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Orlando Pelaez
I studied drawing, painting and graphic design, trained by Colombian masters back in the1960s. I then migrated to NYC in the 1970s where I had the opportunity to attend some classic arts schools, especially the renowned “Art Students League of New York.” I also worked for a department store doing visual merchandising. All of this training combined made me “a Jack of all trades.” Thanks to that, I have been able to survive as an artist all these years by being able to create visual
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I studied drawing, painting and graphic design, trained by Colombian masters back in the1960s. I then migrated to NYC in the 1970s where I had the opportunity to attend some classic arts schools, especially the renowned “Art Students League of New York.” I also worked for a department store doing visual merchandising. All of this training combined made me “a Jack of all trades.” Thanks to that, I have been able to survive as an artist all these years by being able to create visual art without limitations in several mediums. That vision I had as a child when I used to draw cartoon characters, my first Prismacolor drawing contest award at the Simon Bolivar park in downtown Medellin, my elementary school teachers pulling me out of my classroom to draw class subject matters for them on their chalk boards, etc. helped me build confidence as an artist at a time when I totally struggled with my academic education, particularly math. It was obvious to my parents and teachers that I belonged in the creative world making great works of art! No question about it.
Moving to Indiana was my destiny after I met and found the love of my life, Alesa Stanley. I met my wife in NYC while she was attending Hanover College and collecting research data at the UN’s bookstore where I was working as a sales person. Indianapolis was a smaller city back then with a different atmosphere: green surroundings, clean, simple life, low cost of living and friendly. Opportunities for artists at the time were rather low however. One of my first opportunities to apply my art talent was given to me by the Hispano American Center on East Street near College and Massachusetts Avenues, where I did a series of large works depicting cultural Latin American images. I got my first full time job working for The William H. Block Co. Dept. Store in downtown Indy where I was able to develop my visual expertise further while being coached by professionals in the field; great carpenters and painters that been there since the 1940s. I did learn a lot from them! I am truly blessed to have a great family and a very supportive wife and children and to live in a community that supports the Arts even though its image is based
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About My Work:
The majority of my artworks have always revolved around the Latin American subject matter. At this point in my career, I feel that it is time to evolve and start a new chapter based on my appreciation and the romanticism I have for the American Southwest. These new works are based on my memories of childhood and a certain nostalgic echo of days gone by. I used to play cowboys and Indians on Sunday afternoons in the surrounding green hills of my home in Colombia, after the movie matinees and comic book exchanges in the theatre lobby. Are these new works my last stand? Will I ever create more Latin American works? Time can only tell, but for now I am painting and creating with my heart, fulfilling my love affair with the American Southwest.
Pricing Information: RANGES FROM: $400.00 TO $10.000
Education:
National Academy of Fine Arts, New York, NY – 1973
Art Students League of New York, New York, NY – 1973
Spanish American Institute, New York, NY – 1972
Antioquia University, B.F.A., Colombia, South America – 1969
Awards:
Best of Show, Lilly Faris Art Fair, Indianapolis, IN – 2002
Creative Renewal Fellowship Winner, Arts Council of Indianapolis – 2001
Second Place Winner, Fiesta! Indianapolis art contest – 2000
First Place Winner, Fiesta! Indianapolis art contest – 1999
Worldwide Winner, U.N. First “FIGHT AIDS WORLDWIDE” stamp competition – 1990
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