In his vibrant compositions, Los Angeles-based artist Johnny Quintanilla creates dreamlike scenes by combining organic forms with recognizable, everyday objects. The works are full of symbolism, exploring such themes as solitude and connection, change and acceptance, neglect and conservation, and cultural pride and assimilation. While the objects depicted often hold deep personal meaning for the artist, he invites viewers to draw their own conclusions. The showcase of Quintanilla's watercolors and drawings in the Payson Library Exhibit Gallery at Pepperdine University Libraries in 2024 was the artist's first solo exhibition at an academic institution.
