Saldarriaga Info 08

Pedro has created a new spin on figure drawing by imagining a new kind of creature; he calls them “Peobirds”, small acquaintances in bird form. Pedro’s new creations combine the bird with human characteristics. He paints them doing the most ordinary and mundane things, walking, playing cards or riding a bike, but to the viewers surprise they are transformed into poignant snapshots of everyday life with

real world humanity and charm.

Pedro Saldarriaga

My first approach at art came at the age of five when my mother enrolled me in a ceramic

class. All I remember from those Thursday evening classes was that I loved sculpting big

breasted women and enjoyed the taste of the teacher’s cookies.

As time passed, my interest shifted towards drawing. At school, I spent more time

sketching than listening to the class lectures. The only formal education in drawing, prior

to college, came during my senior year in High School when I took a figure drawing class

with live models.

After graduating from High School I left my home in Medellín, Colombia to attend

Midwestern State University in Texas. In January of 2001, right after receiving my

Bachelor of Arts, I joined an amateur cycling team in Barcelona, Spain. For two years I

raced around Spain using my spare time to sketch and to find myself as an artist. It was

during these times of loneliness when my style came to life.

Most of the imagery used in my work comes from personal experience and emotions.

Great emphasis is given to composition, giving the images a graceful balance where color

and the use of line define the style. Simplicity and balance are the pillars my work.

—Pedro Saldarriaga

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All images on this website are copyright the artist unauthorized use prohibited

"Seeing beauty in mundane events is easier said than done. Painting them is even

harder. My work portrays memories and the emotions left behind from past

events creating snapshots of my history."

Pedro Saldarriaga

Pedro's Work