Carlos Arriola's journey as an artist is as colorful and nuanced as the landscapes he paints. Born in the vibrant city of Sevilla, Spain, Carlos's early life was marked by a cultural richness that seeped into his soul. At the age of 11, his family moved to Portugal, a place that would become the backdrop to his formative years and a haven that nurtured his budding artistic spirit. Despite an innate desire from a young age to be recognized as an artist, life led him down a different path.
 
 Carlos embarked on a four-decade-long illustrious career in the hotel industry, rising to the esteemed position of Executive Vice President of a notable hotel company. His journey through the hospitality world, driven by financial necessity, started after he finished his degree at the Lisbon Hotel School and earned a Certified Hotel Administrator credential from Michigan State University. Throughout these years, the canvas awaited, and his passion for painting remained a quiet yet persistent undercurrent in his life.
 
 It wasn't until his retirement and the global pause brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that Carlos found the time to fully commit to his art. Unfettered by the constraints of his previous career, he immersed himself in capturing the ephemeral beauty of nature, drawing inspiration from flowers, architecture, and the serene freedom he felt walking amidst greenery. This self-taught artist, devoid of formal family artistic influences, honed his skills through relentless practice, painting, and allowing the forces of intuition and love for his craft to guide him.
 
 Carlos's creative process is as organic as the subjects he paints. With a camera in hand or pictures supplied by friends, he translates the vivid scenes from nature onto canvas or pastel paper, allowing viewers to partake in the beauty he sees. His techniques, developed through sheer repetition, embody the nuances of what his eyes capture in the natural world. While he humbly dismisses the uniqueness of his work, audiences find joy and a sense of wonder in his ability to replicate the world's beauty.
 
 Influenced by the likes of Michael James Smith and predominantly Andrew Tischler, Carlos's work showcases his deep appreciation for detail and the natural order of the world around him. His artistic pursuits have seen him participate in prestigious events such as the 2024 World Art Awards and the American Art Awards, where he secured second place in one category and fourth in another.
 
 

I usually am inclined to project into canvas, canvas boards or soft pastel paper, very realistic images and landscape.
I have never attend any art school and in reality I just started painting full time since the initial phase of Covid 19.