Veteran Contemporary Realism Artist
Spain
It
was in1973 when I was 14 years old that I told my parents I wanted to leave
school and dedicate my life to painting. Early on I had been drawing a fair
bit; I was interested in using colored pencils, and the way in which by rubbing
them on rough paper, if done subtly, there was still room for other colors.
Moreover, for me this was a dream of working in what I liked. Back then in
Spain, where everything was about duty, I was drawn to the idea of pursuing a
profession in which to feel free.
My
father was good and fast at drawing, with great imagination, but he decided not
to follow this path because he thought it was difficult to make a living from
it. I was made to continue studying and even start the first year of law at
university, although I dropped out to focus on painting. I left Madrid and
headed for a village in Andalusia (Southern Spain) to learn how to paint. I had
two exhibitions in this village, and in the second one I sold all of my paintings.
That was when I realized, I had to focus entirely on painting.
From
then on, I was greatly motivated, and I spent time and put great effort into
having my paintings in places that I was interested in. This was a way to make
good contacts and build up a solid body of work. My work is present in almost
all of the Spanish banking sector.
In
1992, I had a proposal to exhibit with other Spanish artists at the Ynguanzo Gallery
in Soho, New York City, but I had to turn it down because I had no paintings. I
regret not having taken part, but this was the first potential agreement with
an international gallery. I have since exhibited as a solo artist in the same
gallery located in Madrid and with other artists in the Arco Fair with the Levy
gallery. At the same time, I also received orders from private clients and companies,
always remaining clear about my objectives.
I
have exhibited at the following official sites: The Cultural Centers of Véjer
de la Frontera and Arcos de la Frontera in Cádiz, San Lorenzo de El Escorial,
and Conde Duque in Madrid. I have had solo artist exhibitions at professional
galleries such as Ynguanzo and Levy in Madrid, Nolde in Navacerrada, Clave in
Murcia, Cartel in Granada, and Urdangarín in Victoria.
Although
my work could be included in the third generation of Spanish realism, this is
as broad a concept as there are artists' perspectives. There is not one rule,
nor a single vision. I enjoy solitary spaces, the outskirts of cities, what we
generally neglect. That which is not useful, entices me to paint it. What is
apparent in my work is the increasing absence of the human figure and the lack
of appreciation for what man can contribute to this world.
Being able to continue painting and realize that what I do coincides with the sensitivity of people with taste as I continue to explore my individual path is what inspires me every day.
