Julio Larraz is a Cuban contemporary artist. Representing the realist movement, he reflects the Caribbean life and the attributes typical for his native Cuba on his canvases which are full of subtle details and imagery.
Background
Julio Larraz was born on March 12, 1944, in Havana, Cuba. He is a son of Julio César Fernàndez and Emma Larraz Sorondo de Fernàndez, newspaper owners. Having doctorates in philosophy and economics, Larraz’s father served as an educator as well.
Education
Julio Larraz was raised in Havana, Cuba. He revealed abilities for art very early by doing caricatures several of which were featured in the local periodicals.
Larraz received general education at primary and secondary schools, including the private ones. In 1961, he relocated with his family to the United States living for a while in Miami and Washington, D. C. Finally, the Larraz settled down in New York City where Julio received his first and last lessons of painting from such master as Burt Silverman, David Levine, and Aaron Schikler.
Career
The start of Julio Larraz's career can be counted from 1964 when he relocated to the United States and settled down in New York City. Since then, Lazzar earned his life by producing political caricatures for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune and Vogue magazine among others. Three years later, Julio left the job of a cartoonist and devoted all his time to professional painting.
The first solo exhibition of the artist was organized at the Pyramid Gallery in Washington, D. C. in 1971. It was followed by a couple of solo shows at the New School for Social Research and the FAR Gallery, both in New York City.
In 1977, Julio Larraz left New York City and settled down in San Patricio, New Mexico where he got acquainted with art dealer Ron Hall who became his best friend and art supporter through his art gallery in Dallas, Texas. Six years later, in search of the new sources of inspiration, Larraz made a trip to Paris. While there, he has also visited Morocco. Larraz came back to the United States in 1984.
In the early 2000s, the artist traveled to Italy where he stayed for the following four years. Larraz frequently visits the country by this day.
Julio Larraz has collaborated with such art galleries as Nohra Haime's gallery, the Marlborough Gallery, Miles McEnery & Yohe Gallery, and London’s Art of the World Gallery among others. Since 2013, Larraz is represented by the label of his son, Havoli Fine Art Management.
Nowadays, the artist lives and works in Miami, Florida.
Quotations:
"The important thing for me is to paint. But I base everything on a mental image I have of a certain place."
"It's hard enough to paint without having something in your mind to guide you. Insight a little like – if we may call it that – daydreaming. I see images reflected in my mind and instantly I try to make some drawings before they disappear. And it works. But most of them are not night dreams, they're daydreams."
"That is the love of my life, to work. The rest is just the stories that you put on to entertain yourself."
"My life is that. It's painting. I'm not a storyteller, I never talk about it. I don't like to talk about the paintings. I think it's very important that people see something."
"The message of my work is always to spark a dialogue with yourself. There is no focus or goal. These paintings are made because I was compelled to, but the meaning, you create for yourself."
"In life, you have got to find something so precious and important to you that you never look at the clock again. Time melts away. Hang on to every image. Inspiration is a collection of everything you’ve ever done. It is all grease to the meal. Appreciate your place. As an artist, I feel happy knowing that I am not going to change the art world. The most important thing is to realize that if what you leave is just a little mark on the wall of life, it is enough. Just a little note, a little drop of gravity. Most importantly, hope that someone who deserved it can gain or learn something from what you produced."
Personality
Julio Larraz became an American citizen in 1983.
Interests
Writers
Homer
Artists
Burt Silverman, David Levine
Connections
Julio Larraz married Scott Mills. The marriage produced four children named Saskia, Ariel, Maia, and Miranda.