An Executive Privilege

Artist Nicholas Hernandez normally tunes out when it comes to Washington politics. But he’s clued in when it comes to the first family.

The Laguna Beach wood sculptor donated a portrait he made of first daughter Chelsea Clinton, hand-delivering the gift to Hillary Rodham Clinton at a charity fund-raiser in San Francisco in June.

“It’s a major break for me,” Hernandez, 54, said.

The artwork is a glossy, wood-relief sculpture of a slender female figure with wavy hair, leaping over mountain peaks in a long gown painted gold. The 24-by-30-inch piece is framed in textured wood and hangs on a wall.

Hernandez said his style with a relief is to have one limb or body part raised from the surface.

“It’s a spirit of the feminine that I’m trying to capture with the Chelsea relief,” said Hernandez, who incorporates minimal details in his sculptures.

Hernandez’s brush with fame was aided by a serendipitous connection to the White House.

An acquaintance, Amy Lynch, was dating Doug Boxer, the son of California Sen. Barbara Boxer, Hernandez said. The couple, now engaged, visited Hernandez in Laguna Beach a year ago.

“Amy, who calls me Papa Nick, knew I was an artist and suggested I do a piece for the first family,” Hernandez said. “It was sort of in passing, but it became a challenge, because I felt I had to come up with something regal. I mean, these are people who have traveled the world and seen all the best art.”

He began the high-relief sculpture 18 months ago, carving forms out of basswood.

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In his Santa Ana studio, piles of sawdust and scraps of exotic wood are scattered on the floor. On the wall he has tear-sheets from fashion magazines with sleek models in vogue poses.

“I’m always thumbing through magazines for ideas,” Hernandez said. His idea for the Chelsea figure came from a 1921 Vanity Fair with a photo of a model running across a grassy meadow.

He finished the sculpture in December. The problem was getting the portrait to the Clintons. After three failed attempts to meet with the Clintons, Hernandez finally got his chance two months ago at the charity fund-raiser.

“They dressed me up with a $1,000 coat and fancy shoes so I could look the part for the photos,” Hernandez said. He had arrived in his usual jeans and a casual shirt.

When he unveiled his gift, Hernandez said, the first lady fell silent.

“Hillary’s eyes just popped out in awe,” Hernandez said. “We held hands for five minutes. That was the defining moment in my life.”

Hernandez said his decision to become an artist after holding jobs such as a plumber and athletic coach is paying off.

“Hillary said she wants the art to hang in the White House for the rest of the term,” Hernandez said.

He’s hoping to take a trip to the White House soon.

“I got so caught up with bringing [the portrait] to the first lady that I forgot to sign it,” Hernandez said.