About Masterpiece Relief for the Blind

Thomas  Bustos Story

Tomas Bustos is a native of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Bustos served a seven-year apprenticeship with the well-known sculptor and artisan Octavio Medellin whose work is included in many museum collections including the Dallas Museum of Art. Under the guidance of Mr. Medellin, Tomas Bustos mastered the art of woodcarving, stone carving, bronze casting, welding, drawing, and oil painting. Mr. Bustos also learned the art of mechanical animation as an apprentice and employee with the Bill Reed Decorations Co. of Dallas. After 25 years working as a master woodcarver for prominent companies such as Orion’s Antiques and Manheim’s Furniture Co. of Dallas, Mr. Bustos founded his own company in 1995. His studio quickly gained a reputation for quality and reliability that has allowed him to produce work in places as far as South Africa and Canada . His great passion for the arts and thirty years of experience make Tomas Bustos one of the most well rounded artists in the region.

Jacinta Hernendez Story

Jacinta Hernendez grew up in Dolores Hgo Gto Mexico.  She lived in a very modest home with her mother and five siblings. Her father was mostly a farm hand working in Texas and California and in 1974 he brought his family to Texas ( Legally ) . Jacinta worked during the day and attended evening classes to learn english.  Then she continued her education to eventually become a Registered nurse and worked in Parkland Hospital ER Pediatrics , she later worked in the City of Dallas Child Ewing clinic providing Child Care and Immunizations.  In 2017 she retired from Henderson Elementry School/ DISD  after 20 years as a school nurse.  At this time she along with Tomas Bustos teach clay classes to the visually imparied at Envision East Dallas.  

She partnered with Tomas with his creative skills  to make 3D artwork for the blind, and originally funded the first masterpiece ( Mona Lisa ), and with Tomas created the first 3D art piece.  We had numerous discussions as to what material the final art piece should be made of , whether it be resin, or bronze material.  Knowing what the original target would be for the blind, we chose Bronze material.  We started this orginazation in 2016, and had no funds to move forward, and Jacinta at that moment stepped up and from her own retirement money funded the Mono Lisa in Bronze.  Since Mono Lisa was indeed a classical masterpiece produced by Tomas Bustos, but had no frame of musem quality,   between Jacinta and Tomas the framing material was purchased.  This art piece was ready to be hung where blind persons can now learn, touch and feel the perspective of Mono Lisa.