BIO & RESUME

CURRICULUM VITAE

Born, raised and trained in San Jose, California, Lila Gemellos started her business in the Arts over 15 years ago.  With over 30 years of technical training, today Gemellos employs different styles confidently – from photorealism to technicolor.

 

Gemellos studied at photorealist’s Lee Hartman’s studio from 1993-2003.  After studying Oil Painting at the University of California, Riverside, Gemellos began a career in commercial real estate and property management, receiving a Construction Industry Technician degree from Clemson University.  She worked for developers, property owners and specialty contractors in different administrative capacities.  When construction was downsized in 2008, Gemellos was already struggling to find time for both endeavors.

 

Today, Gemellos is working with builders and owners to create community harmony.  Employing her craft to mitigate graffiti in Eastside San Jose schools first, Gemellos built a portfolio of community engagement.  Gemellos brings her strong San Jose roots to her artistic narratives through “sense of place” murals.  She also approaches projects with joyful color and broad collaboration. She distinguishes herself as a visual storyteller, a social media placemaker and a professional creative force.

 

Her first commission open to the public was Falafel’s Drive In.  Her first large public art opportunity was at 1133 Lincoln Avenue with the Willow Glen Business Association.  Her furthest job was Prescott, Arizona.  Gemellos now looks to take her inspired narratives to the public art scene all over the country.

VISUAL ARTIST RESUME

Gemellos Murals, Sole-proprietor Artist, Full-time Jan 2009-Present

  • Manages all aspects of Gemellos Murals, sales, legal and mural execution
  • Interior, Exterior, Ground and Floor Murals up to 5000 sq. ft.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE TO VISUAL ARTIST

Mid-Pen Housing via Accountemps April-Nov 2010
Data Entry Specialist, 6 month contract, offered permanent position
• Inputted Compliance data for Sec 8 & subsidized housings, coordinated with Housing Agencies
• Created forecasts and rent schedules based on trends and new regulations
• Tracked Property Management Expenses – often finding minor maintenance issues costing thousands of dollars annually through forensic expense trending
• On-Site residents tax reviews, Waitlist Monitoring & Compliance

RFI Enterprises Oct 2009-March 2010
Contract Coordinator
• Coordinated new contracts, entered purchase orders & billing data
• Coordinated subcontracts
• Updated systems, often stepping up to help others

JP DiNapoli Companies June 2004-Oct 2009
Filing clerk to Construction Coordinator, CIT
• Accounting filing & light accounting input
• Responsibilities grew to Property Management administration and year end roll-over
• Coordinated construction contracts & acquisitions of real property, signing off on completion and release of liens, and preparing documents for & being at public hearings

EDUCATION

Silver Creek High School ‘03

University of California, Riverside, oil acrylicing *did not complete due to illness

Construction Industry Technician Certificate, Clemson University, San Jose Builders’ Guild ’06

 

AWARDS:

Abierto Grant 2022

Abierto Grant, 2021

City Commendation, 2021

Holding the Moment Exhibition, 2020

Covid Relief Grant, $500.00, 2020

Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Gateway Murals Funding, $100,000.00, 2019

Pre-Qualified Mural Roster, City of San Jose 2019

What’s the Biz, D3, Sept. 2018

Belle Foundation Grant, 2015

*multiple college scholarships in 2003

*multiple Santa Clara County Fair awards, including Best of Show, 1996-1999

*Miss Teen San Jose 2003

 

REFERENCES

Kenneth Rodrigues

Kenneth Rodrigues and Associates

445 N Whisman Rd # 200, Mountain View, CA 94043

(650) 965-0700

 

Michael Mulcahy

SDS Nexgen Partners

1112 Willow Street, San Jose, CA 95125

(408) 298-4264

 

Najla Kayyem

Pacific Retail Capital Partners & Kayyem Marketing

100 N Sepulveda Blvd Suite 1925, El Segundo, CA 90245

(310)641-8060

 

Michael Van Every

Republic Urban Properties

1096 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

(408)292-1601

 

