motif.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The center of this hubcap has a moon and star design with the silvery color of the hubcap showing through in a star around the center.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
The wind is blowing toward the center rose.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
Monocolored birds are transformed
These birds were meant to be yard ornaments. They were perched on long sticks so they could be pushed into the ground, but they were in need of some color. The birds are now a merry group sitting on the hearth. Estrada painted them before beginning his work on hubcaps.
The zen of hubcap painting after retirement from the legal profession
After spending almost 40 years in the legal profession, including more than eight as a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge, Hector Estrada has turned to a more zen occupation in his retirement.
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
The following are some of the steps Estrada takes as he paints a hubcap.
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
The painting of a calla lily and Mayan glyphs
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