Our dear friend and teacher has left us. Many of us were students to this wonderful man. Sebastian tried to teach us everything he knew about painting. Each of us learned so much from his generous knowledge, but there is a sparkle and glow about his paintings that could not be taught. Sebastian loved to paint from early childhood. His love and passion for painting was with him to his final days.
Sebastian cared about his students and friends; he touched each of us in a very personable way. He lived life to its fullest. He strived for perfection in his paintings and achieved it many times. His paintings would hold their own in the best galleries with the great painters of the past.
I saw a field of muted colors and what I thought was no focus; he saw a beautiful harmony of color and shapes. Sebastian loved to turn something beautiful out of almost nothing. He taught us to see beyond what is there. I often played golf at Torrey Pines with him; he said things like “I am amazed of the vast range of beautiful vibrant colors that are everywhere”; “look at the power of the light on that tree” and “See the beauty of the sea and the power of the sun pushing through the branches”. He saw the world with different eyes. If I could only see what he sees.
Sebastian was from Valencia, Spain, he joins a long history of great Spanish Painters. He loved San Diego. Sebastian was a true gentleman; his kindness and humor infected all that meet him. When Sebastian was not in the classroom we seemed to be drifting often in the wrong direction; but as soon as he entered, the captain directed us out of muddy waters to the shining seas.
When he painted, his brush was manipulated like a conductor’s baton but became a magician’s wand. I saw with amazement as he transformed blank canvas into worlds of beauty. Sebastian could make eyes come alive.
We were lucky to have Sebastian pass through our lives and touch us with his magic.
He is now God’s painter. We will never forget him.