Having enjoyed over sixty exhibitions to date, Victor Hugo Zayas is best known for his paintings, vigorous depictions of landscapes and cityscapes, as well as still life and figural subjects that mediate between realism and expressionism…
Their subdued palette evokes the tonalism of Rembrandt, Velazquez, and Manet, but their expansive, forceful brushstrokes hark back to Titian and even van Gogh. by Peter Frank of Visions Magazine
Thanks to Photos by KAG, we were able to visit the artist Victor Hugo Zayas at his home and studio in Los Angeles after spending the morning Stand Up Paddleboarding during our trip to Southern California.
My kids were able to hang out with their cousins and were on their best behavior at Victor’s art studio.
My brother-in-law met Victor Hugo Zayas years ago in South Central Los Angeles and photographs him at work in his studio. It’s always a treat to see how an artist works. Victor’s studio is 6000 square feet of creativity.
The amount of oil paint is staggering but painting is not his only medium. Far from it. Victor is a prolific sculptor.
He also draws the figure using models.
His work is both abstract and representational.
In short, his many styles and the beauty of his work is reminiscent of Picasso.
But when we meet an artist, we are also interested in the person.
And Victor is a good person, and fun to be around. The kids loved meeting him too.
Though a big time artist about to go supernova, he made a point to offer Grasshopper and Sensei help with her portfolio selection when she applies to art school. He’s on the faculty of Art Center in Pasadena.
PickyKidPix has been investing in the stock market, but after she looked at all his art pieces, she decided that she wants to invest in art now too.
So, after much consternation, she picked this piece herself and bought it with her own money. Victor was amused and gave her a really good price.
His previously youngest patron was his own art student who fell in love with one of his pieces and asked to buy it. He was surprised that an art student could purchase art. She offered to pay $100 per month until it was paid off. He accepted because he loved how much she loved his art.
“With a mixture of passion and bold energy, Mexican-American artist Victor Hugo Zayas (b. 1961) presented his expressionistic paintings of figures, landscapes, and cityscapes, and linear, abstract sculptures in Mi Obra. Zayas, who lives and works in Los Angeles, unveiled his new sculpture series made from more than two tons of destroyed guns; he created the works as a symbol of peace in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Gun Buyback Program, which aims to take illegal firearms off of the streets of L.A.” from Laguna Art Museum
Does his work remind you of any other artists?
p.s. His work is on sale at Amazon if you want to take a peek:
p.s. More about Art Colleges from our college tours:
Applying to Art School: School of Visual Arts
and some fun stuff …
If you are visiting New York City, here are our cheap foodie finds.
45 Art Gifts for Seriously Arty Kids (by my arty daughter)
Art Competitions for Kids and Teens
Our Art Gift Kits for Arty Kids
10 Inspirational Art Books for Arty Kids
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
What a talented artist! I love that PickyKidPix is investing in his art.
Hi MaryAnne,
It’s fun to watch her at work! She got a very special discount from him!!!
Wow, what a cool trip to take with kids. So inspiring to hear children appreciating art and artists, especially investing in art pieces like PickyKidPix.
Hi Mona,
It was fun to see her eyes light up as she recognized his art as worthy of museum walls and an investment. She makes me laugh!
What a wonderful experience! Sounds amazing. I love those piles of paints…
Hi Mother of 3,
My artist daughter also was blown away by all the paint! It really left a huge impression on her as well as how much art he has produced and in a wide range of styles. I hope you get to see an exhibit by him soon. He seems to have them everywhere.
That’s a really cool studio! I like his art! 🙂
Hi Erik,
We are enjoying his art too!