Hugo Dubon

Aquatica Series: Poolside HD + zoom

Aquatica Series: Diver with Golden Fish + zoom

Tropicali Series: Little Dip + zoom

Tropicali Series: Tropicali + zoom

What is your artwork about (underlying concept, focus, themes, intent, etc)?

It is about communication, story telling without compromising the visual aspect of a painting/illustration.

What informs your artwork or what are your influences?

My influences are many, as visual artists, one must stay alert and look out for those cues that spark an idea.

What matters to you most about the work that you do?

First, be satisfied that I painted what I had imagined. Second, to hopefully appeal viewers with what I’ve done.

Is there a trigger or a starting point for each piece?

Mostly I try to work in themes, and that’s how ideas come about for me, sketching out variations on certain themes and selecting the best ones for final paintings. I like to allow changes along the way too, if the painting is not for a client.

How has your work evolved over the last five years?

I’ve learned that I have to be more patient when painting and that leads to a better image, I try not to rush the image to get to the next one.

What is currently the central motivation for or conceptual concern in your work?

That would be to create something that will catch the eye, that’s why I enjoy the conceptual side of illustration, dwelling into the surreal and sometimes absurd, to tell that certain story.

How does your physical/geographical environment inform the work you do?

Here we can appreciate the changing seasons and how the colors change with them, I try to venture more into new subject matter and expanding my color palette with it. I’m certain that being in other places would change the way one would create an image (different colors, the general ‘vibe’ that a certain place has, etc)

What mediums, techniques, or processes are involved in your art making (and why these)?

When I did my first illustrations I used acrylics, it was horrible, I couldn’t control it. Now it’s all in oils, they’re a more forgiving medium I think. I’m trying to be more expressive in my technique, I’m not quite where I want to be yet...

What are your other passions in life and how have these influenced your work?

I came from a culture of paradoxes, in one hand a socially turbulent time while growing up, but at the same time, there was never a lack of diversions in terms of celebrations (festivals and the like), I try to draw on those memories but I need to do more work to put them in an interesting context.

Why are you an artist?

I was always doodling and sketching things. I was very interested in art from a very young age, drawing and copying from comic books and such, it wasn’t until my second year in college that I realize that there was a career as an illustrator. That someone could create an image based on someone else’s ideas is very interesting and challenging at the same time, that’s why I became an artist/ illustrator… that, and the fact that I couldn’t become a professional soccer player.

About the Artist

Born in San Salvador, El Salvador in 1973, emigrated to Canada in January 1987. Graduated from ACAD in 1997 with a Diploma from the Visual Communications Program (graphic design and illustration), dedicated to commercial illustration after graduating and also represented by Artspace Gallery in Calgary since 2000 until 2007.

Education/Professional Experience

• Alberta College of Art and Design (1993-1997)
• Freelancing as an illustrator since 1997, represented as a gallery artist since 2000

Publications

Illustrator for publications such as Avenue, Calgary Inc. Alberta Views, Small Farm Magazine among others. Also illustrated for the Globe and Mail. Also illustrated for ads and corporate clients.

• Redpoint Media (Avenue magazine, Calgary Inc. magazine, etc)
• The Globe and Mail newspaper
• Alberta Views Magazine
• Alberta Theatre Projects (2002-2003 season)
• Theatre Junction, and many more...

Some of his corporate clients include:

• Result Communications
• Petroleum Human Resources of Canada
• Real Estate Council of Alberta among others...

A number of his art work has been donated for charity and fundraisers in Calgary.

Shows & Exhibitions

Permanent collection at the Museo de Arte Erotico Americano in Bogota, Colombia.