Artist sticks with it
By Susan Pugh on Dec. 06, 2007
By Aaron Lee, The Burg
Seven years ago Luis Lozano’s interest in fine art amounted to doodling stick figures.
Today, the California transplant is an award-winning oil painter living in Amherst.
Most of his first show, on display at Artifacts gallery in Lynchburg, is what many people in the area might find familiar: like his take on the Monacan Museum or scenes from the annual James River Batteau Festival.
“I like to pick subjects that people can actually relate to,” Lozano said.
But while familiar, Lozano’s work is resonating with people who find comfort in his take on the everyday — like the historic Amherst Mill work. His piece sold almost as soon as the paint was dry.
Originally from Mexico, Lozano moved to California, where as a youth he read about United States history.
But when he came to Virginia he was surrounded by the history he’d only known about through books, and it inspired him to paint, he said.
It was that connection with history, and one with fellow painter Shelby Roberts whom he credits with encouraging his work early on.
Roberts — an Amherst resident who died a year and a half ago — was a member of an artists’ group with Lozano called “Splotches,” which met in the basement of Roberts’ home.
Since the basement days, Lozano has sold his first painting — a study of an eyeball — and in September won Best in Show at the Amherst Art Show with his oil on canvas painting “Egrets Without Regrets.”
“It’s not so much that I’m putting the paint on,” Lozano said. “It’s more that I’m peeling the white canvas off.”
Learn more about Lozano and see some of his most recent work by visiting http://www.luislozano.com.
Aaron Lee is managing editor of The New Era-Progress in Amherst
COMMENTS
Any one who enjoys Lozano’s work should check out Luis Lozano’s take on the Texas Inn. A historical and familiar eatery located at the entrance to Rivermont avenue in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Lozano’s limited edition prints are reasonably priced and available in all sizes at his website. Or e-mail him
People have also began to collect Lozano’s work. His Batteau’s made a really big splash at June’s Batteau Festival which is when ABC 13 used LAUNCHING A NATION as a part of their coverage for the Lynch’s Landing Batteau Festival.
The Batteau’s have been selling quite briskly for Lozano through the Lynchburg gallery in Lynchburg, Va.
Lozano’s prints are also exceptionally clear, I for one own an original work by Luis Lozano and plan to purchase many more. I am after one of those limited edition Texas Inn’s too.