Artist based in Miami, FL
Ernesto Gutierrez Moya, Portrait of the Artist
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I was born in Havana in 1995 and studied at the San Alejandro National Academy of Fine Arts, where I confirmed that art was not only a vocation but the life path I wanted to pursue. Since childhood, I had a strong inclination toward drawing and painting; although there were no artists in my family, I spent hours creating, inspired by the transformation of my surroundings, the family home that shifted from wood to concrete, and the spaces that shaped my early years.
Fountain of the Nymphs, 2023, oil on canvas, 24"x20".
Over time, my artistic practice has evolved, expanding from painting into installation and, more recently, ceramic sculpture. My work explores memory, transformation, and the passage of time through architectural landscapes and, in particular, fountains, which serve as enduring symbols of mystery and enigma.
Becoming an artist was not the result of a single moment, but of a continuous process. As I advanced in my studies and early exhibitions, I confirmed that art was the most honest and profound way to connect with my experiences and share them with others.
The Pond, 2020, oil on canvas, 76"x 648".
“My work explores memory, transformation, and the passage of time through architectural landscapes and, in particular, fountains, which serve as enduring symbols of mystery and enigma."
Jet of water, 2023, oil on canvas, 24"x 20".
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
At the moment, I am completing a painting that has become an important formal challenge in my practice, as each stage of the process has led me to new discoveries. The work is inspired by architectural reliefs I have encountered in gardens, which I reinterpret through painting while exploring how the colors of moisture interact and fuse with the surface of concrete.
In parallel, I am developing three ceramic sculptures (my first works in this medium). These pieces translate the fountains that have long inhabited my paintings into tangible form, extending my investigation from the pictorial to the sculptural realm.
Work in progress, oil on canvas, 78"x 90".
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
I often visit gardens to observe and take photos that I later use as references. Whenever I come across a fountain, I archive it in my photo collection for future use. It feels like filling an imaginary trunk with information that I can return to when I sit down to sketch new ideas and need a place to start.
Work in progress
Describe your practice and process. Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
My ideas simply come to me — sometimes in the studio, other times while moving through the world, at work, or even running on the beach. What matters most is staying attentive, so I don’t let them slip away.
Studio view
I found the island, Emerson Dorsch, Miami FL, 2024
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
My style has evolved over the years, moving from a simpler and more minimal approach to one that is increasingly ambitious in terms of painting. While I often begin with sketches or small studies, the true transformation takes place on the canvas, where I allow myself to go further and learn something new with each work. The more I grow as an artist, the more I realize that learning never ends: every piece is both a continuation of what I have done and an exploration of what I have yet to discover.
Research
Many artists live by their routines, what does that look like for you?
My routine starts at 9 p.m. and ends at midnight. The first and most essential step is making a full pot of coffee to last me through the whole process. After that, I have a few options: either finishing works that are already at an advanced stage, or simply sketching out ideas, or even painting them, but in a smaller format. Recently, I’ve also incorporated ceramic classes, which are giving me a new way of seeing and approaching my practice.
Research and work in progress (studio view)
Who are your biggest influences?
One of the artists who has greatly influenced my work is Giorgio de Chirico, as well as David Hockney. I also cannot fail to mention my mentor, Michel Pérez (El Pollo). And of course, Henry Rousseau, whose dreamlike and fantastical worlds have been a constant source of inspiration. I am also deeply inspired by John Martin and Thomas Cole, whose epic and visionary landscapes continue to resonate with my own exploration of memory and transformation.
Studio view
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
I remember Dr. Seuss cartoons, the book Gargantua and Pantagruel. The truth is, I was always looking for things full of fantasy.
How will Innovate Grant contribute to your practice?
Winning the Innovate Grant is deeply meaningful to me. After applying for years, receiving this recognition fills me with tremendous joy. Beyond the financial support, it serves as an inspiration to keep moving forward and pushing my practice further. It also represents a window of opportunity, allowing more people to discover and connect with my work.
(Left) Despelucada, 2023, oil on canvas, 24"x20".
(Right) Dome,2023, oil on canvas, 24"x 20".
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
I once remember my teacher telling me when I arrived in Miami at 20 years old: that I didn’t know where I was going, but I was very clear about where not to go.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Live fully and fight with persistence for your dreams , they are the true compass of an artist’s journey.
The enigma of an evening in Autumn. Emerson Dorsch Gallery, Miami, FL, 2021.
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