As a child, Houston native, Juan Salazar found his first artistic inspiration between the pages of comic books. He spent a decade emulating imaginary universes until a high school teacher introduced him to Van Gogh. From that point on, Juan focused more on painting and began to explore ways to utilize traditional techniques to depict subject matter that was more relevant to him.

Now an inspired Mexican impressionist, Juan uses bright colors that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but carry a message as well. Juan was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and tends to figuratively see the world in grays. In spite of that, he chooses to paint the world as he would like to see it, bright and lively! Colors aren’t just colors in his work, they are metaphors for hope and an invitation for the viewer to see the world differently as well.

Juan’s paintings have been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout Houston and he is currently working on a series entitled “Black Velvet” in which he revisits a once popular method in Mexico of painting directly onto black velvet. He is motivated to continue to use older methods as an homage to the greats in conjunction with modern day content that viewers can relate to. Whether it be Mexican culture, super heroes or landscape, Juan wants people to experience the same excitement that he does when he sees a Van Gogh. He hopes that no matter how many times they see it, it will hopefully never grow old.