Name: Juan Cantavella
City: Magnolia Texas
Bio: Juan Cantavella was born in Orleans, France on June 14, 1941 in the middle
of WWII, from refugee Spanish parents after they fled from Franco’s
regime. In 1948 his family moved to Venezuela looking for better
opportunities.
Growing up in Venezuela, when he was 15, he discovered his interest in art
while he was convalescing from a surgery. Starting with “paint by numbers”
kits he rapidly began painting on his own using the kit’s left over paints. His
father thought that Juan should not waste time painting but study hard to
become somebody with a future. However, he never quit painting, without
direction or teaching, since art school was never an option. With the help of
his mother Juan continued to paint with brushes and paints she secretly
provided him.
Once he finished high school he enrolled in the University to study Physics
to satisfy his father’s desire of wanting Juan to become a scientist. After
three semesters trying to move forward in vain he enrolled in Architectural
studies which was the closest major related to his artistic aspirations, leaving
his father greatly disappointed.
Life became complicated when Juan got married. He had to work to support
his family and attend classes at the University. Painting fell to third place in
priorities. Nevertheless inspired by the free hand drawing classes he was
taking at the University; in 1968 he painted “Nino Japreria” for the Annual
Salon of Architecture Students.
After earning his Architecture degree, and with three small children, work
responsibilities kept his painting opportunities at the hobby level for many
years, painting from time to time when some long weekend or little vacation
gave him the freedom to paint something. But Juan never stopped dreaming
of painting full time, perhaps when he retired. In that difficult time he
painted “Tarzan” in 1985 for a competition organized by the Government of
the Sucre Estate for the 400 th anniversary of the City of Cumana, Venezuela,
winning an Honorable Mention.
In 2002, he came to America looking for new opportunities as the
Venezuelan economy and political landscape deteriorated rapidly. It was
here he discovered that his dream of painting could become a reality. In
2005 he began painting murals in private homes and businesses building a
strong client portfolio in the San Francisco area that kept him busy.
Juan continued his self instruction by alternating his work as a Muralist with
a constant study and practice focused on improving his knowledge, skills
and technique.
In 2014 Juan moved form California to Texas where he settled his studio in
the Houston area, now painting full time in pursuit of the highest artistic
levels, Juan says that art is a never-ending learning process.
Juan Cantavella is a member of:
The Woodlands art League
Lone Star Art Guild
Portrait Society of America
Oil Painters of America
National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society
