painting:
In his painting practice Juan M. Villanueva implores a varied use of media, techniques and content. His imagery ranges from the metamorphic to the starkly minimal. Typical media used includes: acrylic, oils, resin, industrial paints, markers, plaster, pastels and botanical extracts.
The Tower
From the Tarot Major Arcana Series, The Tower depicts a smoldering tree. The trunk is painted with a whitewash commonly used in South Texas, in particular occurring seasonally during the Easter season, as a method for both design and a deterrent to insects. The medium included diatomaceous earth, adding to the symbolic layering, as diatomaceous earth is used as an organic insecticide.
Sunyata: Contemplation of Matter
This piece came about thinking and researching the movement of chemicals/energy in the brains synapsis. I was interested in the idea of what that would look like contemplating matter. Especially as it relates to the various forms that matter takes; as well as the physiological dichotomy where either "Nothing Matters" or conversely "Everything Matters". The Buddhist philosophy examination of this is referred to as Sunyata.
Coherence
The documented process of creating the painting. This piece speaks to working on achieving heart & mind coherence for the artist in the mist of the (pandemic) storm.
The Ego is Cunning
The documented process involved in the painting showing the multiple iterations of this piece, each of which had a life of their own; all of which were covered up and still lead to the finaliized surface.
Pisado
In a four month process of the piece as it lie on the floor. In a series adding thin layers of paint, plaster and floral media in a performative style Villanueva captures these moment sharing them via his Instagram account. The piece speaks to issues of value, working class, repeating patterns, worth and exposure. The finished canvas serves as evidence of the past process.
The Tower 58” x 54” Acrylic, Soil, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 2024
'Unknown: DiviNation' 58” x 54” Acrylic, Soil, Chili Flakes, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth, Spray Paint, Ink on Linen 2024
'Non-Duality: Ra' 20” x 20” x 2.5" Acrylic, Plaster, Soil, Diatomaceous Earth, Stainless Spoon on Panel 2024
'Non-Duality: Horus' 20” x 20” x 2.5" Acrylic, Plaster, Soil, Diatomaceous Earth, Stainless Spoon on Panel 2024
'The Sun:EnTerraDo' 53” x 50” Acrylic, Soil, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Linen 2024
'The Hermit' 53” x 51” Acrylic, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Linen 2024
'Coherence' 56” x 58” Acrylic, chili flakes, rose petals on linen 2022
'The Ego is Cunning' 73" x 40" acrylic, plaster on linen 2022
'Sunyata: Contemplation of Matter' 54” x 58” Acrylic, plaster, on upholstery linen 2022
'Lechuza:Ascention' 24" x 37" acrylic, plaster on panel 2023
'Three of Swords' 24” x 36” Triptych Acrylic, Plaster, Soil, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 2024
'Flinch Not, Knot Up, Nut Up' 18" x 34" oil pastels, acrylic pen, acrylic, plaster on paper 2023
'Dogma' 24” x 30” acrylic on canvas 2021
'La Llorona: The world burns & yet this river fills with tears' 34” x 38” acrylic on linen 2021
'Vibration' 27.5” x 50” charcoal, acrylic, wax on linen with custom iron frame 2022
'Doler 2020/2021' 24” x 23” (dyptych) charcoal, graphite, acrylic on linen with custom oak & brass frames 2021
'Suenos Repetidos' 38” x 34” acrylic, plaster, red earth clay, pastels, charcoal, wax on linen 2021
'Recuerda las Rosas' 38” x 42” acrylic, plaster, pastels on linen with custom oak & brass frame 2021
'Pisado' 63” x 32” acrylic, plaster on linen mounted on reclaimed wood 2020
'Suenos de Campo' 63” x 60” acrylic on linen 2020
'From the Work Bench' 8” x 11” acrylic, pen & ink, pastel & pencil on paper 2019
'Trinity' 30” x 30” acrylic, resin on panel 2019
'Polka Dot Begonia' Acrylic, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 24" x 36" 2023
'Black Begonia' Acrylic, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 24" x 36" 2024
'Persimmons' Acrylic, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 24" x 36" 2023
'Black Dahlias' Acrylic, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 24" x 36" 2023
'Begonia: Alone Seated' Acrylic, Plaster, Diatomaceous Earth on Canvas 24" x 26" 2023