Baltazar Castellano Melo.

Jugglers of Tototepec

Baltazar Castellano Melo Guerrero, Mexico 87.4 x 35.4 in 3 parts Technique: Oil Paint on Canvas Baltazar is a plastic and visual artist who was born on November 6th, 1983 in the sta...

Large Bowl with Lace Designs. Mata Ortiz, With black background with white and gray design Chihuahua, Mexico. .

I am a multi-disciplinary artist who has professionally shown my work in dozens of galleries and museums since the late 1990s. But while my work can take many different forms, my practice is rooted in drawing. Whether I am working on the watercolor and acrylic pieces, or fiber-based pieces, every project and every idea begins with a drawing. Through that process, I lay out my ideas, ask myself questions, experiment with different options, and try to resolve all the formal and conceptual issues I will attempt in my final piece. The themes I have explored in my work from 1999 on, and even before then, have remained the same even though my style has shifted radically. I have been interested in exploring self-portraiture, personal narratives, femininity, politics, and the use of text in art. I have remained constant in my exploration of critical theory and art history, and drawn influence from artists as diverse as Joseph Beuys, Henry Darger, and Adrian Piper.

Inspired by the iconic French Fashion Brand, Chanel, this painting finds balance between realistic representation and interpretive impressions. Extensive detail interacts with loose, textured brush strokes adding visual interest up close and from a distance. With emphasis on composition, the high contrast black and white palette makes for a simple yet dramatic outcome. // Andrea Stajan...