SpanishWHO: Flóres Soláno
WHY: Our new favorite Venezuelan Artist
LINK: http://www.flickr.com/photos/floressolano/
Twitter: @SoyFloresSolano
Interviewer: Greta Álvarez
Follow me @Grets
He’s a 24 year-old Venezuelan guy. Alberto in the common world is a financial information analyst. He’s also the drummer of a band called Rotival and there’s something else about him, he has undeniable artistic gifts. He does something more aside from playing with numbers in an office: Flóres is an artist.
Although he has a studio in his own house where he creates many of the pieces he makes, the majority of his illustrations and sketches are created while he uses the Caracas subway to go from one place to another: “The subway is a great place to create, it has natural movement,” Flóres says.
The young feminine image and “the mysticism of the human beauty” are some of the recurrent themes in the portfolio of this newcomer. If after a process of reflection, music and creation you happen to fall as a Flóres’ muse, he could take the time to paint you on canvas without your consent and afterwards he could call you and say: “Hey, I decided to paint you, I apologize, but now you’re immortal”.
Tell us about your passion for painting
Drawing has always been a natural process to me. My childhood didn’t have any trauma. I could say that I was a happy little kid. I never drew to escape from reality, in fact I did it to leave a legacy of the stories I came up with when I was alone.
Do you categorize your style?
It would be unfair to do so being so new, although in the near future something called “Sangrinismo” will be famous in Latin America and you might see my name there. We’re working to make this a reality
Which materials you use to work?
Acrylic paint over canvas, Faber Castell Art Grip crayons, wax crayons, Chinese ink and Turquoise draw pencils.
What motivates you?
My motivation comes from recognizing the times I live in. I get inspired when I wake up each morning and I see myself surrounded by finished and unfinished pieces. I get inspiration every time I go out and I see the reality of Caracas. From those interactions come the ideas, the love, the muse and my personal motivation to bring something new to the world.
How do you define your work?
Let’s say I resume my work in three words: Introspective, mystic and passionate.
I always try to decode a message, a password. That’s the core of my work. Every painting comes up with a different intention, they take themselves, with scenes that talk about something that comes from a place different than yours.
Some artists that have influenced your work:
Lucian Freud and Frida Kahlo Yucef Merhi and Eduardo “Bol” Pereíra.
Since I met Yucef Merhi I felt a great influence. This is a man that knew how to impulse his genius and sensibility in a brilliant and innovating way. A Venezuelan that nowadays is recognized as a pioneer in the digital arts in the main artistic centers of the world. Yucef is a great ally and friend.
Eduardo “Bol” Pereíra, was a friend that pushed me into the world of canvas. His work is magical and charged with spirits and lots of light.
A song that can define your work (or some of them).
There’s one of my pieces that remind me of a song by Dermis Tatú called “Animalito de Corral”.
Next projects
In 2013 I will start working on a new series of paintings called Las Musas Muertas (The Dead Muses). Moreover, I’m going to record the first album of my band and I’ll do a couple of artworks for other bands. I will also launch my website. Everything you like to know about me will be said first through my twitter account @soyfloresolano. You can follow me there.
