Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Mogas.
Hi Richard, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born in Laredo, Texas the youngest of six children to Maria Benavides Mogas and Jose Roque Mogas, but lived the majority of my life in SA. Degree in Architecture from the Univ of Texas at Austin then moved to New Mexico for a few years. I returned to SA and opened my architectural office in 1979 and have been in continuous practice for 47 years all while making art in my studio. Architectural projects mostly in SA, Houston, Shiner, Rio Grande Valley and the Texas Hill Country. Nominated for AIA Fellowship but did not pursue. My art work is included in The McNay Print Collection, Ruby City Art Collection, numerous private collections, multiple art shows over the years. Nine time cancer survivor. Volunteer for the SA Leukemia Lymphoma Society as a “First Connect” for newly diagnosed patients.
Taught at San Antonio College and UTSA.
Wife Michele Menchaca, artist, and we have 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Loving what I do makes loving life a simple thing.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Surviving too many medical issues for one person has taken lots of patience and determination, but it has given me plenty of insights into the real reason for living. Thich Nhat Hahn’s books have been a rewarding read for me
to get me through the chaotic life we are experiencing and the complexities and contradictions of staying focused.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Architecture
Although we have designed many commercial projects over the years, it’s the residential work that is the most rewarding. With a credo of “Valuing the reader over the author”, our homes are carefully crafted to express the
wants and needs of our clients. We are good listeners and we believe the final home design results in happy home owners.
Commercial projects can be fun because we have more room for experimentation.
Art
After my many years in Marfa and traveling through West Texas and New Mexico, my remembrances and places for meditation are captured in my abstracted landscape paintings.
What were you like growing up?
A quiet youth focused on nature for the most part. Terribly shy. Never went to a prom or dated until my senior year in High School when a girl asked me out.
I worked on my family’s ranch in South Texas every weekend and through the Summers so I did not have a social life to speak of until I went to college. Loved ranching life. Rode bulls for a short time after High School trying to gain confidence
Traveled through Europe when I was 17 and fell in love with it. Have been able to make the trip several times over the past many years including a solo trip that was a great experience allowing me to choose my own path and time schedule.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RichardMogas.com
- Instagram: #mogasart #richardmogasarchitect_ #Richardmogasart
