NESTOR TORO – LOS ANGELES

THE ARTIST: Nestor Toro

American artist Nestor Toro (b. 1976) is an internationally collected abstract artist with collectors on 5 continents enjoying and investing in his fine art abstract paintings.

As a young man Nestor’s interest in art was fueled by the hours that he would spend at the museum of fine art in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It was there he was exposed to and developed a deep appreciation for the diversity of artistic styles and disciplines.

Another passion that would prove to have the most influential of all on him would be his love of travel. Nestor was always drawn to travel. He wanted to see the world and explore its vastness and to experience the adventure he knew existed off of the small tropical island he called home. He left the island at 16 for the mainland to pursue his love of travel by getting his BA and working in the travel industry. His work allowed him the opportunity to do extensive world travel visiting over 20 countries and further exposing him to other cultures giving him a world view most do not have.

He has lived in Miami, Los Angeles, and has spent extended periods of time living out of the United States having lived for 1 year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and most recently for six years (2006 – 2012) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was during his time living in Buenos Aires that his creative inspiration was fully ignited as he was fueled by the vibrant and rich culture juxtaposed with the extremes of wealth and manic chaos with abject poverty which coexist side by side. It was in this unique situation that his first abstract art paintings were created and evolved.

“I was always interested in art but something about this amazing city in South America really set me on this path of painting. I truly feel that travelling and leaving our comfort zones allows us to discover what our true passions are.” He continues, “Only then can we reach our potential and living in Buenos Aires changed me and challenged me to push myself in unexpected ways!”

When asked about where he gets inspiration for his creations he says, “I remember being at my father’s business. He worked with fiberglass which is made mixing fluid resins together to create something entirely different than they start out as. I remember the way that the various resins would swirl and blend together forming complex and intricate patterns. This is very similar to the work I do when I overlay the fluid acrylics on canvas.”

He is also fascinated by the blending of colors and the fluidity and visual pleasure that come with observing the almost organic and natural flow of patterns such as seen in an aquarium. He is fascinated with the harmonious flow and undulation of the tropical plants as they move with the current in the underwater world. This acts as a backdrop for the rich vibrant color of exotic tropical fish as they move in unison with coordinated fluid motion in schools, very reminiscent of the intricate almost organic fractal like patterns of the artworks that he creates.

Nestor’s paintings are abstract in style which leave the viewer free to experience the artwork through the color combinations, brush strokes, and other special techniques. Nestor’s artwork is intended to be a visual experience which evoke a feeling of transport from the viewer. Just as his world travels have taken him physically to exotic foreign locations which changed his perceptions, his artwork is intended to transport the viewer emotionally to another place for a similar experience that is different and unique for each viewer.

He is self-taught and works primarily with liquid acrylics, watercolors, and various inks in addition to many other mediums to create intricate works that lure the viewer in with the complexities of the color and pattern. His painting are typically comprised of multiple layers of liquid acrylic which are combined using various techniques to create each unique painting. He often uses unconventional objects such as kitchen utensils in his work to manipulate the liquid acrylic.

Each work will go through multiple incarnations as it evolves with layers upon layers added and combined in increasing complexity. He has an innate eye for color combinations that seems to come directly from his subconscious mind, and gives each painting its own unique personality and presence with such visual depth that it must be experienced by the viewer.

He has sold many pieces to private collectors in Buenos Aires where his Gerhard Richter and Jackson Pollock inspired works were first conceived and evolved. He states, “My hope is that those who own my work will be transported to a mental landscape of contemplation and motivation each time they view them.”

Nestor’s art was exhibited numerous times in Buenos Aires at exhibitions, galleries, and other venues during the six years he was living in Argentina (2006 – 2012) there. He sold many pieces to private collectors in Buenos Aires. Now back in Los Angeles, Nestor’s unique abstract artwork is being added to more and more contemporary fine art collections. His paintings are in private collections on 5 continents and 25 countries including the USA, Italy, Japan, Canada, Argentina, Belgium, Great Britain, Singapore, Spain, Ireland, Australia, and France to name but a few of these countries.

Abstract artist Nestor lives and works in Los Angeles, California with his partner Lee and their two Chihuahuas, Iggy and Ginger.