#art, Francisco Bravo Cabrera

Francisco Bravo Cabrera, a.k.a. Bodo Vespaciano

What can I say about myself? Well… I am a graduate of Florida International University (located in Miami, Florida). I have been engaged in the art world since 1998 when I began painting and selling watercolours which I titled simply “Jazz-Art”, mainly because of my love of Jazz music and because of the themes of the compositions. I created his studio, Omnia Caelum Studios in Miami where I lived at the time. Presently I live and paint and write in València, Spain.

My first professional gallery exhibition was in 2003 at the PG Gallery in Istanbul, Turkey. Following the success of this show, I returned to Miami and began exhibiting in galleries there and in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida, as well. In Miami, I was named “Artist of the Month” several times during my participation in Miami’s “Cultural Fridays” programme.

I have exhibited in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida; Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York; Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, and Sevilla, Spain, Belfast in Ireland, and again in Turkey, this time in Izmir. Apart from galleries my paintings hang in many private collections throughout Europe, the United States, Taiwan and Turkey.

My unique style for painting is surreal-expressionism, but I do not not limit myself to just one style or approach. Most of my paintings are on musical themes and I use instruments as well as bodies to represent players and dancers which exist in the world of jazz and fantasy I am creating. I use colours boldly to express feelings and emotions, and many times I paint an abstract background to my figurative paintings. However, being that I believe that art is the “search” I continuously experiment and investigate new and different approaches to be able to create paintings that truly communicate and transmit the message that I wish to share.

Besides my figurative work, I have developed a way to approach abstract art thinking it something spiritual, and almost mystical. Another very important aspect of my work is drawings, (illustration), which I do using various types of graphite and ink. These I do in series titled “JaZzArt”. The series is separated into phases. And although most are in black and white, some I have drawn with ink upon a colourful abstract background of watercolour. So, are these paintings? Or drawings? You tell me…

My present work seeks to expand the use of colour, as well as to explore other styles. This would allow me the use of more symbols and abstract forms. I am looking to continuously delve deeper and deeper into expressionism. My “search” is to discover the true essence of this historical/vanguard art movement and to try to more clearly and effectively reach out and communicate with its audience. And of course to continue drawing JaZzArt because for me the black line is the clearest and most visual manner with which to bring forth the spirituality…and communicative power…of art.

My upcoming projects continue to be here in my hometown, València, Spain. But I also do a lot of work and sell much on Internet. Next year I will be back…October 2025…at the museum Sala d’Exposicions de Ciutat Vella (València) where, in 2023, I was so successful with my premiere Valencia exhibition «Atrévete» («Be Bold»).

CHEERS