Cindy Chavez

County of Santa Clara, Board of County Supervisors

70 W Hedding St, San Jose, CA 95110

(408)299-5020, Cindy.Chavez@bos.sccgov.org

BODY OF WORK

  • VRISSI, Greek Fountain Mural and 4 stage backdrops, May 2001, Play performed in Rethimnon, Crete, Greece July 2001, 824 sq. ft., acrylic on canvas
  • SUNNY BREAKFAST NOOK, Sun centered on Light fixture, March 2004, 49 Norton Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, 225 sq. ft., interior acrylic
  • REPAIRS AND RESTORATIONS, Vintage Wallpaper and wall blemish repairs for County of Santa Clara and JP DiNapoli Companies, Sept 2009, various locations, less than 1 sq. ft., epoxy, acrylics, and various texturing patches for repair
  • FAUX ADOBE RESIDENTIALS, Home Improvement and Small Jobs on the side June 2010-June 2011, private residences, interior matte acrylics, 200-800 sq. ft. per, semi-gloss glaze and pastel chalks
  • CHABOYA PHASE 1, Chaboya Middle School Labeling Project (11 murals) June-Sept 2011, 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95138, 1,728 sq. ft., acrylics
  • SOMETHING SAN JOSE, Falafel’s Drive In, Nov 2011-April 2012, 2301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, 95128, 5000+ sq. ft., various acrylics
  • ACCENTS, Home and Small School Jobs June 2012-June 2013, KR Smith Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, private residences, 100-300 sq. ft., various acrylics
  • MONTGOMERY COURTYARD, Montgomery Elementary School Phase I (3 murals) June -Aug 2013, 2010 Daniel Maloney Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 270 sq. ft., exterior matte and acrylics
  • CHABOYA PHASE 2, Chaboya Middle School Gym Murals, (3 murals) June-Aug 2013, 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95138, 140 sq. ft., exterior matte and acrylics
  • SBIA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, Classroom Murals and Prayer Calligraphy Vinyls, (4 installs, 1 mural) Sept 2013, 325 N 3rd St, San Jose, CA 95112, vinyl applique and interior semigloss
  • BRACE SIMPSON, Santa Cruz Orthodontics Signage Oct 2013, 930 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 128 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • EXAM ROOMS I, Aasha’s Pediatrics Phase I Nov – Dec 2013, 1569 Lexann Ave #230, San Jose, CA 95121, 1500 sq. ft., interior acrylics
  • SMALL JOBS, Lobbies and Exam Rooms, Jan-March 2014, Private businesses, 100-400 sq. ft., various acrylics
  • SHAVED ICE, Shaved Hawaiian Ice Murals (4) May-June 2014, 1597 Meridian Ave E, San Jose, CA 95125, 450 sq. ft., interior acrylics
  • COURTYARD COMPLETION & BALL WALLS, Montgomery Phase II & Ball Walls (5 murals) June-Aug 2015, 2010 Daniel Maloney Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 1080 sq. ft., exterior matte and acrylics
  • GIRLS LOCKER ROOM, Chaboya Girl’s Locker Room, Aug 2015, 3276 Cortona Dr., San Jose, CA 95138, 150 sq. ft., interior acrylic
  • UNDERWATER DENTIST OFFICE, Navarro’s Smile Dentistry Nov 2015, 750 N Capitol Ave #C, San Jose, CA 95133, 180 sq. ft., interior matte acrylics
  • STUDENT BODY SPEAKS, Laurelwood Ball Wall April-June 2016, 4280 Partridge Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 500 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • RED WHITE AND ROSE BIKE, Peet’s Coffee, Exhibition District & ABA, Bike, June 2016, 1295 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, 30 sq. ft., exterior acrylics *Did not seal, reflected in price
  • MATH’S COMMON CORE FUNCTION, Chaboya Middle School Coordinate Planes (2 murals) July 2016, 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose, CA 95138, 320 sq. ft., exterior matte, acrylics & industrial spray
  • EXAM ROOMS II, Aasha’s Pediatrics Phase II (9 murals, varying sizes) July-Aug 2016, 1569 Lexann Ave #230, San Jose, CA 95121, 810 sq. ft., interior acrylics
  • LIFE IN WILLOW GLEN, #lifeinwillowglen, Willow Glen Business Association, Sept-Nov 2016, 1133 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, 900 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • VENDROME BOX AND CRITTER BOX, City of San Jose Artboxes, 2017, approximately 50 sq. ft. each, various acrylics
  • SAN JOSE LOVE PHOTO MURALS, #heartofsiliconvalley, #valleyofheartsdelight, #sanjoseskyline, #heartofsanjose, Eastridge Mall Murals (4 murals) March-April 2017, 20 day execution, 2200 Eastridge Mall Loop, San Jose, CA 95121, 2,500 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • CREATE CONNECT COLLABORATE, Ninico Communications, June 2017, 255 N Market St Suite 246, San Jose, CA 95110, 32 sq. ft, exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • BENICIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUM, 9 ft. Benicia High School circular logos on seven (7) buildings, Sept 2017, 1101 Military West, Benicia, California 94510, exterior acrylics
  • WHIMSICAL MORGAN HILL, City of Morgan Hill Public Art Mural, March 6-13, 2018, 17280 Monterey Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, 400 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • ERIKSON PARK, City of San Jose Public Art Mural, April 15-23, 2018, 4280 Fell Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136, 800 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • MIDTOWN 76 STATION, Polanco Enterprises, Aug 2018, 602 W. San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95126, 350 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • LAWRENCE STATION CENTER, Marchese Family Properties, Sept 17th – Oct 17th, 2018, 3550 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051, 1200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • SOFA MURAL, Valley Title Building, 1 day live activation, Sept 2018, 520 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113, 300 sq. ft., exterior mural sprays and acrylic
