Artists

At age nine, Juan was encouraged to watch his father work while sculpting ceramics and soon learned to work with clay and create three dimensional objects. This gave him a unique insight into dimension and perspective few children learn at such a young age. His father helped Juan create and use armatures that served as a foundation for this young student to mold with clay and understand the fundamentals of anatomy. This naturally led to Juan starting to use watercolors and oils to expand the basics of his artistic skills. It was during these early formative years his father taught him the skills of viewing others and the natural environment through studying the movement of shadows and seeing the range of colors rather than copying from photographs or merely imitating the works of other artists.

 

At age 13 Juan accompanied his father when he moved to the United States. Shortly thereafter, his mother and two sisters joined Juan and his father who were residing in Naples, Florida.

 

Upon entering high school in Naples, Florida Juan’s art teachers soon recognized his outstanding artistic talents and strongly encouraged him to continue drawing and working in oils. Juan experienced initial frustration in his art as he was often more advanced than many of his instructors and therefore felt he had to find greater assistance in learning materials and techniques outside of high school. Juan participated in classes offered by the VonLiebig Art Center in Naples and submitted works for exhibitions at the VonLiebig Art Center and the Marco Island Art League in Florida.

 

Juan’s style and early mastery of drawing and the use of oils earned him a range of awards for Best in Show and various scholarships from the VonLiebig Art Center and the Marco Island Art League. Juan continued to pursue his painting following graduation from high school and independently studied the works, styles,and techniques of master artists from the United States, Europe, and South America. He submitted his paintings for exhibition in a variety of venues near Naples, Florida. It was at one of these exhibitions coordinated by the Atelier Lizio in Naples that the international artist and juror, Jonathan Green of Naples saw his work. At this exhibition he received an award and Jonathan stated in his comments that Juan’s use of oils and mastery of his range of colors afforded him the ability to create a unique surrealistic mood and atmosphere in all of his paintings. Mr. Green was impressed with his composition skills and his outstanding use of geometric planes and understanding of perspective.

 

In 2006, Mr. Green met with Juan Diaz and through the support of the business manager and art collector, offered him an internship with Jonathan Green Studios, Inc. in Naples. Since February of 2006 Juan has been mentored by Jonathan Green and is receiving guidance in the business of art from his studio director. Since 2006 Juan has been featured in four major group exhibitions in Southwest Florida. His work is now included in the prestigious Jonathan Green Art Collection Gallery located at Bayfront Place, in Naples, Florida.