Onésimo Colavidas
_ Self-portrait
_ Self-portrait
ONÉSIMO COLAVIDAS: Amour d'esthète
Nicola Jackman-Anthony
Journalist
Editor Diplomacia & Protocol
Journalist
Editor Diplomacia & Protocol
* He studied Fine arts in Barcelona and at the age of 16 years he was already applying his knowledge and feelings in window-dressing, as well as creating a colour-trend chart for a well known Spanish company. In the meantime, his anxieties to carry on learning took him to the Continental Ine. School, in Los Angeles, followed by studies in different art academies of Barcelona. Two years later, his work appears on the front covers of important publishing houses, promoting the works of authors such as Louis L'Amour, TV.Olsen or Will Cook.
Member of different international panels of juror, Colavidas begins to obtain the professional recognition that he deserves. Among many awards, he receives the highly acclaimed Laus Oro of Fomento de las Artes Decorativas (Laus Oro of the Promotion of the Decorative Arts, Spain), providing him with the impulse to enter the world market. His works are chosen by Public Administrations as well as international companies. Onésimo Colavidas exhibits in different art galleries, both in Barcelona and abroad, mainly Europe.
Tell me a little about this new series of paintings you are working on?
My last phase is to try and combine colours and shapes to achieve simple and relaxing paintings; they are figurative and abstract. The colours possess a personal beauty that is necessary to maintain, in the same manner that music is conserved through tones and notes.
What feelings do you wish to awaken with your work?
My objective, as a painter, is to achieve harmony, and if necessary change colours from reality and awaken positive feelings that are a gift to the sight.
Which artists have influenced you most?
The excellence of Velazquez; the perfect sculptures of Michelangelo; the colours of Miró & Matisse, his versatility and that of Picasso,together with the graphic designs of Tàpies. But speaking about modern art, without a doubt it is Cézanne to whom I most owe. He was a model to be followed by many great contemporary artists.
Could we describe you as a Mediterranean artist?
Without a doubt yes! There is nothing more beautiful than to be born in the Mediterranean, surrounded by a light, colours, a sun and a sea, all of them unique.
If you had to spend a whole month alone on a desert island, and you could only take with you six items, what would you take?
I would take two boxes of water colours, graphite pencils, two brushes and a pad of thick paper to use the watercolours. The reason why is quite obvious. I constantly need to "create". It is what I most enjoy. "Is a painting but an incessant exploration and at the same time the most exciting of the adventures?"(Matisse).
My last phase is to try and combine colours and shapes to achieve simple and relaxing paintings; they are figurative and abstract. The colours possess a personal beauty that is necessary to maintain, in the same manner that music is conserved through tones and notes.
What feelings do you wish to awaken with your work?
My objective, as a painter, is to achieve harmony, and if necessary change colours from reality and awaken positive feelings that are a gift to the sight.
Which artists have influenced you most?
The excellence of Velazquez; the perfect sculptures of Michelangelo; the colours of Miró & Matisse, his versatility and that of Picasso,together with the graphic designs of Tàpies. But speaking about modern art, without a doubt it is Cézanne to whom I most owe. He was a model to be followed by many great contemporary artists.
Could we describe you as a Mediterranean artist?
Without a doubt yes! There is nothing more beautiful than to be born in the Mediterranean, surrounded by a light, colours, a sun and a sea, all of them unique.
If you had to spend a whole month alone on a desert island, and you could only take with you six items, what would you take?
I would take two boxes of water colours, graphite pencils, two brushes and a pad of thick paper to use the watercolours. The reason why is quite obvious. I constantly need to "create". It is what I most enjoy. "Is a painting but an incessant exploration and at the same time the most exciting of the adventures?"(Matisse).
* Synthesis of the interview carried out by Nicola Jackman-Anthony to Onésimo Colavidas in Barcelona, 2007