2021 is looking very exciting for 9-year-old thriving painter Andres Valencia and his whole family as he prepares for his first solo exhibit at Chase Contemporary in New York, a rare invitation for someone his age. Determined to impress and make a lot of people smile as he presents his new collection in his upcoming exhibit later this year, Andres is pouring his heart and creativity into all his latest artworks.
Inspired by the timeless works of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso and Dutch genius Vincent van Gogh, the young artist started painting at the very young age of four. With the combined influence of George Condo, Salvador Dali and Picasso’s Cubism, Andres Valencia gravitated toward a mix of Cubism and contemporary art, using bright and bold colors to create one-of-a-kind visual wonders. His parents soon realized that the more he created artworks, the more people seemed to want to buy them. Seeing an opportunity for Andres to make a lasting impact on art collectors and enthusiasts alike, his parents supported his unique gift and gave him the freedom to express himself further.
“I am happy to have an important art gallery in New York to do a solo art show with me. The characters that I create are always disfigured with face parts in unusual places. I don’t sketch or plan my works; they just start at a certain place and end in something that makes people smile,” explains Andres Valencia.
Being forced to stay at home for a long period of time due to the threat of the pandemic proved to be a blessing in disguise for Andres as he used up most of his time concentrating on his art and creating new works in his home studio. The San Diego-based artist was inspired by the encouraging words that Retna, Risk Rock and Raphael Mazzucco, all of whom encouraged him to keep creating. Andres remembers Retna telling him that he had a great talent and that he should continue painting no matter what. Retna was one of the first well-known visual artists that he met since he started painting.
Interestingly, Andres Valencia has a very candid, casual, and relaxing approach to creating his artworks. He does not plan them ahead, nor does he make initial outlines for a particular design or theme that he wants. Instead, he allows himself to flow freely, giving the painting room to lead him to what it wants to become.
“Between my 3rd grade homework and watching TV, I create art. I want to surprise people and hope they like it. The people in my art are usually distorted but interesting. I never know what I am going to create when I start a painting, it just comes to me,” he reveals.
At a time when there are fewer children his age who take painting as a serious art form and an avenue to express one’s self, Andres is inspiring an awakening that hopefully motivates children his age to pursue painting. At the current rate that he is going, it will come as no surprise if more art galleries reach out to him for another round of solo exhibits in and out of the country. He recently made works of art for the famous boxer Ryan Garcia, and famed trainer Eddy Reynoso.
Follow Andres Valencia on Instagram for updates on his latest projects. His works are currently on display at Chase Contermorary in New York City and the Hamptons.
