Channeling Eros
Juan Carlos Bravo grew up in Miami Beach. At an early age he found the joy of surfing and soaking up the sun at the beach, surrounded by beautiful people. There he developed rich and enduring memories of voluptuous women frolicking which in time would profoundly influence his art. Miami Beach, known for its adult film industry, fashion, and diverse culture, is where Bravo grew up and developed a strong interest in the female body from a young age. Miami is a culture recognized for its abundance and excessive vices, as seen in the documentary “Cocaine cowboys” or the hit show “Miami vice”. The beach was the wellspring of Bravo’s creativity. His surrealistic oil paintings portray iconic voluptuous women who symbolize a timeless sexual archetype, a heavenly zaftig.
Fig 1. Death and the Maiden. Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Fig 2. Dali's first comunion. Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Juxtaposition of Beauty and Horror
During his early exploration of sensuality, JC would frequent strip clubs and sketch the performers. The club’s distinctive aesthetic intrigued him, especially in a city like Miami, known for its obsession with plastic surgery and fabricated appearances. Many strippers often favored cosmetic surgeries, resulting in an appearance that resembles Barbie on steroids.
Fig 3. Creativity Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Fig 4. Little Voyeur Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Receiving the Gift of Venus
While studying psychology, JC found both inspiration and a life partner. Without warning, Bravo’s emotions underwent a sudden transformation, causing him to have a change of heart. Encouraged by his future wife, he shifted his major to visual arts and took many figure drawing classes. After graduating college with a bachelor's degree, Bravo took a trip to Paris which was life-changing. His visit to France inspired him to become a painter. Seeing Van Eyck and Bosch’s art in person left a lasting impression on him. Juan then began teaching himself how to paint with oils.
Fig 5. Prodigy (caprichos) Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Fig 6. Dionysus fantasy Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Fig 7. Mirda Drawing Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Keys in understanding Bravo’s work
It all starts with JC’s dedication to a classical technique deeply influenced by art history. The focus lies in accurately representing the human figure realistically. This requires being precise and maintaining an objective standpoint. Bravo’s intention for the audience is to view each painting as if it were a frame from a film. Keeping up with popular culture and prevailing ideas is crucial for effective visual communication. Juan still vividly remembers the impact the movie Friday The 13th had on his mind. By appropriating movie references into his work, Bravo adds pop archetypes to create a personal narrative and social commentary. In Peru, where Juan was originally born, there is a similar artistic transference called the Escuela Cuzqueña, or the Cuzco School style. Following the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, a new art movement emerged in the 16th century. The art style detailed the clash between colonization and the fusion of Indigenous Peruvian beliefs and Roman Catholic iconography. One of the key themes explored in this context is the impact of a viral idea on the physical form. The body horror style,popularized by David Cronenberg, ranks very high on Bravo’s list of inspirational directors. Similar to other visionary directors, like David Lynch and Alejandro Jodorowsky.
In addition, JC adds his own personal history, creating an outcome that develops into a surreal connection with the viewer.
Fig 8. kim k Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Fig 9. Flex Fever Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Hemispheres
JC divides his work into two categories: grotesque beauty paintings and ballpoint pen drawings. The paintings illustrate forms through exaggerated enhancements, while the drawings reveal an authentic femininity and a natural aesthetic. Bravo’s artwork often includes the portrayal of an infant man, he refers to Cabezones. Which means large headed or swollen head in Spanish. The enormous head symbolizes stubbornness, foolishness, or excessive pride., symbolizing both a sense of renewing self and the viewer’s state of transition. Alongside Cabezones, Bravo frequently incorporates a female fertility figure that stimulates the mammalian part of the viewer’s brain with highly prominent mammary glands. Bravo’s work encourages viewers to contemplate their animal desires and expectations while emotionally swelling their mind.
Fig 10. Pink photo of JC art studio in 2018. Examples of Bravo's Cabezones and Robust Zaftig
Fig 11. Pink Pussy Pink Ball Point Drawings JC Bravo
Visit Bravo's website: http://www.jcbravo.com
In Premium more about Bravo's pink ball point drawings, his specific pink aesthetics, blurbs by the artist on some of his works not featured here, and many more examples of his distinctive erotica.
Click HERE for the sensual elements in the pop art fantasies of Todd Schorr
Source directly from JC Bravo
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