From his native Madrid to Vancouver, Canada, Jose has chased the light with his brushes along with a career in animation. In that order of zeal. During his sparse free time, he is an avid plein-air painter. The immediacy and challenge of plein-air fit his nomadic life. He credits his artistic fine-tuning to the many amazing artists he has worked with in animation, as well as workshops with artists he admired like Ray Roberts or fellow Canadian Jennifer McChristian. A representational artist, Jose utilizes watercolor and oils and enjoys both mediums enormously. He is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and has exhibited widely. He believes every place provides a wealth of subject matter – if not always proper studio space. Vancouver is no exception. Jose aims to depict its sharp layering of the urban and natural textures and seasonal variation. Not to mention there’s plenty of rain to practice reflections! ‘I like to let the materials speak for themselves without much taming and pushing around, they are their own landscape. Light renders everything beautiful at least once. Just plant the easel and look around. Ultimately, my hope is that people will find joy in the light that surrounds us and trigger the luminosity within.’

Featured artwork: Ice in Vanier Park, oil on canvas, by Jose L. De Juan.