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Juan Flores

Surf Artist

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Juan Flores

Encinitas, California

Born in New York, NY. I grew up in Venezuela swimming, diving, surfing, paddling, and body surfing in the warm Mar Caribe.

I returned to the United States in 1980 to attend graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduation I worked for the University creating award winning guideline to protect sunlight in downtown San Francisco (ever wondered why SF high-rises after the 1980's have a tapered shape?). In 1985 I moved to Encinitas.

When I started painting I wished to paint the view as seen by a surfer floating on the line-up and waiting for the next wave. When painting a scene from the ocean vantage point I try to capture the feeling from the line-up, taking in the peace and beauty of the moment, and make it permanent. I feel that the surfer's view, looking back toward the shore, on the edge between land and ocean, is a unique perspective. In my paintings I aim to recreate the feeling of distance from the shore (from everyday life?) and the dance of sky and shore reflections on the water which is always changing with the infinity of ocean moods.

I paint with acrylics and I paint slowly; a small painting may take several weeks. I am a stickler for detail and I go back and forth with modifications until I am satisfied with the result.

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