Monthly Archives: January 2016
Orlando Vallejo “Urbanidad”
Urbanidad is a 20 x 16 inches oil on canvas executed on december, 2015. The subject matter of this painting is over an abstract composition of houses with a simple yet beautiful landscape as a subject matter. There is no specific arrangement to the composition of this work of art. I tend to believe he just painted as his imagination saw the composition inside his mind. Another thing I love is the way there is nothing natural about the way Vallejo used some bold bright colors into this painting while applying thick but very precise repetition of his brush strokes to give some order of chaos into this composition.
This painting has a nuclear blast of texture, something rarely used by Vallejo’s. Also keep in mind that the paint selected for this work was oil which at the end helps give the painting a more thick texture overall and becomes more visually stimulating when finished. Is clearly seen that the paint in this work was applied in a couple of layers starting out thin and getting more thick ending with more vibrant colors as an end result.
To me Vallejo will always be notorious for his bold, dramatic brush strokes which expressed emotion and adds a feeling of movement to all of his works, any collector can instantly recognize one of his painting because of this unique style. Urbanidad has a very diverse selection of colors with some areas of the painting somber and dark color prevail, while other are blazed with color adding a perfect balance between darkness and light.

By Joey Medrano
Note: The painting titled “Urbanidad” is from a private collection from Gurabo PR. All photo where taken with permision from the owners
Investing in Puerto Rico’s Top Artists
What is an investment? An Investment is define as time, energy, or matter spent in the hope of future benefits actualized within a specified date or time frame. In the art world, making such practice is a risk that most collector tend to make when investing on any artist with the endpoint of getting a good work that is visually pleasant and safe in its economic aspect.
Below is a list of artists who have proven to be good investments on various prestigious international auction houses with solid evidence of high hammered prices on the past, proving that in fact their works have appreciated over time.
ANGEL BOTELLO- ENOC PEREZ- ANGEL OTERO- ARNALDO ROCHE- FRANCISCO RODON.
We must understand that there are plenty of really good artist on Puerto Rico for example Luis Hernandez Cruz, Orlando Vallejo, Wichie Torres but most of them have never left there safe zone in Puerto Rico which translate to no public record of what someone is willing to pay for there work in an international market. A international market is the key for any artist to achieve high prices at auction and there current ranking.
Angel Otero is a young contemporary artist that has reach prices of $57,000 multiple times for a single painting at auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s with only 35 years of age. The Istambul Museum was rumor to have paid a whooping $150,000 dollars in 2015 for one of his painting.
Angel Botello was an artist that died in 1986 but to this date his works have proven to have great investment potential and even have increase in popularity over the pass of time specially at the top auction houses reaching prices of $397,000 dollars.
Francisco Rodon named Puerto Rico‘s most important 20th century painter at the Expo 92 World’s Fair in Seville, Spain, joining the 18th century’s José Campeche and the 19th century’s Francisco Oller have reached $302,000 dollars at Sotheby’s Auction House for one of his masterpiece painting named Puedo Retornar al Crepusculo y la Noche.
Arnaldo Roche Rabell in fact did developed a unique style, which for most artist developing a style may be there hardest task of all. His style was based on the application of layers of bright colors, which he covers with black and then rubs with a pallete knife to create dramatic and revealing images. Prices paid have reach almost $200,000 dollars at auction.

And finally Puerto Rico most expensive artist… Enoc Perez with painting reaching almost $400,000 dollars and 1 of the 100 most important artist from latin america is truely a good investment. A painter and printmaker, Perez embraces the ability to convey pleasure and beauty on the viewer. Although he works with a variety of subjects, including portraits, still lifes, and cityscapes, he is best known for capturing the utopian ideals embodied in the construction of architectural monuments.