Pitch II, acrylic on canvas, 2021

by Pascual Hijuelos

Color, for me, is probably the most essential compositional element in the creation of a work of art. It certainly guides my work. Until the early 20th century color, in addition to black and white, had always been used as the key way to define our visual reality. But with the advent of Fauvism in 1904, color was liberated. Color became an emotional element in and of itself, as opposed to being solely descriptive. This innovation allowed artists to explore abstract ideas, using color emotionally as well as conceptually. So, it is with this in mind that I approach my work. I strive to create paintings that make the most of this more personal, natural, alluring and sensitive spectrum. I am interested in making paintings that seduce and absorb the viewer using the power of color we instinctively know.

Danza II. Henry Matisse, 1910

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José Pascual Hijuelos, a Cuban-American, was born and raised on the Upper West Side of New York City. After serving four years of military service in England, he returned home and went on to complete an MFA in Painting. He studied with Philip Pearlstein, Lucas Samaras, Jimmy Ernst, Lee Bontecou and Alan D’Arcangelo, and was the assistant to Al Held for several years.

An abstract painter, Mr. Hijuelos was nurtured on Postwar American Abstract Painting, influenced by such notables as Mark Rothko, Clyfford Still, Ben Nicholson and Al Held.

Mr. Hijuelos has traveled extensively. For many years, he worked as an archaeological site supervisor and illustrator in Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus. He now divides his time between San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and New York.

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