Jorge Kurczyn
Zoila K. Montalvo (mother).
Me, sisters and mother
Uncle San Benito M. and me.
Jorge Kurczyn (father).
I was born in a small town called San Benito in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, not too far from the Mexican border. It was a place filled with open fields, working cattle ranches, and cotton fields. My mother, Zoila, was the third youngest of ten surviving children born to Francisca Esparza Montalvo and Ismael Montalvo, who were descendants of the original settlers. One of my mother's older brothers, also named San Benito, was actually the first male born in San Benito and he lived to be 100 years old.
During my childhood in San Benito, there were only a few establishments downtown, such as a drugstore, grocery store, bank, and a movie theater. I have fond memories of going to the drive-in theater on the main highway with my aunt Lucy, who was married to my uncle Fred. Every week, she would gather all the kids from around the neighborhood and we would all pile into her giant car with folding chairs. Those were some of my favorite moments as a youngster.
I also enjoyed visiting my uncle's business, Montalvo's Lumber Company, located downtown near the railroad tracks. I was always fascinated by my uncle's sense of humor and how he would joke and laugh with his friends and customers. The store was filled with an assortment of nails and hardware, and the smell of fresh lumber was always in the air. My uncle used to pay me 25 cents to sweep the floors and clear away the wood shavings. As a reward, I was allowed to select scrap wood and a handful of nails to take home. It may seem small, but to me, it was a big deal.
As a child, I was known by the name "Boy." My grandparents, the Montalvos, gave me that nickname, and it stuck. My closest friends also called me "Boy," and my mom affectionately called me "Boyo." I have many memories from the ages of three to five, running around the house barefoot and in just my underwear, pretending to be Batman and Robin. I loved playing outside in the backyard, getting dirty and exploring. I was full of energy and never seemed to run out of it. My sisters always said I got away with a lot, being the only boy and the youngest of four.
Throughout my childhood, I had a strong interest in mechanical and functional objects, such as airplanes and farm equipment. This fascination likely stemmed from my dad, who was a crop duster pilot, and my mom, who was a talented cook and a homemaker. I found myself naturally drawn to understanding the mechanics behind these objects.
At the age of six, I discovered my talent for drawing. In first grade at St. Peter's Catholic School, my teacher, Mother Augustine, asked the class to sit down and color with eight different crayons in a red notebook. She told us to draw whatever came to our minds. The day before, I had been captivated by a big tractor working in front of our house, so that became the subject of my drawing. Mother Augustine was impressed with my drawing and displayed it on our classroom's bulletin board. It was the first time I received an "A" in art, and from that moment on, I became more interested in art and mechanical movements.
As I grew older, my creative interest became an integral part of my life. I realized the connection between mathematics and art, and I saw it as a way to exercise my creative mind. I never took any art lessons, as anything related to art came naturally to me. I believe I inherited artistic talents from my ancestors, and throughout the years, I have continued to develop and diversify my skills.
One of my favorite times of the year has always been Christmas. As a child, I would take apart the toys I received and study how they worked. It brought me joy to learn from my toys. As I got older, I started creating wire and clay figures that served as models for my bronze casting creations. I also became inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's concepts and applied his techniques and mindset to my own art.
My passion for drawing remains strong, and I have become proficient in various mediums such as architectural, mechanical, engineering, oil, acrylic, ink, and pencil. In 1997, my wife, a fashion designer, encouraged me to start designing furniture as a new venture. This led us to establish our own manufacturing facility, Hacienda Santa Klara, in Mexico. My mission became to educate myself in the science and technology of wood and other materials associated with furniture.
Over the years, I have created thousands of original furniture designs and have become known for setting trends in unique furniture with vibrant colors and intricate construction. My inspiration for Western furniture designs came from the movie "Giant" and the culture and lifestyle of old haciendas and working ranches.
Today, I continue to design and manufacture furniture and live in Mexico
My tractor drawing
