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Welcome to my latest artist spotlight, where I dive into the creative mind of Rene Gonzalez, an artist whose work blurs the line between reality and the fantastical. Rene’s paintings are a journey through lush, dreamlike landscapes populated by symbolic animals, vibrant natural worlds, and narratives steeped in folklore and myth.

In this exclusive interview, Rene shares his artistic journey, from his early inspirations to the deeply personal connections that inform his work. We explore how his unique blend of tropical and European influences creates surreal environments that captivate and intrigue. Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious about the stories behind the brushstrokes, this conversation is sure to inspire and transport you into Rene’s magical world.

Let’s dive in!

1. What inspired you to pursue art as a career? Was there a defining moment in your life when you realized that creating art was your calling?

It was a gradual process, like it was always in the background to a certain degree and I was a bit introverted but I loved expressing myself, creating things and “performing” as a kid. I was that kid that’s always drawing, in a music band and in school plays, though none of it was very serious. Over time though, I realised my heart was really in it so I started taking artistic expression more seriously. I became involved with the graffiti and mural art scene in Costa Rica and that was my initial stepping into the larger art world formally I suppose.

There’s definitely been pivotal moments when I had to take leaps of faith or make important life decisions, like moving to London to pursue an art career without any contacts or familiarity with the art scene here… it can be terrifying, but it’s also reaffirming, and in hindsight these moments kind of mark a path I’ve been on as an artist. Art is my passion, and I’ve gone all in on it.

2. Your paintings have a dreamlike quality with vibrant natural landscapes and fantastical elements. Can you describe how you approach building these surreal environments? Where does your inspiration come from?

When people tell me my work is dreamlike, it makes me smile and gives me some relief. I feel like, at least I’ve achieved “something”! My aim as an artist is to capture and convey specific emotions or moments that resonate with me. The works that best express these intangible ideas are rooted in mystery or the fantastical, allowing us to fill in the gaps of what’s unseen or unsaid. I take inspiration from art like the paintings of Rousseau, Kiki Smith, Arthurian myths, fairytales, and the surreal dreamscapes of Fellini and Lynch. These and many more influences shape the worlds I create in my paintings.

3. There’s a strong presence of animals like deer, foxes, and felines in your pieces. Is there deeper symbolism behind these creatures, particularly the fox, which seems to represent the outsider in many of your works?

Yes, this developed naturally as my work evolved. Initially, the creatures I painted were meant to symbolise ideas specific to each piece. But at some point, everything clicked, and my work became a more “interconnected” world with recurring themes and narratives. The fox is a key symbol for me.

When I first returned to London after a wrongful deportation and a six-month legal battle, I sometimes felt like an outsider in my own home. Around that time, I had been feeding a fox in my street, trying to befriend him after seeing locals treat him unkindly. This connection with the fox deeply resonated with me. It made me think about feeling misunderstood and out of place while just trying your best to do well. Because I love London and the history and traditions here. It’s become my home. So it’s weird in a way to not entirely belong. That experience became a recurring motif in my work, alongside broader storytelling elements in each of my compositions.

4. You blend elements from tropical forests and European woodlands, creating a fusion of natural worlds. What draws you to these contrasting environments, and how do they reflect your experiences or emotions?

I think a lot about the abstract notion of the Garden of Eden—a land before history, more of a concept than an actual place, a little bit like Avalon as well, these places that we know about and when named we form and idea and feeling of the place, but we can’t really make out species of the plants, animals and spaces there because they’re, in essence, unknowable. My paintings feature “meanings” I’ve attached to these environments, rather than accurately depicting specific places and climates. Having lived in both tropical and temperate regions though, it’s natural that these sceneries emerge in my work.

5. Folklore, myth, and allegory play significant roles in your storytelling. Are there specific cultural stories or legends that have influenced your work? Can you share an example?

Yes, I’m fascinated by all kinds of stories and legends, but Arthurian and Norse myths resonate a lot with me. Stories like the Knights’ quest for the Holy Grail, the Green Knight, Odin’s animal transformations, and Odin’s sacrificial death and rebirth on Yggdrasil are loaded with themes of courage, cowardice, life cycles, loss, and spirituality. These are very evocative narratives for me, which I associate with a visual language that balances mystery and the magical with a more grounded kind of imagery of the woods and nature, that makes it subtle and very effective in my opinion.

