Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM January 31-February 11
Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will exhibit 20 paintings by Tony De Luz in a solo exhibition titled Hit the Road on view January 31 through February 11. De Luz plans to attend an artist reception in the gallery opening night from 5 to 7 p.m.
“This is my third show with Blue Rain Gallery, and our opening is part of the Last Friday Art Walk in Santa Fe,” the artist says. “For me, an art opening is gratifying and fun. I really enjoy how the gallery looks and the excitement and the buzz surrounding an opening. It’s fun to see everybody enjoying the artwork and to talk to people about my art. And it’s always exciting seeing one of those red dots that mean a painting sold.”
More than half of the works in the show are new, and in keeping with the exhibit’s title and De Luz’s penchant for Route 66 culture, they include his signature paintings of vintage signage, classic automobiles and motorcycles. Yet the artist also branched out to paint landscapes. These works present a fresh, bright color palette and De Luz’s eye for design.
“I used to hate painting landscapes. I used to think they were boring to paint. I liked looking at other artists’ landscapes, but I didn’t think I could bring anything interesting to the landscape party,” says De Luz. “Then I was inspired by my trip to the other Blue Rain Gallery [location] in Durango, Colorado.”
De Luz, who lives with his family in Arizona, says he has discovered his landscape style: “Every landscape artist has found their niche. They each have their own signature style. I think I’ve developed my signature style as realistic, clean. And I like landscapes with roads and cars.”
Befittingly, the artist’s surname, De Luz, means “of the light.”
“My paintings really play on the light. I am very dependent on light for long shadows, forms hidden in shadows, light reflecting off things,” he says. “Light is a very important aspect.”
The artist credits his background as an illustrator for his sense of composition and his profound appreciation for the liberation painting allows him. “Illustration helped my art because it helps me to create pictures,” he explains. “When creating an illustration, I was often looking through an art director’s eyes, considering how it’s going to lay out in the ad.” Yet, he adds, “When painting, I have more freedom. I don’t have to worry about where the type goes. The level of craftsmanship carries over, and I have an idea where a painting is going to go. But what I really love about what I do for a gallery like Blue Rain is that they respect the artist’s ability to paint what he wants to paint.”—Colleen Smith
contact information(505) 954-9902blueraingallery.com
This story appeared in the February/March 2025 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.
The post Show Preview | Tony De Luz appeared first on Southwest Art Magazine.