Juan Pablo Mier - Adrián Ibáñez Galería

Juan Pablo Mier

About the Artist

In my creative journey, a profound conversation with a great artist and friend emphasized the importance of speaking my truth. This truth begins with the process, the foundation of my artistic expression.

Recently, I created a challenging piece, one that required hours of effort. The process began with the mechanical task of preparing the canvas with white paint—a symbolic foundation. The near-invisible contrast between the white paint and primed linen turned this into a meditative exercise, demanding close observation and focus on each brushstroke.

Music, a crucial part of my process, played in the background. As a classical pianist since age five, music intertwines with my art. The same hands that produce piano melodies create strokes on the canvas. There’s a profound connection between musical phrasing and painting—both require coherence, chance, and muscle memory.

With the canvas prepared, I started with a thick graphite stick, involving my entire body in the first stroke that breaks the blank canvas’s silence. This stroke, like the first note in a musical piece, sets the tone for what follows. Each subsequent stroke, each color, becomes part of a visual melody.

The tactile sensation of the materials plays a significant role. Just as pianists feel the keys before playing, I caress the canvas, understanding its texture and resistance. The interaction between my touch and the material informs my strokes, much like the feedback from a piano’s keys.

After laying down the first graphite strokes, I sat back, contemplating the emerging composition. My process involves a balance between control and intuition, similar to improvising in music. Choosing colors is an intuitive act, guided by an inner voice rather than formal color theory.

Creating this piece involved repeated pauses for contemplation, adjusting strokes and colors to achieve balance and harmony. Each element on the canvas serves a purpose, akin to different instruments in a musical ensemble. The final result must have rhythm, melody, and balance across highs, mids, and lows.

Ultimately, my work aims to evoke an unconscious sense of cohesion and connection in the viewer, much like music. Even without understanding the technical details, viewers will feel whether the piece resonates with them, similar to how we intuitively respond to music.

In both art and music, the journey from creation to connection is profound, personal, and ultimately shared. Whether a piece takes minutes or years to create, its impact is measured by the emotions and thoughts it stirs in those who experience it.

Mier – 2024