  • EASTRIDGE MALL, GOING UP, temporary interior murals, Pacific Retail, Sept 25th, 2018, 1 day live activation, 2200 Eastridge Mall Loop, San Jose, CA 95121, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • SANTANA ROW BOXES, Federal Realty, Oct 23rd – Oct 30th, 2018, 3098 Olsen Dr, San Jose, CA 95128, 300 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • MATSUMOTO ELEMENTARY, Evergreen School District, April 2019, 4121 Mackin Woods Ln, San Jose, CA 95135, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • DOVE HILL ELEMENTARY, entry murals (2), Evergreen School District, May 2019, 1460 Colt Way, San Jose, CA 95121, 1000 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • LAURELWOOD, Evergreen School District, May 2019, 4280 Partridge Dr, San Jose, CA 95121, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • MUSIC DAY PIANOS, City of San Jose District 10 and Almaden Rotary, Almaden Lake Park, June 2019, 150 sq ft., exterior mural sprays and acrylic
  • WARLI RESIDENTIAL MURAL, private client, June 2019, 40 sq. ft., exterior acrylic
  • BOLLINGER ARTBOX, City of San Jose, June 2019, corner of Bollinger Rd & Johnson Ave, -100 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • DASH COFFEE & BARKEY, June 2019, 44047 Osgood Rd #210, Fremont, CA 94539, 200 sq. ft., exterior mural sprays and acrylic
  • SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, curating, managing and acrylicing, July-Aug 2019, 6000+ sq. ft., exterior mural sprays and acrylic
  • UBRAN PLAYGROUND, Fountain Alley Building, Urban Catalyst, Sept 2019, 35 S Second St, San Jose, CA 95113, 2000+ sq. ft., exterior mural acrylic
  • SAN CARLOS ARTBOX, City of San Jose, corner of Bird Ave and San Carlos St., -100 sq. ft., exterior acrylics and mural sprays
  • HAMANN PARK, City of San Jose Public Art Mural, Oct 2019, 2747 Westfield Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, 1000 sq. ft., exterior mural acrylic
  • DEPOT MARKETPLACE, Prescott, Arizona, Nov 2019, 100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, AZ 86301, 675 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • SAN PEDRO SQUARE, Tabbard Theater 29 N San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110, March 2020, 700 sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • NORWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Aug 2020, 3241 Remington Way, San Jose, CA 95148, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylic
  • WHITE ROAD ARTBOX, City of San Jose, corner of White & Tully Road, Aug 2020, -100 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • LINCOLN AVE, temporary murals (2), SDS Nexgen LLC, Lincoln Ave., Aug 2020, 200 sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • GANADO FEED, 945 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, Aug 2020, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • KINRED FITNESS, 2282 Quimby Rd, San Jose, CA 95122, March 2021, 120 sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • HAMMER AND NAILS, 1151 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, May 2021, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays, phosphorescent paint and acrylic
  • ERIC CARLE TINY FREE LIBRARY, Flint Road, May 29, 2021, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • KIPP HERITAGE ACADEMY, 423 Los Arboles St, San Jose, CA 95111, June 2021, -100 sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • SILVER OAK ELEMENTARY (2), 5000 Farnsworth Dr, San Jose, CA 95138, June 2021, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylic
  • WHEELHOUSE, Lincoln Ave (3), 1173 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, 200+ sq. ft., July 2021, mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • BLANCA ALVARADO MEDICAL RESOURCE CENTER, SANTA CLARA FAMILY HEALTH PLAN (2), 408 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95133, July 2021, 200+ sq. ft., mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • MARKET PARK (15 murals), City of San Jose planning department collaborated murals, Sept 2020 – July 2021, 1477 Berryessa Road, San Jose, CA 95133, 4000+ sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • AZORES RESIDENTIAL, private client, Aug 2021, 120+ sq. ft. exterior acrylics
  • SAN PEDRO SQUARE MARKET ELECTRICAL BOX, San Pedro Square Market, 87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, Sept 2021, mural sprays and exterior acrylic
  • OB WHALEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Evergreen Elementary School District, 2655 Alvin Ave, San Jose, CA 95121, Dec 2021, +100 sq. ft, exterior acrylics
  • ALMA TEQUILERIA (2), Nov 2021, 87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, 1000 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • CAMPBELL LOVE, Imwalle Properties, City of Campbell collaborated, Nov 2021, 276 E. Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008, 180 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • MT PLEASANT MURALS (4), City of San Jose Department of Transportation and Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Association, Dec 2021, 3499 Marten Avenue, San Jose, CA 95127, exterior acrylics
  • SAN PEDRO SQUARE SIGNAGE, San Pedro Square Market, 87 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95110, Feb 2022, 200 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • CITY OF SUNNYVALE ELECTRICAL BOXES, City of Sunnyvale, March 27th, 2022, corner of Washington and Sunnyvale Avenue, 100 sq ft., exterior acrylics
  • LIVING WALL OAKRIDGE MALL, 925 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95123, July 2022, 1000 sq. ft., exterior acrylics
  • SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, URBAN REPUBLIC HEADQUARTERS, 1096 LincolnAvenue, San Jose, CA 95125, Aug 2022, 1200 sq. ft., exterior acrylic
  • GIRAFFE STAIRCASE, Little Spirits, 77 N. Almaden Ave. #102, San Jose, CA 95110, Sept 2022, exterior acrylic