My first piece in a series which has a tentative title of “Layers”. It follows a bit on my previous body of work, Changes, which dealt with an abstract view of our lives has they go from dreams, goals to reality. This series in a way will deal more with how we are, beings of multiple layers, with good, bad, happiness and sadness. As we explore our lives paths with acquire different experiences, which mold us into our present selves. I hope to do it justice.
Artist Statement 2026
Jorge R. Gonzalez
Why I started, what has and still inspires me, and why I’m on this Journey.
Like most visual artists I enjoyed doodling throughout my adolescence since most classes in school tended to be rather boring to me. This led to using the sides of my composition papers for my daydreaming canvas. Entering high school my heart was set on becoming an airplane mechanic with the goal of one day working in an aircraft carrier. This became my dream and my three years of high school were focused on attending aviation school with the main field of study sheetmetal work. But the last year of the aviation mechanic curriculum caused a disheartening effect on me which led me to change careers and devote my efforts as I entered college into obtaining a degree in the optical field. Part of the reasoning was that one of my uncles had already set up an optical store and wanted me to eventually work for him. But a few minor events, wanting to get married at a young age of nineteen caused me to look into something more fulfilling and a passion for the arts awoke in me. Needless to say the marriage side quest was left by the wayside and art classes became my focus starting with drawing which led to printmaking, then photography, painting, which eventually after years of study became a BFA with a major in sculpture. Painting and photography would always follow me but my true passion was conceptual sculptures.
After graduating from the university I started my career in the fine arts, setting up a studio and working on creating art work that would communicate, touch and move an audience. But life has a way of making one’s plans sometimes take turns and paths that are not part of our goals. Actually the series that I just finished is a reflection of this, “Changes” a twenty piece exploration on the fulfilment of dreams and goals and of not achieving those dreams and goals. I found myself in the year 1993 meeting a wonderful woman that would not only become my life long partner in marriage but she would also share with me the most important life changing gift a man could find, she introduced me to the Gospel. This turning point in my life, at the end of 1993 would become the key element to my happiness, the happiness that I had been looking, longing for had arrived and within a few months I would be baptized, filled with the Holy Ghost and be living the most wonderful times in my life. By mid 1994 I had asked this wonderful woman to be my bride and 8 months later we would be starting our journey together, not only in marriage but in the ministry, reaching out and sharing the wonders of God. By this time the art studio was non-existent and my art was nowhere to be found. My dreams and goals had totally changed and working in the kingdom of God was all that mattered. Plus providing for a growing family became the number one reason to dedicate myself to a “normal” job.
As time passed my wife and I became more involved in the missions field and eventually helped in the building and establishing a Church in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Mexico. My only connection to the arts would be taking portraits of Church members and occasional weddings. Photography had always been there for me but the subject matter changed.
As the years passed I found myself yearning to use my abilities to once again take up canvas and brushes to communicate to an audience. But in contrast to the dark, depressing, introverted work that I was creating during my school years and into my studio time I would gravitate to a more joyful expression. No longer tied to the occult, to the darkness that oppressed me I could explore color, happiness, and joy in my work and its reflection of the beautiful world that surrounds us. Black finds very little existence in my work, while purple and gold excel. I explore different themes, but many will reflect my view of God’s wonderful creation and this wonderful journey we call life.. Both highlighting the beauty and fragility of creation and life is part of my work.
One of my favorite verses is James 4:14
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
My last painting in the series Changes has part of this verse as the title,
“Changes XX: But a Vapour” And that is something that drives me everyday, both in my natural, spiritual and artistic life, the short time we have to live at the fullest. That is what inspires me, pushes me to both live and create.
Calmness in the Process
There are certain moments in my life that provide me with an exceptional time to create. It might seem strange to some to hear that I was up until 3:00 a.m. working on a piece. But after raising a family, providing for them, instructing them, and most importantly making sure that their spiritual needs were met, I found myself looking for any time along that could be used to create. So through out the years, 31 years of marriage and counting, I learned that the 10:00pm to the wee hours of the night/morning provided the best time for my creative juices to work. It was in these late times that I was able to find Calmness in the Process. It was in these times when the air was still, the background noise ceased and I could then focus on creating. This latest piece Changes XVIII: Winter’s Glow, is almost finished. After I filmed this short video last night I continued to add to it, and now I’m very close to being done both with this piece and the Series Changes. Where am I going next? Not sure, a few things are in mind, but no commitment yet on any.
#artist #art #life #changes #creative #cuban artist
Changes XIII: All Thy Waves And Thy Billows Are Gone Over Me.
Changes X: It Skipped a Generation.
Delve into the intricate world of this artwork, where each circle, varying in size and color, creates a captivating microcosm. At first glance, a subtle row of concentric circles emerges from the deep plum hues, urging viewers to explore further. The intentional arrangement playfully challenges expectations, as the circles transition from orderly to a chaotic burst, redefining perceptions with each gaze. Through a rich color scheme and pattern variation, the piece connects with universal themes of order and chaos. It ignites curiosity and thought about life’s complexities, capturing the ebb and flow of human emotion within its carefully crafted design.
Part of the Changes Series started in 2025 as a exploration of the ever changing, developing goals, aspirations and dreams that we have in this wonderful experience called Life.
“Changes IX”
It was initially inspired by the observance of a utility van with a business signed pasted to the door. As I observed the sign I noticed that it had worn out with the original words and image faded. My mind was taken to the initial time when the sign had been placed on the vehicle and along with the dreams of the owner looking to fulfill them through his business. The condition of the sign was showing the wear of years of pushing to fulfill the goals, dreams and aspirations of self employment along with the freedom and also the responsibilities and burdens that it brings.
This train of thoughts took me to my own life situations and those that many of us passing through this amazing thing called life go through. With these thoughts I set out to work on a series of pieces that would express this concept of starting with dreams and either seeing them fulfill or come to naught.
Below is a short video showing the finished painting. Also here is a link to other finished similar pieces.
Work in Progress: Changes.
Still a bit to go. It was initially inspired by the observance of a utility van with a business signed pasted to the door. As I observed the sign I noticed that it had worn out with the original words and image faded. My mind was taken to the initial time when the sign had been placed on the vehicle and along with the dreams of the owner looking to fulfill them through his business. The condition of the sign was showing the wear of years of pushing to fulfill the goals, dreams and aspirations of self employment along with the freedom and also the responsibilities and burdens that it brings.
This train of thoughts took me to my own life situations and those that many of us passing through this amazing thing called life go through. With these thoughts I set out to work on a series of pieces that would express this concept of starting with dreams and either seeing them fulfill or come to naught.
Below is a short video showing part of the process. Also here is a link to other finished similar pieces.
6 Months of Inspirations and Finished Works
Death Never Stops
A fish constructed from bold colors and transparent skeletal form defies expectations while revealing unity. Where rich purple bones encounter the bright orange body, two aspects converge. On the left, muted blues and soft textures suggest a layered quality, while the right introduces structured polka dots against a lighter blue, conveying playfulness and order. Light and color merge effectively, with shadows and highlights enhancing contrast. As future viewers experience this contrast, will they perceive a metaphor for transformation or a playful exploration of form and color? This depiction invites ongoing discoveries and connections.
A continuation of the series of Changes, this piece is titled Death Never Stops refereeing to how all living beings will eventually face death. There is no place to run or hide from Death.
