Featured Artist Victoria Velozo

Australian artist Victoria Velozo combines realism and abstraction in mixed media paintings inspired by nature.

Painting of three pelicans in the water by Victoria Velozo

“All for One” Oil and Charcoal on Canvas, 110cm x 110cm

 

I want to create a subconscious connection to the environment. I believe viewing a painting of nature evokes an intuitive reminder of the fragility and sacredness of the natural world.

 

Painting of several black and brown birds in a tree by Victoria Velozo

“Handful of Gold” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage, 50cm x 70cm

 

My own personal style involves continuously creating tension in the artwork. I achieve this through the combined use of premeditated realism and abstract improvisation. Realism is used as a measure of my ability and the abstract work displays my artistic expression.

 

Painting of two crows in tall grass by Victoria Velozo

“Chief Kidder” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage, 50cm x 70cm

 

I also create tension in the painting though a juxtaposition of styles, by combining a range of traditional mediums such as oil, watercolour and acrylic paint together in the same painting. I particularly enjoy the contrast of the vividness of the oil paint against the softness of the watercolour.

 

Painting of two black and white birds with some smaller brown birds against a green background by Victoria Velozo

“Two’s Company” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage, 70cm x 50cm

 

Often the final varnish is also used as a tool to create contrast with ultra-gloss used alongside matte varnish. I believe this technique serves to make a powerful painting and stamps my own style.

 

Painting of an eagle in the sky by Victoria Velozo

“Mighty Eagle Soaring High” Oil and Charcoal on Canvas, 110cm x 110cm

 

When beginning a new work, I create the backgrounds first. They represent an abstract version of an environmental landscape in which the featured animal will be placed. I work quickly in this stage, often utilising water, sponges, collage and layering. I believe this evokes a sense of movement and depth.

 

Painting of a black tropical bird by Victoria Velozo

“Fable of the Famous” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage and Varnish, 60cm x 90cm

 

Next I use watercolour to create the smaller creatures and birds which will be hidden in the background of the scene. Finally, I sketch and paint in the main feature, usually a bird, as the focal point of the painting. Other than the realistic feature, I try not to have too much of a developed, preconceived idea of what I want the painting to look like when I begin.

 

Painting of three birds on a branch by Victoria Velozo

“Destiny’s Sky” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage and Varnish, 90cm x 60cm

 

I believe the catalyst for becoming an artist was when I was eight years old. My father turned one of the walls in our playroom into a giant blackboard. After this, it wasn’t long before I was creating storyboards, portraits of favourite dolls and murals of life-sized animals set in various landscapes. Through this I believe I was inadvertently developing skills in structure, depth, composition and accuracy.

 

Painting of two crows by Victoria Velozo

“Stone the Crows” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage, 70cm x 50cm

 

Around this same time, my family embarked on a journey of several months around Europe and the United Kingdom in a camper van. I was able to see firsthand the museums and architecture which displayed the works of the great masters. I was being home-schooled throughout this journey. My schoolwork was to write about the sculptures, paintings and architectural styles of the monuments in the countries we visited. Through this I gained my first influences in sculpture, figurative painting and landscapes. I was introduced to critical analysis and art history.

 

Painting of an owl and other birds by Victoria Velozo

“Cry of Achilles” Oil on Canvas with Watercolour Collage, 70cm x 50cm

 

Throughout high school I chose every possible subject related to art. In my final year, I had two artworks selected for a very prestigious exhibition held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. This exhibition also traveled to all the regional city galleries in Australia for eleven months.

 

Artist Victoria Velozo with her paintings

Artist Victoria Velozo with her paintings

 

The exposure gained through this exhibition then allowed me a direct placement into the Creative Arts programme at Wollongong University, where I received my Bachelor of Creative Arts degree. This was the beginning of my journey into exhibitions. It has more recently allowed me to be represented by three galleries in China. My work is collected internationally, with works now residing in Oman, Hong Kong, Sydney, Amsterdam, London and California.

Artist Victoria Velozo invites you to follow her on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Saatchi Art. View more by visiting her website.

Link to Carolyn’s original article here.

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