Javier Torices is a talented Spanish artist whose works have been featured in prizes, publications, exhibitions, and collections across the country. Aiming to capture the emotions, introspection, tranquility, and harmony of the sea, he composes realistic works that maintain evidence of brushstrokes and gestures upon close inspection. This provides each painting with a sense of the undone, a visual rework of a familiar element, overall making it alive and strong, visceral, and beautiful.
We sat down with Javier Torices to talk about his current projects, inspiration, and the start of his artistic career.
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Ever since I was a child I knew I wanted to be an artist. It was innate, I felt the need to draw and paint. Also my father was a painter and I have always had him as a reference. For me, painting was a hobby and although today it has become my profession, I still enjoy it in the same way as I did when I was a child.
Can you talk about your artistic influences and other artists you are most inspired by?
I am interested in all styles as they all are intriguing to me. The important thing about a work is for it to create sensations or emotions. However, I must say that my search has always been related to realism, which connects the most with my interests.
I think I could say that all the works I have seen in my lifetime have left a mark on me. Many of these influences are not conscious or visible. Works by Egon Schiele, Lucian Freud, or Justin Mortimer do not relate that much to my work, but they are artists that have influenced my career.
Other more evident influences such as Antonio Lopez, Sorolla, or Martin Rico have also been an influence when it comes to my painting.
Do you prefer to work alone or to collaborate with others?
I prefer to work alone, it’s what I’m used to. I’ve been working this way for many years and I don’t know if I would be able to paint with other artists. Although in Spain, I have some very good friends who are painters and we have painted outdoors while sharing knowledge and experiences. However, we have not worked on a consistent basis.
Can you tell us about a project you’re currently working on?
My next project is a monographic exhibition in Gijón (Spain) in the gallery Aurora Vigil-Escalera which will be held in December. I exhibit every two years with this gallery. Next year I will make a retrospective exhibition of big format artworks in the Palacio Casa de Vacas in Madrid where I will present works of these last years loaned by
my collectors as well as new productions. All this combined with the usual commissions and works presented on SINGULART.
What do you think you would be doing if you weren’t an artist?
Well, I think this question will have almost the same answer as the first one, I discovered I wanted to be an artist as a child. As a matter of fact, I never thought about having another profession, it came to me naturally without thinking. I do not think I could dedicate myself to something else, but in the case that I had to, I think I would have a creative and independent profession.
Have you found any other artists on SINGULART whose work you admire?
Yes, there are painters like Antonio Vázquez or Rosana Sitcha who have all my respect and I think they are very good artists.
What advice would you give to young artists who are starting out?
Being an artist is a long-distance race where there are ups and downs of all kinds. You have to be constant and always keep working. You also have to believe in yourself and listen to your intuition. This profession is very beautiful and rewarding.
The most important thing is to enjoy the path of creation and the results will come on their own. The key here is hard work and passion.
