Original artwork description:

This artwork is finished with a high gloss using high-quality epoxy resin.

When I started painting SWIMMERS in 2019 due to my passion for triathlons, I realize that that swimmer going against the grain was me, feeling the purpose for which I've come to this life, without being vulnerable to the comments of those who cross our path IN THE SEA OF LIVE.

In 2022, I began to feel an inner state of less struggle as I solidified my profession as an artist. I wanted to understand how to create perfectly defined silhouettes that would merge using pigmented epoxy resin, so I dedicated 19 months to trial and error. In UNDERWATER, there's a swimmer seen from within the water—an ethereal figure nestled in the corner of the painting, transparent and brought to life with the application of 3D varnish. The layers of colours in UNDERWATER come together to symbolize the dance of rays of light penetrating the water, capturing the profound tranquillity experienced while diving into THE SEA OF LIVE.

Although SWIMMERS has reached over 300 collectors from 34 different countries and has been exhibited in New York, Hong Kong, Taiwan, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Hamburg, and several other major cities, I always have the feeling that this new life I have dared to live as an artist has done nothing but begin. I will rest only when the message conveyed by SWIMMERS and UNDERWATER reaches the world. A statement that reminds us that we must be ourselves authentically and honestly, following our most personal instinct.

I love how the ocean, the sea, represents life's behaviour, with its water full of current and temperature changes. Sometimes a rainbow appears in the background, or we look to the other side and see the coast, the sand, the waves, and palm trees. At times, we have a light gifted by the sun with a clear blue sky, while other times, we have an overcast sky and rain.

Three artists have had the most significant influence on my artistic career:

CARLA SA FERNANDES - Thanks to her, I paint. During the summer of 2017, while enjoying a vacation at the beach, I discovered her art and vibrant colours. When I realized she was making a living selling her art online, I wondered if I could do the same.

JUAN GENOVÉS - His collection "Multitudes" will always be the work that caught my attention the most when I saw it in person. When you learn about Juan's history and experiences and understand why people run into his paintings, a more profound connection is felt with his work.

PETER ZIMMERMANN - On a technical level, epoxy resin is the most elegant and challenging-to-control element I know, and that challenge has always excited me.
All my works from the SWIMMERS and UNDERWATER collections are created using high-quality water-based enamel and epoxy resin with a high gloss finish.
SWIMMERS is a collection where many swimmers are heading towards the same point, except for one swimmer. Typically, they swim in a blue sea, which could be light blue or shades of darker blues, or even the most popular choice, turquoise or aquamarine. Recently, I've been painting gradient seas, which have caught the attention of many collectors.

On the other hand, UNDERWATER, with its lone transparent swimmer in one corner, depicts a phase of life that is more colourful, intense, and less noisy. In this collection, I work with all colours: Red, Crimson, Scarlet, Vermilion, Rust, Maroon, Burgundy, Tomato, Firebrick, Coral, Salmon, Tangerine, Apricot, Peach, Gold, Amber, Lemon, Mustard, Chartreuse, Lime, Olive, Emerald, Jade, Teal, Cyan, Turquoise, Aqua, Sky Blue, Cobalt Blue, Navy Blue, Royal Blue, Indigo, Denim, Periwinkle, Lavender, Lilac, Orchid, Violet, Mauve, Magenta, Fuchsia, Hot Pink, Rose, Beige, Tan, Khaki, Camel, Champagne, Ivory, Cream, Almond, Sand, Wheat, Mocha, Chocolate, Coffee, Mahogany, Auburn, Sienna, Terracotta, Copper, Bronze, Brass, Gold, Silver, Pewter, Charcoal, Slate, Steel, Smoke, Ebony, Jet Black, Onyx, Pearl, Ivory, Cream, Eggshell, Snow, Cotton, Linen, Parchment, Paper, Bone, Antique White, Seashell, Misty Rose, Blush, Champagne, Ecru, Oyster, Coral, Salmon, Flamingo, Bubble-gum, Watermelon, Melon, Cinnamon, Spice, Cedar, Henna, Garnet, Ruby, Cranberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Marmalade, Rust, Autumn, Pumpkin, Terracotta.

I accept commission orders, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work, because I connect with the imagery of the person who has associated with SWIMMERS or UNDERWATER.
In the same way, this was the mental exercise I did one day when I shaped Swimmers: thinking about everything that conveyed relaxation and wonderful life to me. The image of swimming in transparent water, where my shadow was visible on the bottom, appeared in my mind. Over time, I've been collecting all those words my clients tell me when they shape their SWIMMERS, including these and many more: Ocean, Sea, Beach, Shore, Sand, Waves, Surf, Tide, Coral, Seashells, Seagulls, Palm trees, Sun, Sky, Horizon, Sailboats, Yachts, Swimsuit, Bikini, Trunks, Diving, Snorkelling, Flippers, Float, Lagoon, Reef, Tanning, Lifeguard, Seaside, Coastline, Shells, Beachball, Sandcastle, Starfish, Pebbles, Conch, Buoy, Boardwalk, Jetty, Pebbles, Marine, Aqua, Turquoise, Navy, Sky blue, Sandy beige, Sun-kissed gold, Coral pink, Seagrass green, Shell white. I can paint many of these, while others I can't, but I seek a way for the painting to take your mind to that moment or place that's important to you.

In the case of UNDERWATER, there's less connection with the sea and swimming; however, the conversation revolves more around emotions: Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Joy, Fear, Surprise, Love, Anxiety, Gratitude, Confusion, Shame, Guilt, Hope, Empathy, Jealousy, Pride, Boredom, Astonishment, Satisfaction, Appreciation, Insecurity, Doubt, Euphoria, Disbelief, Frustration, Caution, Serenity, Irritation, Affection, Desperation, Admiration, Overwhelm, Curiosity, Melancholy, Pain, Excitement, Indifference, Longing, Restlessness, Resignation, Envy, Attachment, Apathy, Gratefulness. Yet often, conversations arise about memories of what the colours convey. Childhood stories, forest landscapes, greens that bring peace, or many times, in my more vibrant UNDERWATER pieces with warmer or electric colours, notes of the energy surface. "Rubén, this painting gives me energy, the desire to do everything in one day, to enjoy it all to the fullest."

I want to thank ARTFINDER in this text because they were the first platform to believe in me and provide my first sales. It was in June 2018 that I started uploading my paintings to this platform, which has brought me so much joy, and I'm delighted with their team and working formula.

Materials used:

Hight quality enamel and acrylic paint on "High" Density Fiber HDF

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