Artist Bio
Ivan Villa was born in Miami, Florida in 1986. He spent the majority of his
childhood drawing the figures in the comics he read, and selling them to his classmates
for extra lunch money. As soon as he grew tired of his capitalistic endeavors, he
discovered the world of graffiti, thanks to his older brother Juan Villa. He started
working on the typical “wild style” native to the Miami graffiti subculture. This influence
in graffiti changed his figure work completely. Ivan began taking his typical comic book
figures, and added gestural movement to these still images. His expressive technique in
illustration followed throughout high school and into Kennesaw State University.
At KSU, Ivan began experimenting with the various mediums such as: oil,
ceramics, and digital art. He continued to push his boundaries by experimenting with
painting on various surfaces. Ivan generally works with figures, but on his study abroad
in Italy, he chose to expand his depth into landscapes. Inspired by the Tuscan
landscape that surrounded him, he completed a series of work based on the town of
Montepulciano. Upon his return, Ivan’s work from Italy was exhibited in a
gallery for the works of the study abroad program.
Today, Ivan graduated from Kennesaw State University earning his
Bachelors in Fine Arts. He is currently working on exhibiting his works in various
galleries in the Phoenix area.
childhood drawing the figures in the comics he read, and selling them to his classmates
for extra lunch money. As soon as he grew tired of his capitalistic endeavors, he
discovered the world of graffiti, thanks to his older brother Juan Villa. He started
working on the typical “wild style” native to the Miami graffiti subculture. This influence
in graffiti changed his figure work completely. Ivan began taking his typical comic book
figures, and added gestural movement to these still images. His expressive technique in
illustration followed throughout high school and into Kennesaw State University.
At KSU, Ivan began experimenting with the various mediums such as: oil,
ceramics, and digital art. He continued to push his boundaries by experimenting with
painting on various surfaces. Ivan generally works with figures, but on his study abroad
in Italy, he chose to expand his depth into landscapes. Inspired by the Tuscan
landscape that surrounded him, he completed a series of work based on the town of
Montepulciano. Upon his return, Ivan’s work from Italy was exhibited in a
gallery for the works of the study abroad program.
Today, Ivan graduated from Kennesaw State University earning his
Bachelors in Fine Arts. He is currently working on exhibiting his works in various
galleries in the Phoenix area.
Artist Statement
Looking at my current work, I realized I have assimilated the teachings of all my
previous professors, and culminated them into my own style and practices. This
includes the dedication and work ethic behind completing multiple works in order to
meet deadlines. The tendency to attempt to capture and express motion is prevalent in
the majority of my works; thus explaining why I like to refer to my work as kinetic representations.
Urban subject matters tend to be the direction I gravitate towards. I choose
to compose my compositions in a dynamic fashion that exemplifies the sense of the
kinetic motion implied by the soft edges of my subject matter. I pull inspiration from philosophy
and general observations of my surroundings.
Technically, I look at the work of Antonio Lopez Garcia as the level of competency with the medium
I wish to achieve. I strive to accomplish in completing works that successfully outlasts my own lifetime.
previous professors, and culminated them into my own style and practices. This
includes the dedication and work ethic behind completing multiple works in order to
meet deadlines. The tendency to attempt to capture and express motion is prevalent in
the majority of my works; thus explaining why I like to refer to my work as kinetic representations.
Urban subject matters tend to be the direction I gravitate towards. I choose
to compose my compositions in a dynamic fashion that exemplifies the sense of the
kinetic motion implied by the soft edges of my subject matter. I pull inspiration from philosophy
and general observations of my surroundings.
Technically, I look at the work of Antonio Lopez Garcia as the level of competency with the medium
I wish to achieve. I strive to accomplish in completing works that successfully outlasts my own lifetime.