Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Miguel Saludes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Miguel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I have been practicing painting since I was a kid. Once my parents noticed my interest in the visual arts, they supported my passion as best they could. Growing up in Cuba meant I didn’t have access to a lot of media to experiment with, but my parents worked arduously to provide me with essential materials so I could develop fluency in drawing and painting. Fortunately, we escaped Cuba and came to the United States when I was 16, where I was able to continue my artistic education without restraints. While attending art school, I was exposed to art history, figure drawing, and sculpture, all of which contributed greatly to further developing my skills. However, the most effective catalyst to my evolution was my love for painting. I am highly motivated to study the craft and to learn from my friends, my teachers, and master painters from art history. I also love going to museums and galleries where I can experience painting in the flesh. Once in front of an artwork, I enjoy deconstructing it; in other words, pulling it apart layer by layer until I have a good understanding of how every brushstroke was laid on, what colors were mixed, etc. This curiosity has been by far the best way for me to learn and to improve.
I am also highly critical of myself. I resolutely believe that as a visual artist I should be involved in every aspect of my craft, from stretching and gessoing my own canvases, to even framing my finished work whenever possible. Acquiring the skills I currently possess has required much patience, persistence and time. There is nothing I could have done to speed up this process. In essence, I see painting as a life-long pursuit. It keeps me motivated and pushing forward, always reaching for loftier goals.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My art journey began in my childhood, right around the time when I found out my father was working as a political activist against Castro’s rule in Cuba. Our family was constantly harassed by the secret police and this brought about much stress and suffering to our daily lives. During this period, my hometown’s coastal atmosphere provided a temporary relief from the tensions and perils that plagued my family at the time. My first drawings and paintings illustrated the boats coming in and out of the bay, kids swimming in its crystalline waters, as well as other scenes showcasing the pristine nature that thrived all around. Additionally, my proximity to the national fine arts museum in Havana meant I was also able to escape there when I needed to catch a break from life’s burdens. While strolling through its halls, I fell in love with Cuba’s long-standing tradition of landscape painting. I particularly admired the work of Estaban Chartrand and Tomás Sánchez, who explored Cuba’s natural beauty in their bodies of work.
In 2005, my family was granted political asylum by the United States. When we boarded our flight to Miami, we knew we were setting out on a one-way trip away from our birth nation, without the guarantee of ever being allowed to return. From that point forward, as I began pursuing my career in the visual arts in America, I refused to represent the Cuban landscape from abroad. For me, revisiting my memories from Cuba has always been a difficult task. But the idea of painting a landscape I would likely never see again was harder still. So I steered clear of the subject. Yet, this didn’t prevent me from exploring other ways to channel my love for landscape painting.
At a certain point in my artistic path, I began looking at my adoptive home for inspiration. Traveling to museums around the United States opened me up to the work of American masters who, in their individual ways, captured the majesty of the American landscape. Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Cole, Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood, Andrew Wyeth and Georgia O’Keefe are among my favorites. Witnessing their paintings in person inspired me to travel, in search for my own unique connection to the land I now call home.
I began this personal journey right after meeting my wife, who has been my supportive guide for many years now. With her by my side, I have visited many wonderful sights around this nation, including national parks and sites of historic relevance. In her company, I have also experienced the winter and the fall seasons, extending my color palette beyond the bright and saturated hues of Florida’s endless summers. Our trips together have been a great bonding experience. They have brought us closer as a family and have engendered many unforgettable moments, many of which I have revisited in my paintings.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I have dealt with adversity since I was a child. My family’s involvement in the fight against communism forced me to mature faster than other kids my age. While my friends were playing hide and seek with each other, I was figuratively playing hide and seek with the Cuban government, watching my words at school, and being very careful with my actions, as they could be exploited to hurt my father. The tensions that abounded then could have easily crushed me. However, I was lucky to have my family’s love and support and together we endured these harsh times. In the years since, I have experienced many life challenges that have forced me to reinvent myself time and again. With the unwavering support of my wife, parents, and friends, I have learned to overcome these hurdles and I have resurfaced a better version of myself every time.
This thick skin I have developed over the years has helped me remain steadfast in my art career, a quixotic pursuit that is often laden with obstacles and rejection. Regardless, I remain optimistic and I do not quit. Ever. I keep pushing forward with my work as I do with my life, always striving for better paintings and better days ahead.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Many of my paintings start as a vision. Sometimes, they come to me while contemplating an awe-inspiring landscape. Other times, they manifest themselves as scenes from daily life. When I see visual and metaphorical worth in these images, I’m usually inspired to paint them. In most cases, I allow a significant amount of time to pass from the moment I first conceived these pictures in my mind, to the moment they are actually brought to life. If the vision is really worth making, it will survive this test of time. This process of filtering out ideas requires a lot of patience. It is akin to watching a good wine age over time. Some of the best paintings I have made waited years before they could be brought to life. This delay makes the creative process even more meaningful to me. Working on these paintings brings me immense joy, and completing them is probably the most rewarding aspect of my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.miguelsaludes.com
- Instagram: @miguelsaludesfineart
Image Credits
Carrie Saludes