Mexican Artist Guillermo Olguin
During my last visit to Oaxaca, Mexico which happens to be the Latin American Art epicenter of Mexico, I had the pleasure of not only meeting and spending time with Guillermo Olguin in his studio, I was also fortunate enough to purchase one of his works directly. Guillermo is a very warm and friendly person who cares deeply about his craft. Judging by the prices Guillermo fetches in Galleries where he exhibits, he appears to be a rising start in the Latin American Art world. His use of color and obscure subject matter give his works a uniqueness that is hard to find today. Guillermo also tends to paint in larger formats and he occasionally uses alternative materials which increases the uniqueness of his paintings. In addition to the size and scope of his works, his paintings often have an exaggerated texture which he does so well that from frontal viewing, it can be difficult to see. However from the side and up close you can clearly see great detail in his brush stokes and the way he varies the application.
The subject matter of paintings in his studio that day ranged from a bizarre self portrait (personally I loved that one) to paintings that were a result of his travels abroad and his most recognizable theme which is an obscure angel with, or on either a fish, buffalo or some other type of animal. The painting I purchased was of a winged angel on the back of a buffalo and the entire painting was in an extreme blue hue with heavy blacks and grays. Here is a photo I took from my iPhone today of this painting and to provide some perspective, this ceiling in my room was 10′ tall and there was only about 12 inches of combined free space between the frame and the ceiling up and floor down. So I estimate this painting to be in the neighborhood of 108 x 90 inches.
Guillermo was a great host and we look forward to seeing him again. Oaxaca is an amazing place with too much history for this post and the friendliest people you will ever meet.
Highly recommended ~ John
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