oil paintings
Another look at Finger Painting…….
During the late 60's and early 70's, the world saw the birth of a new and exciting artistic technique. Around this time, artists would gather in the afternoons and evenings along several touristic places in Mexico to create beautiful pieces of art using pencils, pens and aerosol paints. However, Jorge Lopez Avila - who at that time was around 20 years old - started to use his own fingers to create his pieces. His unique oil paintings attracted the attention of many onlookers, leaving them dumbfounded by the beauty and detail he managed to capture using only his fingers and nails. His paintings mainly featured beautiful scenes of life in small coastal towns, breathtaking views of the Mexican sunsets, even dolphins swimming under the light of the moon.
But that's not all! These oil paintings weren't made on a normal canvas, but on plates! Jorge Lopez was able to make one of these paintings in just 5 minutes, which helped him to become - slowly but surely - one of the main tourist attractions. Word of his talent spread and it wasn't long before the hotels in Mexico began to ask him to stop by in the evenings, so that guests could see him working by the pool area or the guest lobby. He attracted both locals and vacationers alike at these sessions.
Not long after his initial success, Lopez imparted the knowledge behind his technique to his closest family and friends. This provided them with not only a way to make some money, but also a way to allow this type of Mexican artwork to spread around the world.
The first one of the Lopez family that exported this technique over seas was my Father Antonio Lopez Avila, to Europe and Canada, he was the pioneer to perform this Art to a maximum level with his very own style: sea life, incredible sunsets and a very good sense of humor.
My family has spread the legacy of the Lopez's finger painting technique to all corners of Mexico, my uncle Jorge Lopez still resides in Puerto Vallarta. In fact, it was so popular that he opened a gallery in town! My Dad Antonio lives in Mazatlan as one of the most renowned painters in the area. Their techniques have advanced and evolved over the years.
My name is Israel Lopez Arenas and I had been the first one of my family to move out of Mexico and export this art in more than 5 countries. I have been painting for more than 12 years for art exhibitions, vendor fests, resorts, restaurants, galleries, private exhibitions in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Spain and Germany. I am painting here for you representing my family legacy and I proudly reside now here in IOWA, taking the technique to a higher level and turning it into my professional career. I enjoy living here with my beautiful family, painting sceneries all over the Midwest. Hopefully one of my two babies turn into an Artist like me… but I got to tell you they already love to paint all over the walls with Mommy’s lipstick!!!
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS ART
