Alice Hernandez-Gaona

Alice Hernandez-Gaona passed away at home in Long Beach on June 6, 2017, at the age of 54.

Alice, born in Los Angeles, California on May 13, 1963, to Alfred and Emilia Hernandez, was the sixth of seven children. Alice always dreamed of becoming an artist like her father and was always intrigued by his drawings, his wood-working sculptures, and anything dad could do. Alice knew she could also follow those dreams.

Raised in Long Beach, California, Alice received her high school diploma from Millikan High.

And it was at an early age that Alice began taking art lessons and it was clear to everybody that this would be the path she would excel in. It was not until 1994 that Alice took her first oil painting lesson with a local artist.  Painting was just a hobby of Alice’s, as she worked as a sales executive for more than 20 years. At the age of 45, Alice decided to follow her dreams and make painting her full time career. She studied under David Leffel, who is considered by many as a “20th Century Old Master” & Regina Lyubovnaya. Alice also attended the Los Angeles Academy of Fine Arts and Kline academy.

She nurtured other artists as the Co-Owner of the Alice-Rice Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. A mong her many accomplishments, Alice was accepted into the National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society International on-line exhibit for both 2014 and 2015 ( www.noaps.org ). She also received Honorable mention at the Beverly Hills Fall 2011 show, best oil painter at The Laguna Art A Fair Festival 2011, as well as the Best Oil Painter award at the La Quinta Arts Festival 2014.

She is survived by her husband of 9 years, Phil Gaona, 29-year-old son Ryan Hernandez, 16-year-old daughter Alyssa Johnson, and her mother Emilia, her six siblings: Mary Finger, Linda Huffman, Rick Hernandez, Al Hernandez, Dora Hernandez and Liz Turner.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Nine Girls Ask? for a cure for Ovarian Cancer. P.O. Box 212901, Chula Vista, CA 91921, https://www.ninegirlsask.com/donate/ .

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401