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David Rodrigues, the Artist
with special thanks to Ed Cesena
One Saturday afternoon in 1996, David Rodrigues walked into an art reception at a downtown shop in Oakdale, California. Instantly captivated by the expressive images and moody colors of the paintings on the walls, David was drawn in by the loose brushstrokes that invited him to fill in the gaps, completing the jazz scenes in his mind. "Cool." That was the word that came to him, marking his first encounter with the works of the great artist Ed Cesena.
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As David strolled through the exhibition, taking in the unique pieces, he found himself curious about the artist behind them. That’s when Ed Cesena himself approached, introducing himself with a friendly smile. "Are you a painter?" Ed asked. "Well, I’m trying," David replied. "I’ve been dabbling with oils, looking for someone who teaches." Ed showed him around the gallery, discussing the various works on display, many centered around jazz—a subject that seemed to perfectly align with Ed's effortless cool. For a 69-year-old, he was impressively hip. At 42, David had no idea that this encounter would mark the beginning of a years-long mentorship.
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Before they parted, Ed handed David his business card, a simple white card with his name and phone number printed in red. "Call me. We can have coffee and talk," Ed said. Two months later, David rediscovered the card and nervously told his wife, “I’m going to call him.” To his surprise, Ed remembered him. When David asked about the cost of a lesson, Ed simply replied, “Don’t worry about that. Just bring a photo of something you’d like to paint and come over. I’ll provide the paint and materials—just show up.” That evening, David arrived at Ed’s home and was warmly greeted by his wife, Carol. “What did you bring to paint?” Ed asked. David handed him a magazine photo of marathon runners. Together, they went to the back room of the house, which served as Ed’s studio. Two easels stood side by side, canvases ready, and an array of paint tubes spread out. The stage was set for David's first lesson.
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Expecting a detailed lecture on technique, David was instead met with Ed’s straightforward approach. “Just do it,” Ed said. That was the lesson. David watched and imitated as Ed worked. After about an hour, Ed told David to go home, paint three versions of what they had created that night, and return the following week. Ecstatic, David went home and told his wife all about the art lesson. Eagerly, he painted those three versions and couldn’t wait to show them to his new mentor. The following week, with some nervousness, David returned to Ed’s home with the three paintings in hand. Upon seeing them, Ed called out, “Carol, he did it!” Then, turning to David, he added, “I was just trying to get rid of you, but now I know you’re serious. I’ve never worked with anyone before, but I’ll work with you.”​​
​That’s how their mentor-student relationship began. Over the next several years, they grew close. David eagerly anticipated each visit to Ed’s studio, excited to see what Ed had painted during the week. Sometimes Ed would critique David's work by "touching up" his paintings—a habit that David soon grew to dislike. Eventually, David became comfortable enough to tell him, “Don’t touch them!” Ed would laugh, and in time, the touch-ups stopped.
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Their painting sessions were always accompanied by jazz, a passion Ed passed on to David. Ed detested “smooth jazz,” preferring the lively rhythms of traditional jazz, which seemed to fuel the swift, confident strokes that became a hallmark of his work. David fondly dubbed them “Ed lines.” Often, he would pause his own work to watch Ed in his element, learning not just by instruction, but by witnessing a master at work.
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Anyone who spent time with Ed knew he had a great sense of humor. Laughter filled their sessions. One of David’s favorite aspects of their time together was hearing the stories Ed would weave within his paintings. He’d point to a figure and create an entire narrative, often humorous and not always kind. Together, they entered art shows, attended club meetings, and traveled to demonstrations led by Ed. They even shared booths at street exhibitions. Conversations often centered on art, with Ed pulling out a magazine or book to share a painting that caught his eye. Everything was about art. Ed gave selflessly, pouring his knowledge into David. On several occasions, David was asked, “Do you know Ed Cesena? Your work reminds me of his.” To David, there was no greater compliment.
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As time passed, their mentor-protégé relationship deepened into friendship. Ed shared personal details of his life with David, encouraging him to pray and seek God. Ed was deeply spiritual and told David that he considered him a son. He often expressed his love and gratitude for their friendship. Though life’s demands caused their studio sessions to grow less frequent, the bond remained strong. David last visited Ed in 2019 during an open studio tour at his home in Modesto, California. Time had taken its toll on Ed; he moved slowly and sat often. But even then, he had David pick out one of his amazing paintings, a gesture he had made many times before. Unbeknownst to David, this would be their last meeting. Later that year, Ed moved to Oregon to spend his final days with his daughter, passing away at the age of 91.
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David deeply misses his mentor and friend. Reflecting on those years, he realizes how fortunate he was to know Ed Cesena so personally. Ed’s influence is ever-present in David’s own art. Today, if you find David in his studio, you’ll still hear the jazz, see the vibrant colors, and if you look closely, you might just feel Ed standing beside him, guiding his hand.
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