I create scenes that feel cinematic, where we enter a world and something has just shifted. Then, viewers finish the story.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
Narrative is central to my work. I’m interested in moments suspended in time—scenes that suggest something has just occurred or is about to unfold. Like a cinematic still, a painting can hold tension, mystery, and emotional charge. I stage my subjects carefully, shape the light, and construct images meant to draw the viewer inward. My goal is to create work that invites curiosity and speculation, prompting the question: what just happened, and what comes next?
Where do you find inspiration?People. A face across a room can stop me cold— I’ll need to paint it. The way a guy leans at a bar, or the way a woman walks into a room and completely owns it, can be all the inspiration I need. I’m drawn to people with presence, mystery, and stories written all over their faces. I try to give every figure in my work a sense of individuality and intrigue, inviting viewers to wonder who these people are, what just happened, and what might happen next. I set the stage for viewers.
What would you do with $25,000?I'd give it to my kids who I love.
Vote for Paul D Fuentes to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
