The Vault: Jorge A. Saenz - Urban Echoes

Artist Statement:

“As a metaphoric abstract artist, I use feelings, emotions, and nature to convey a state of mind. My works intentions are to go deep into the soul and extract the essence of thought through color, texture,and mood. I hint at the romantic with a dash of melancholy pulling at heart strings in the process. There is beauty in a little sadness, it makes us cherish the joyful moments life gives us. Through applications of color and manipulation with solvent washes, I can bring back to the surface hidden treasures that live beneath the layers, of paint, textures, and markings. All of these comprise the structure of the work.”

Artist Bio:

Jorge grew up just a few blocks from Haight-Ashbury in 1960s San Francisco, where he was exposed to countless explosions of art and culture that fostered his love for painting early on in his childhood. Jorge is a mixture of formal and self-taught training which he was able to tap in when he took his first position in the field of visual merchandising. It was while he was creating window displays and backdrops that he found his voice, his career spanned several decades working for high end establishments until he retired in 2015. He has always been committed to his artwork and most days can be found enhancing and refining his unique methodology at his studio in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Relying on his ever-evolving concept of color fields, he has hand-carved his own niche in the abstract realm, drawing inspiration from prolific artists like De Kooning, Rothko and Frankenthaler. A close glance at his work reveals multiple layers of shapes, patterns, and color fluctuation, often complemented with translucent drips and his unique shapes which he has spent years cultivating. Commonly inspired by social causes, Jorge’s unapologetic use of various mediums and contrasting color temperatures hint at his romantic approach to abstraction. His work has been described as mixture of fiery shapes both masculine and feminine at the same time.

Over the years, Jorge’s work has been featured in local and national exhibitions where he has earned distinctions for the work presented. His artworks are sought after by collectors and grace many homes in the U.S. and abroad. He enjoys teaching his techniques and has done so at d’Art Center in Norfolk and the Virginia Beach Art Center. Currently, he most enjoys perfecting his approach to cold wax and oil and is continuing his education with cold wax artists Rebecca Crowell, and Jerry McLaughlin.

Jorge is currently the Art Curator for the Virginia Beach Art Center where he installs monthly exhibits that highlight seasoned and upcoming artists from the Hampton Roads area and beyond.

www.jorgeasaenzabstractartist.com
@jorgeasaenzabstractartist