#art, Pleasure to Meet You, I am Francisco, please, call me Francis…

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

I am a graduate of Florida International University (Miami, Florida). And I have been engaged in the art world since 1998 when I began painting and selling my watercolours which I titled “Jazz-Art”, (later they became «JaZzArt»). The name comes from my love of Jazz, and of course it relates to the themes and compositions of my drawings and paintings. I developed my studio, Omnia Caelum in Miami where I lived at the time. Presently I live and work in Europe, Spain to be precise.

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

I have exhibited in Sarasota and Bradenton, two Gulf Coast cities in upstate Florida; New York, (SoHo, Manhattan and Brooklyn); Zaragoza, Fuendetodos, Barcelona, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Spain and again in Turkey, this time in Izmir. Then in Ireland. My paintings hang in many private collections throughout Europe, the United States, India and Turkey.

My preferred style, a style which I developed, is Surreal-Expressionism. But I don’t limit his work, or perspective, to just one style or approach. I base most of my paintings 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. Many times I paint an abstract background to my mostly figurative paintings.

However, being that I believe that «art is the search” I continuously experiment and investigate new and different approaches 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 as something spiritual, almost a meditation.

Another big aspect of my work are my drawings. I do them using various types of graphite and ink. These I have done in different seriases titled “JaZzArt” and the seriases are separated into phases. And although most are in black and white, some are of the phases are drawn with ink upon a colourful abstract background of watercolour.

My present work seek the expansion of colour, as well as a desire to explore other styles. This would allow me the use of more symbols and abstract forms. I also looks to continuously delve deeper into expressionism. My “search” is to discover the true essence of this historical 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 of art.

My upcoming projects are in my home base of València, Spain. In October of this year, 2023, I will be exhibiting in the Cultural Centre of Ciutat Vella, one of the museums of the city. Next year, God willing, Germany…