6. Your art often portrays otherworldliness, yet it feels deeply rooted in nature. How do you balance the fantastical and the familiar?

I think the most effective depictions of the mystical happen at the boundary between the “real” and the “magical.” As with myths and folklore, we have cultural aesthetics tied to a “magic of reality.” In Western traditions, nature itself—trees, forests, and the land—is often imbued with mystical qualities, like the will-o’-the-wisps, the Lady of the Lake, or falling stars. Even if we now understand these phenomena scientifically, they retain symbolic or spiritual significance.

7. When you begin a painting, do you start with a specific story in mind, or do you allow the imagery to evolve organically? How much of your process is pre-planned versus spontaneous?

It’s a mix of both. I try to plan my compositions, but it’s often the spontaneous “happy accidents” that become the most effective parts of the piece. These moments shape the overall work, often eclipsing the initial plan. Over time, I’ve learned to trust the process and let the painting take its own direction.

8. Your works have an ethereal, meditative quality. How important is the emotional atmosphere for the viewer, and what do you hope to evoke through your art?

The emotional atmosphere is very personal to me. I try to hold onto a specific emotion and manifest it as accurately as possible in my work. It can have more or less effective results depending on the painting, but the more specific the initial intention is, the more it tends to be reflected in the emotion of the final artwork. It could be fear, joy, sadness, courage, or ambition—any emotion that feels meaningful, or that comes from a genuine passion or desire to express that idea. I aim to tell stories that inspire or provoke reflection, ultimately, hopefully, to reach the viewer’s heart.

9. Your paintings often depict animals in lush environments. What is the relationship between these animals and their surroundings?

The animals in my work often represent specific ideas or emotions. For example, a fox among deer suggests the isolation of an outsider. Deer are seen as regal and majestic, while foxes are considered vermin or mischievous in folklore. These dynamics reflect social relationships, specific ones for me, but viewers bring their own interpretations to the artwork. It’s not very important to me that people read into my work, my ”intention” as an artist, but simply that it resonates with them at some level. How much they wish to understand the artist’s intention is secondary in my opinion, though I myself often get lost in wormholes trying to decipher the meaning behind the artworks of other artists I love.

10. Your use of colour is striking yet balanced. How do you approach colour theory in your work?

My use of colour is intuitive and evolves over time. Seasons, themes, and even the works of other artists inspire my palettes. Living in London and engaging with its artistic community has also deeply enriched my practice.

11. The human characters in your work often appear alone, surrounded by nature. What does this relationship represent?

I think our culture tends to separate humanity and nature, but my art aims to romanticise a balance between the two. This solitude reflects self-exploration and psychology, reinforcing the themes of personal journeys in my work.

12. Many artists face creative blocks. How do you overcome those moments?

You simply have to accept them. Creativity ebbs and flows. Sometimes inspired efforts don’t work out, and other times the best results come from uninspired mistakes. The key is to keep working and trust that something worthwhile will emerge.

13. Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

I draw inspiration from literature, film, and a vast range of artists, both contemporary and historical. Some contemporary influences include Georg Wilson, Robin Mason, Natasha Hulse, and my incredibly talented wife, Tuesday Riddell. The list is endless, but each inspires me in unique ways.

14. For those just discovering your art, what would you like them to know about you and your vision?

I wouldn’t want to restrict my art to specific terms, but I’m happy to be associated with “decorative” and “storytelling,” even if these concepts can sometimes be maligned. My art is how I express myself honestly and purely. Stories have profoundly shaped my life, and I hope my work resonates and connects with others.

Thank you for joining me in exploring the visionary world of Rene Gonzalez. His work not only reflects a deep connection to nature and storytelling but also invites us to see the beauty in the mystical and the symbolic. Through his evocative paintings, Rene reminds us of the timeless power of art to inspire, challenge, and move us.

If this interview has sparked your curiosity, I encourage you to take a closer look at his portfolio and immerse yourself in the worlds he creates. Let his art guide you into landscapes of imagination, emotion, and wonder.

Daniel Turriani