JUAN COTRINO
Juan Cotrino was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and developed a passion for painting at a young age. Though he always had an innate love for the arts, he didn’t consider pursuing it professionally until his time in the military. At 18, Cotrino served with the Multi-National Force Observers (ONU) in Mount Sinai, where he became frustrated by the lack of art supplies. In the absence of brushes and paints, he used his fingers and a can of shoe polish on cardboard to express himself. His supervisors, impressed by his skill, asked if he could paint murals. Cotrino eagerly accepted, and after completing several murals, he earned recognition, which marked the beginning of his artistic career.
Although Cotrino has attended various art schools, he is largely self-taught. Over the years, he has honed a distinctive style that blends his passion for life with a deep emotional expression. His work is known for its precise lines, vibrant colors, and influences from traditional Latin American art. Each painting embodies a dynamic composition, ranging from Cubism, figurative, surrealism and art to touches of abstraction. Cotrino often uses symbols to evoke a dreamlike quality in his work, reflecting the complexity of human experience. His choice of media includes oils, acrylics, and mixed media, adding further depth and texture to his pieces.
As Cotrino himself says, “I devote myself to a life of painting, discipline, vision and determination to trace my path to success in the contemporary art world.”
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1968, I am a self-taught artist whose creative journey began at the age of five. My earliest memories involve drawing on any surface I could find—walls, newspapers, notebooks. At six, I encountered a reproduction of a Picasso painting in a newspaper, and my father introduced me to the artist’s name. That moment sparked a passion for art that has stayed with me ever since.
I was raised in a household where my father, a mechanical engineer and mariachi singer, nurtured my curiosity, I was immersed in design, machinery, tools, welding, and various materials. His workshop became my second home, where I learned to create blueprints and developed a keen understanding of structure and form. This hands-on experience influenced my art, adding a linear and cubist touch. Music also played a big role in our home, and I love incorporating musical instruments into my work because I believe music connects us all.
At 17, I enlisted in the Colombian Army, and at 18, I joined the United Nations’ Multinational Force Observers in Mount Sinai. During this time, I felt a strong need to create. Using cardboard and shoe polish, I painted a woman’s face with my fingertips and put it above my bed. This led to painting 27 murals, and I received Official Military Honors for this project. This experience made me realize that art was my true calling.
My art blends, Cubism, Figurative, Surrealism, and Abstract art. My work features precise lines, geometric shapes, vivid colors, and strong brushstrokes. I find inspiration in daily life experiences, human figures, nature, and the universe. Musical instruments frequently appear in my pieces, reflecting my belief in music as a universal connector.Over the years, my practice has evolved through daily dedication. Initially working solely with oils on canvas, I have expanded to acrylics, textures, canvas, wood, and metals. In 2008, I merged my skills in welding and mechanics to create a new collection of paintings on metal. Later, I ventured into 3D pieces using canvas, complemented by line-driven sketches that now serve as focal points in my artwork.
As a dedicated and disciplined artist, family man, and person of faith, I channel my passion into each piece. My mission is to convey compelling messages through my paintings and sculptures, blending my expertise in colors, textures, metals, welding, and design to offer a unique experience with every creation.