I don’t plan my work. Everything I create comes from a curious thought, a flash of something in my mind. I just paint, draw, or sculpt what I see. I didn’t realize this was a skill—it always felt more connected to my schizophrenia or insomnia. The voices, the hallucinations, the chaos in my head—they fuel my art. Whatever it is, it works. My style is mine alone, and I’m proud to say I’m entirely self-taught.
I was born in Longmont, Colorado, in 1988, and I’ve been drawn to art since the second grade. Once I start a piece, I can go for hours—sometimes four, sometimes ten—barely stopping for a break. Art has been my constant.
Growing up, Lane Smith’s illustrations were a huge inspiration. I would stare at the covers of weird, wild books like The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man, and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. That strange, offbeat creativity stuck with me.
But it wasn’t easy. I wasn’t born into wealth or privilege. I was a low-income Latino kid, a minority who faced discrimination from the start. I didn’t know I’d been put on the wrong side of the law before I could even understand what that meant.
Teachers didn’t like my work, and it wasn’t because of what I was drawing. They didn’t like who was drawing it. I faced prejudice, even as a kid, and that made my relationship with art teachers cold. I saw grown adults act like children, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I was just a kid who wanted to draw.
But instead of letting it stop me, I took that frustration—the confusion and unfairness—and put it into my art. I became stubborn, more independent. I started to draw things that didn’t make sense but felt right. I would sketch what I saw in my dreams, or the tiny details I noticed around me—the flow of water, the flapping of a bird’s wings, the curve of a stranger’s ear. I looked deeply into things, trying to understand the emotions behind them.
As I got older, my art grew with me. It started to explore bigger ideas—philosophy, science, and how communities work. I began questioning the labels and identities we’re assigned, and the contradictions in our ideas of right and wrong. I like to dig into the grey areas—the spaces between rhetoric, propaganda, and natural law. I think about relationships beyond the human—how emotions bond like chemicals, how creativity is born like life itself. My art reflects the pieces of my life I’ve found to be fluid, complex, and subjective.
My work isn’t about following the rules, and it’s not about perfection. It’s about expressing what I see and feel—what makes sense to me, even if it doesn’t make sense to others. That’s the only way I know how to create.
About my works
Isiah’s commitment to excellence shines through in his meticulous use of Winsor and Newton Oil Colours and Gamblin Ivory, blending only the three primary colors to create a rich and dynamic palette. With a profound understanding of high and low-key values, Isiah’s artwork illuminates with a depth that captivates the senses, while his masterful use of black and white pigments enhances gradation, tones, and shadows, bringing his compositions to life with unparalleled transparency and texture.
Isiah’s unique approach to art has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim. From adorning T-shirts and Army Achievement coins for the United States Army to gracing the walls of prestigious exhibitions like the “Wild and Wonderful-Menagerie” in Washington, North Carolina, his work has captivated audiences across the nation. With nods from institutions like the Museum of Modern Arts (MoMA) and accolades such as the 2nd Place win in the Pleasure as Art Competition for sculpting and design, Isiah’s impact on the art world is undeniable.
Each piece in Isiah’s collection is a testament to his singular vision and unparalleled skill, making them sought-after treasures for collectors who appreciate artistry that pushes the boundaries of the imagination. Experience the surreal and truly one-of-a-kind world of Isiah Arvizu’s artwork, where every creation tells a story and invites you to explore the depths of the human experience.
All Rights are Reserved by the artist. © 2018-2024, Isiah A. Arvizu