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Art takes many forms for Mexican-American artist in Loudoun

Wednesday, Apr. 20 by Laura Peters | 5 comments | Email this story

Robert Sanábria brazes a

sculpture model at his
Leesburg studio April 8.
The brazing process
binds two types of metal
together using a third
metal. The full-size
version will be several feet
high. Over 35 years as an
artist Sanábria has made
more than 25 full-size
sculptures. Times-Mirror
Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

Tucked away in the rolling hills of western Loudoun, Robert Sanábria finds his own personal
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sanctuary filled with art, writing and scenery. The Mexican-American, originally from El Paso,
Texas, has lived in Loudoun County for 25 years, and said it was one of the easiest decisions he Tuesday, Apr. 19 | 3226 views
made. Fairfax police save life of Ashburn
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“We came to Loudoun County and it was just obvious. We wanted a house that we could put a Thursday, Apr. 21 | 2277 views
studio in. So we decided to build our own house,” Sanábria said. “This area of western Loudoun Deputies make drug bust at traffic
... there was nothing here. There were rolling hills and the Blue Ridge in the background, it’s just checkpoint
beautiful country. This was the place to do it.” Monday, Apr. 18 | 1690 views
UPDATE: Protest erupts at Wolf press
A retired Army lieutenant colonel and veteran of the Vietnam and Korean wars, Sanábria spent conference
22 years in the service before deciding to go to school for art. Graduating with a BA and MFA Monday, Apr. 18 | 1531 views
from the University of Maryland, he’s been sculpting for 35 years. Suspected burglars hit Round Hill
neighborhood
After the death of his mother, he decided a good way to cope was to write it all out. After
Monday, Apr. 18 | 1363 views
discovering, with the help from a psychologist, his writing would make a good memoir. His first Bricks of cocaine valued at $40,000
book, “Stewing in the Melting Pot: the Memoir of a Real American” explores his past and seized on plane at Dulles Airport
struggle after being left in an orphanage in California by his mother only to be reunited with her
after being there for 10 years.

“In most people’s minds, that might be inexcusable,” Sanábria says about his mother’s actions.
“It was rather upsetting to go back into your childhood, particularly when it was filled with Stay
trauma, which mine was. So I wanted to write and get all this out.” Connected

Using the previous research he did for his memoir, Sanábria started to write his first novel, “The
Last Californio” which explores the journey a Mexican journalist, Gar Montalvo, who wants to
avenge the murder of his family by a corrupt government official. Trying to expose the official,
Gar soon becomes the target and flees to America, becoming an illegal immigrant. Follow Us
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“As the novel began to evolve I wanted my character to end up in L.A. And having him come News | Sports
from Mexico City to L.A. and have something interesting happen,” Sanábria said.

After researching his first book, he discovered the land that the orphanage he was placed in was
one of many Ranchos that Mexicans owned that were soon taken over by the United States,
some were paid for, but most were stolen from the Mexicans. Like Us
on Facebook
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“I wanted to bring in history and at the same time have the whole thing end up in present day
California and resurrect that many of these ranchos were stolen from the people who owned
them,” Sanábria said.

His Own Journey

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After his time in the Army, he had relocated to Maryland. While attending a art gallery show in via RSS
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Washington, D.C. he met his current wife, Sherry. Although both were still married at the time to
other people, and they had no intentions of doings anything with each other, their paths were to
cross later down the road.
As Sanábria was going through the process of getting his Master’s degree, he contacted Sherry,
since she had attended American University’s Master’s program for advice on the process.
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They’ve been married for 25 years, have four children and five grandchildren between them. Sign up for
When it came to where they would reside, they decided to live at least 100 miles from weekly updates
Washington, D.C. Both work in their studio, which is located about five miles from Leesburg,
where they built their house.
But, what inspires him?

“I don’t really know, I don’t really have it figured out,” Sanábria said.“The urge to do art and to
create something and then the question is ... what?”
It took Sanábria 10 years to write his second book and he spends his days writing and sculpting.

“I divide my time between writing and doing sculpture. Usually I write in the morning and then The Loudoun Times-Mirror
work in the studio,” Sanábria said.

His sculpting work can be seen in permanent collections of 12 museums, synagogues, universities is an interactive, digital replica
and public spaces. He’s created 25 major commissions for municipal projects, religious of the printed newspaper.
institutions and commercial and private collectors. Open the e-edition now.

He recently signed his new book, “The Last Californio"on April 14 at Rust Library in Leesburg.
View our other print publications available online.
Robert Sanábria,
Leesburg writer and
sculptor, recently
published a novel about a
Mexican journalist who
immigrates illegally to
America to escape a
murder plot by a corrupt
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leader. Times-Mirror Staff
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Comments

Thu, Apr 21 at 10:44 PM by arlington:

“A retired Army lieutenant colonel and veteran of the Vietnam and Korean wars,
Sanábria spent 22 years in the service before deciding to go to school for art”

He can hyphenate his name any way he wants. Thank you for your service

Wed, Apr 20 at 05:23 PM by Don't Get the point of this story:

Dear USA, please name the bigoted statements in my post. How do you know
I’m not an immigrant? I simply stated that, according to the writer, he’s lived
American Dream, but yet it was stolen from Mexico. I didn’t identify him as a
hyphenated American. Anyone who has come here legally, pays taxes, obeys the
law is an American. Period.

Wed, Apr 20 at 02:57 PM by All for One, One for All:

Why does it matter where you come from ? As long as you make a sincere,
 positive impact on your community, it shouldnt matter. We are all one people,
whether you like it or not, accept it or not. I think Mr. Sanabria is an
outstanding part of this community, and is sharing his wonderful gift of art.

Wed, Apr 20 at 11:34 AM by USA:

It does not matter what immigrants do in this county. Too many bigots, haters
and racial profiling. It makes me sick. “Don’t get the the point of this story” is a
perfect example. White is the minority now, get us to it.

Wed, Apr 20 at 09:19 AM by Don't Get the the point of this story:

It sounds like he’s lived the American Dream yet somehow it was all stolen from
Mexico.

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