Q&A
What first made you want to pursue a career in the arts?
I have been a self-taught painter since a very young age and do not have formal education in Fine Arts. However, my background in architecture has been essential to my artistic development. It has allowed me to understand and master concepts such as light, space, and form, which I apply to all my compositions. Although I initially stepped away from painting due to financial concerns, architecture brought me back to visual expression and provided a solid foundation to build and expand my work.
What has been the most challenging part of your artistic journey?
The most challenging part of my journey has been deciding to dedicate myself to painting professionally. This choice requires balancing multiple aspects of life that often intersect: my work, personal projects, and family life. I am the father of a five-year-old, and the time available for creating is limited; every hour of study or creation requires careful planning and conscious effort.
Despite these challenges, maintaining discipline and making the most of each moment has become a source of motivation. Learning to combine family responsibilities with artistic dedication pushes me to be more efficient, focus my creativity, and appreciate each achievement, no matter how small.
What’s the purpose or goal of your work?
My work has two main objectives: one narrative and one technical. Narratively, my process has evolved over time. Initially, my compositions were dense and information-rich, with dreamlike scenes that invited viewers to immerse themselves in complex worlds. Over the years, I have refined these scenes, focusing on simpler, everyday situations while maintaining depth and the ability to suggest hidden stories. Each piece is designed to awaken the viewer's imagination, leaving clues and unresolved spaces for them to complete.
Technically, oil pastel has been a constant focus throughout my career. Often underestimated in contemporary art, I have explored and perfected it for over 30 years, developing a unique personal technique. Through my work, I aim to demonstrate that oil pastel can have the full expressive potential it deserves within fine art.
Which art trends inspire your current work?
I do not consciously follow trends; instead, I draw inspiration from the work of other artists who challenge and motivate me. My work is firmly rooted in classical art: I deeply admire Caravaggio, Velázquez, Sargent, and Edwin Abbey, who have been constant references since my childhood.
I live near the galleries at Yale University, which I visit regularly to "fill the well" of inspiration, and I also find motivation in young, contemporary artists. It is at this intersection of classical and contemporary that my work emerges. I believe figurative art is experiencing a remarkable revival today thanks to highly talented painters, and I am always attentive to new stimuli that can enrich my work.
How has your style changed over time?
My style has evolved consciously, both narratively and technically. Initially, my compositions were dense and complex, with dreamlike scenes designed to immerse the viewer in enigmatic worlds. Over time, I have refined these scenes toward simpler, more everyday subjects, without losing the implicit complexity that invites the viewer to complete the story.
Technically, I continue to refine oil pastel while exploring unconventional materials and processes. This combination of refined narrative and experimentation defines my current style, where the ordinary becomes a vehicle for profound and visually impactful stories.
Is there a specific environment or material that’s integral to your work?
Yes, the environment where I live plays an important role in my work. New Haven, the city where I live, is a constant source of inspiration, both for its architecture and the vibrant energy of its young population, particularly Yale students. The impressive interiors, the way light moves through spaces, and the geometry of the buildings influence my compositions. As an architect, I am fascinated by how space and perspective can generate atmospheres that evoke emotion and narrative.
At the same time, my current focus is on approaching more everyday and universally recognizable themes. Even in these simpler scenes, light, space, and the energy of the environment remain decisive, creating atmospheres that invite viewers to uncover implicit stories behind the apparent.
Are you currently working on a series and if yes, tell us more about it.
My work focuses on developing unconventional techniques, a personal challenge that motivates me to explore rarely traveled paths in painting. I am currently developing a series of works made entirely with wine as a "pigment," a completely unprecedented project: according to my research, there are no records of professional attempts to approach this technique seriously and systematically.
The materials I work with are treated under strict conservation criteria, including specialized surface sealing, decantation, filtering and reduction of the wine, as well as the application of specialized protective layers. As far as I have been able to determine, these steps have not been applied by other artists who experimented with this technique.
The project combines technical research, experimentation, and visual narrative, exploring how an unconventional medium can generate images that suggest implicit stories and awaken the viewer's imagination. I hope to soon share significant progress through a series of completed works that fully reflect these investigations and discoveries."
