Andres Lopez
**Artist Statement**
Andres Lopez approaches art as a dialogue between past and present—a bridge connecting memory, migration, and identity. Born in El Salvador and shaped by resilience, he transforms classical references from masters like Da Vinci, Velázquez, Cézanne, and Van Gogh into deeply personal reinterpretations. Through portraiture and figure studies, he restores dignity and individuality to subjects often overlooked or constrained by history, reimagining them with empathy and vitality.
Working primarily in pastel, paint, and mixed media, Lopez’s work is rooted in both technical mastery and emotional truth. His reinterpretations—such as his *Young Mona Lisa* or *The Card Players* as dwarfs—invite viewers to reconsider notions of beauty, power, and humanity. Each piece becomes an act of reclamation and transformation, turning inherited narratives into new visual languages.
Young Mona Lisa. pastel on paper.(8.5x11) 2025
A Vibrant Rebirth captures the essence of Leonardo’s muse with striking audacity. Through vivid pastels, I breathe life into her enigmatic smile, transforming it into a bold expression of modernity. This piece is a daring fusion of tradition and innovation, inviting viewers to explore the depths of beauty, humor, and the timeless allure of curiosity through a radiant, contemporary lens.
Card Players after(Cezanne).pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
In this reinterpretation of Cézanne’s *The Card Players*, I recasts the figures as dwarfs—imbuing them with renewed dignity and presence. Through bold form and luminous color, I reveal the poetry within their stillness, inviting viewers to see not stature, but humanity, resilience, and the quiet majesty of being seen.
The Dancer after(Botero).pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
*The Dancer* pays homage to Botero’s *Dancer at the Bar*, reimagined through the artist’s own playful and intimate lens. With graceful volume and tender humor, the pastel celebrates movement, confidence, and individuality—transforming the familiar into a poetic dance of form, color, and self-expression.
Man with Hat .pastel on paper. (8.5x11)2025
This pastel painting portrays a man with a hat reimagined as a dwarf with Olmec features. Merging ancient strength with contemporary presence, the work celebrates identity, heritage, and resilience—revealing dignity and mystery through the softness of pastel and the quiet power of his gaze.
Self Portrait in the Studio pastel on paper. (8.5x11)2025
In this pastel *Self-Portrait in the Studio*, I envision myself as a dwarf—caricaturesque yet deeply human. Barefoot, with a palette in one hand and a brush in the other, I stand amid the silence of creation. The work radiates humor, vulnerability, and soulful intensity—a poetic meditation on the artist’s spirit, both fragile and indomitable.
My daughter and her Cat .pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
In this pastel *Self-Portrait in the Studio*, I envision myself as a dwarf—caricaturesque yet deeply human. Barefoot, with a palette in one hand and a brush in the other, I stand amid the silence of creation. The work radiates humor, vulnerability, and soulful intensity—a poetic meditation on the artist’s spirit, both fragile and indomitable.
Perseus with the Head of Medusa.pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
Perseus with the Head of Medusa*, after Benvenuto Cellini, becomes a mirror for our turbulent times—a symbol of reflection and protest. Through bold pastel strokes, the myth transforms into a contemporary allegory, confronting power, fear, and the courage to face the monsters we create and become.
Boy Leading a Horse after (Picasso).pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
Inspired by Picasso’s *Boy Leading a Horse*, this pastel reimagines the scene through a stylized lens, portraying the figures with dwarfism features. The work transforms the classical grace of the original into a poignant study of strength and vulnerability, celebrating beauty, difference, and the timeless bond between humanity and nature.
El Pana (bullfighter).pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
A humble tribute to the legend of the Sorcerer of Apizaco—*El Pana*, the last romantic of bullfighting. This work honors his spirit of passion and defiance, capturing the poetry, solitude, and timeless grace of an artist who turned the arena into a stage for the soul.
San Simon.pastel on paper.(8.5x112025
This pastel painting of San Simón, the Mayan saint, evokes the mystery of a syncretic spirit—part ancient deity, part Catholic protector. Cloaked in smoke and ritual, he drinks rum and smokes cigars, embodying the sacred and the profane, a powerful guardian between worlds.
Man With Bandaged Ear after (Van Gogh).pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
In this pastel reinterpretation of *Man with bandaged Ear* after Van Gogh self portrait, I reimagine the figure as a Native American—an emblem of endurance and transformation. Vivid strokes and glowing hues turn anguish into quiet strength, weaving a powerful reflection on identity, memory, and the indomitable spirit that transcends suffering.
Postman after(Van Gogh).pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
In this pastel reinterpretation of Van Gogh’s *Postman*, I transform the iconic figure into a stylized dwarf, alive with vibrant color and expressive rhythm. Through this work, I celebrate human diversity and individuality—honoring Van Gogh’s compassion while reimagining it through my own poetic lens of difference, dignity, and inner light.
Juan de Pareja after Velasquez.pastel on paper.(8.5x11)2025
In my pastel version of Juan de Pareja, I reimagine Velázquez’s subject as a dwarf — almost caricaturesque, yet never stripped of his dignity.
Through color and form, I celebrate resilience, individuality, and the timeless power of being seen beyond difference.