Julio M De Los Reyes

About Julio M De Los Reyes

Julio M de los Reyes, known artistically as "delos," is a painter whose journey from music to visual arts has been as intricate and colorful as his works. Born in Ronda, Malaga, Spain, in 1937, delos initially honed his creative instincts through the strings of a classical and flamenco guitar for two decades. It was not until the early 1970s, after relocating to New York, that he transitioned to painting, discovering a new medium through which to express his artistic vision.

His artistic style is predominantly semi-abstract and semi-figurative, with a dynamic tendency toward complete abstraction. Delos draws inspiration from the natural world and historical figures, often exploring themes like nature mort and samurais. His vivid imagination is most alive in the interplay of colors and textures, where he eschews explicit planning in favor of allowing spontaneity to guide his creativity. Using acrylics, brushes, and knife palettes, delos often incorporates unconventional materials like sand to add depth and complexity to his canvases.

Delos's artistic development was briefly guided by Raymond Breinin in New York, after which he pursued a self-taught path. His works have graced exhibitions across the globe, from Mexico City to Paris, where he proudly received a medal at the esteemed Grand Palais in the 1990s. Notably, his interactions with the renowned artist Rufino Tamayo in Cuernavaca, Mexico, marked a significant milestone in his career. Tamayo's admiration for delos's work over that of thirty other painters at a group exhibition profoundly validated his artistic journey.

Now residing in Spring, Texas, delos continues to paint with a passion that is as vibrant as his canvases, driven by a singular goal: to keep painting and enjoying his work. His art remains a testament to a lifelong exploration of color, form, and the boundless possibilities of the imagination, inviting viewers to embark on their own journey of discovery and introspection.