IVAN SALAZAR
Ivan Salazar is a Chicago born and raised multi-media artist who draws inspiration from surrealist works of art. As an artist who focuses on looking within the surfaces, Ivan lets colors lead the direction for his pieces.After studying fashion design in the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco, Ivan felt gravitated towards the creative processes within the field. Whether it being drawing live models to practicing different color stories, He thrived in bringing life to the visualizations that exist in his mind.As a queer person of color Ivan gravitated towards cultural artwork that drew inspiration from his upbringing. His work often represents the marriage of his skills with Mexican culture. His work starts on a canvas utilizing traditional painting skills ranging from acrylics to oil. After, the rendering happens on digital platforms to transform a polished digital piece of art.
Mikey's Music
Adobe Fresco, Digital (2022)
consisting of digital oil brushes and techniques, a study of the human body and its relationship with emotion.
Born @ 19
ProCreate, Digital (2024)
Coming from a Pentecostal background, Ivan embodies the feeling of the desire to escape. Using colors that represent passion with symbols of religious ties. Utilizing oil painting techniques to give the digital piece a 'realistic' effect.
VOMIT
ProCreate, Digital (2024)
In this piece, Ivan uses contrasting colors on the subject, embodying the feeling of resentment. For the background, Ivan worked with a monochromatic palette of reds to showcase its different tints and shades. Giving the illusion of being in a room covered in the subject's own thoughts.
Build A Home In Me
ProCreate, Digital (2025)
In this self portrait, Ivan draws inspiration from the likes of surrealist artists such as Magritte and Kahlo.
After a trip to Mexico in 2016, Ivan took note of the different architecture in his grandmother's hometown. Wanting to tell the story of longing to be closer to home. Ivan paints himself as the Casitas he was surrounded by on his trip to visit his estranged family members.
CHAMACO
ProCreate, Digital (2025)
Being a first generation chicano, Ivan paints the experience of carrying one's roots in a new world. Feeling like a product of his parent's experience, Ivan felt the need to showcase his roots throughout childhood. Giving the subject an Olmec head in an American classroom. Ivan paints the emotion he felt going to school as an adolescent.
Red Ribbons
ProCreate, Digital (2023)
In this piece, Ivan paints a message about the queer community and its connection with the HIV virus. Giving a surrealist painting about a subject sitting in a waiting room, wearing a red robe. Utilizing irony in religious symbols that often represent light and purity.
SHOCKWAVE!
ProCreate, Digital (2025)
Using more digital oil painting techniques, this piece focuses on fluidity. Starting with an abstract background that leads to a study of anatomy in the mid ground. For the foreground, Ivan wanted to make a "liquified" portrait of his partner. Staying within the color ranges of orange and yellow, drawing you to the main focus, A pair of hazel eyes.
This Summer I'll Start Therapy
ProCreate, Digital (2025)
After struggling with his mental health, Ivan paints the emotion of feeling depressed during the summertime. Using different shades of yellow and gold to draw a disgusted sun. Ivan personifies guilt by having his subject hiding away from the viewer.
‘Cicero Independiente’ art piece (commission )-
ProCreate, Digital (2022)
This piece was commissioned by Cicero Independiente, a local bilingual news organization for an article covering educators and their experiences with the pandemic. This illustration consists a cartoon style showcasing a classroom scene from a local teacher in the town.