JUAN SOLIS - Artist-Muralist

"…there is a reality about his work that puts it one step above the heroic images captured by other artists."
Armando Duron, Art Collector

Juan Solis is an artist whose passion for his art takes him to the outer limits of his imagination to capture his own reality of life and through his art demonstrate the beauty of his community
Enamored with the beauty of his family and the women in his life - his mother, his sister, his niece, or that special woman - Solis is continually searching and exploring for different ideas and concepts that go beyond just painting a beautiful face. The women that dominate his paintings display character, strength and a soul that reveals their individuality, their aspirations and their dreams.
    Solis began painting when he was 12. He never gave up hope that the talent with which he had been endowed would one day be recognized. He was born in Jalpa, Zacatecas, México. He studied in México. He spent eight years at the Academia de Arte Yepes of East Los Angeles, developing and creating his own distinctive techniques under the guidance of world-renowned artist-muralist George Yepes.
    In 1995, through Academia de Arte Yepes, Solis worked on the Cassini mural with Charles Kohlhase of the Cassini project. As per Charles Kohlhase Solis is “one of the eight young Hispanic master painters". This 12'x25' mural was commissioned by JPL/NASA through the Academia de Arte Yepes. The mural can be seen at JPL in Pasadena, CA.
     In 1994 Solis was commissioned to design and paint his first large mural measuring 20' x 30' at Mariachi Plaza in East Los Angeles. In 2001, he had his first solo exhibit at Galeria Xochitl and in September of 2001 and 2002, his painting "Mujer Bonita" was selected as the emblem for the Mexican Independence Day Parade in East Los Angeles. On September 7, 2002, Solis was honored for his work by the Comité Mexicano Cívico Patriótico and the General Consulate of México at the annual banquet commemorating the 192nd anniversary of the Mexican Independence
     In January 2002, Solis participated in an art exhibit that was a tribute to the life and accomplishments of world famous actress Silvia Pinal. His portrait of the actress was chosen by the Mexican General Consul to be imprinted on the invitations for the event, which was hosted by the Office of the General Consulate of México in Los Angeles, CA
     Solis is not only a portrait artist, but an excellent muralist as well, a rare combination in an artist. Some of Solis’ mural can still be appreciated at the Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, a 10’ x 20’ mural “Life is a Learning Adventure at Margaret Duff School, Rosemead, CA 2005, and other community centers in East Los Angeles
     As Solis continues to work on a series of paintings for future exhibits and commissions, he remains focused on his conviction that through his art he can help to beautify his community, make it a better place to live, and inspire young people to follow their dreams.
     With Sara and Galeria Mijares, Juan Solis has featured several solo exhibits including the Mary Paxton Art Gallery in Norwalk, CA, Xotchil Gallery, De Colores, Chimaya, Townley Gallery in Laguna Beach, Galeria Mijares, Whittier Art Gallery, etc. They have also helped fundraise at events such as: 100th Birthday Celebration of Abuelita Ramona Coronado at Tamayo Restaurant, Plaza de la Raza Annual Fundraiser, Egyptian Grauman Theater (Frida and Border Lost Premieres), Golden Eagle Awards-Nosotros Annual Event, United Latino Fund Gala, MABA Legislator's Night, Comité Mexicano Cívico Patriótico Gala, Mexican Cultural Institute at Olvera Street, Plaza de La Raza, MALDEF Parent Leadership Graduation, Latino Theater, Mexican Consulate of Los Angeles, Para los Niños, Mariachi Festival in Boyle Heights, MOLA, Casa 0101 and others.

Recent Features:

• El Sol de Zacatecas newspaper in México just featured him on February 28, 2008
• He is being featured in an artists’ catalog in México among some of the upcoming young Mexican talent (May 2008, Mexico City).

Solis is strongly committed to his community. It is not strange to see Juan Solis and Sara Mijares and Solis’ paintings in community and philantrophic events to benefit the community in issues related to education, arts, culture and children and families.

Recent Commissions:

• Solis was commissioned an art piece by the Office of Assemblymember Fabian Nuñez. This painting was presented by Assemblymember Nuñez to Mexican President Felipe Calderón during a private meeting at the Capitol in Sacramento during the Mexican President’s first visit to USA on February 13, 2008.
• The Guizar family just commissioned Juan Solis to do the commemorative Centennial portrait of Tito Guizar, an international icon and pioneer of the Mexican film and vernacular music. Tito Guizar is remembered in movies like “Alla en el rancho grande”, Qué lindo es Michoacán, Amores de ayer, Como México no hay dos, etc. Tito opened doors in the USA in Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, New York and in Hollywood with W.C. Fields and Bob Hope. Tito Guizar’s Centennial portrait will be unveiled at the Tito Guizar Centennial in a ceremony on Saturday, April 12 at the Million Dollar.

Some of Solis’ collectors include: Armando Durón, Esq., Cynthia Ruiz, Commissioner, City of L.A. Public Works, Mexican President Vicente Calderon, Gisselle Acevedo, CEO of Para Los Niños, Jerry Lozano, President, Lozano Associates, Frank Villalobos of Barrio Planners, Magdalena Beltran del Olmo, Josefina Lopez (Writer/Producer of Real Women Have Curves), Sara & Raul Mijares, Santiago Pozo, CEO, Arenas Entertainment, Claudia and Gary Stone, (Texas) etc.
     Juan Solis is represented by Sara Mijares (featured at Latinola.com when she was selected by the National Latina Business Women's Association - Los Angeles as their Latina of the Month for January 2004 for her involvement with her Galeria Mijares. http://www.latinola.com/story.php?story=1496.
     For their community work, both Solis & Mijares have received multiple awards among them from: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember José Huizar, the General Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles, etc.
     Sara Mijares is also Founding President of Mundo Maya Foundation and Casá Yucatán-USA. Both organizations mission is to Preserve and promote the Maya culture www.yucatecos.org)
     After this exhibit, Solis’ works may be seen by appointment at 634 S. Spring St., Suite 718, Los Angeles, CA 90014. For information or appointment, contact:
Sara at (562) 505-6023 or e-mail at sara@galeriamijares.com www.galeriamijares.com

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