TENDING
TO THE FIRE
Jonlouis’s solo exhibition at Momento, Miami, opening May 17th - June 1st.
Tending to the Fire begins with one of humanity’s oldest turning points: the origin of fire.
Through this new body of work, Gonzalez reflects on fire not only as a physical force, but as a living energy that exists within all of us—a symbol of passion, transformation, intuition, and presence. The artist explores the idea that life itself requires tending, and that the things which give us purpose must be continuously nurtured. Like a flame, our inner drive can dim through routine and distraction.
Using natural dyes and oils on raw canvas, the artist creates immersive worlds consumed by warmth, movement, and light. Handcrafted mahogany frames and uniquely shaped canvases extend beyond presentation, becoming sculptural forms themselves, windows into emotional and spiritual landscapes.
between the earth and sun
Jonlouis’s sixth exhibition at Scope Art Show, Miami, opening Dec 2nd- 7th.
Gonzalez’s newest works continue to explore the quiet exchanges between human and land, revealing a sense of oneness that is both physical and deeply spiritual. Throughout the series, the sun emerges as a guiding force and source of vitality, illuminating the unseen threads that connect us. The use of Amate “bark” Paper introduces a generational tradition from Mexico, crafted by family studios who have preserved this process for centuries. Alongside hand carved custom wood canvases and frames, these materials become both resource and ritual – honoring the abundance of the land and the enduring lineage of craftsmanship.
Through organic forms, textured surfaces, oil, and natural dyes, Gonzalez invites viewers to consider the subtle transmissions of energy that move through all living things. From the soil beneath our feet to the light that nourishes the soul.
beyondbeing
Jonlouis’s first solo exhibition at Art on Paper NY, opening September 4 - 7th.
With these eight new paintings, the artist turns his focus inward, reflecting on intuition, synergy, and earthbound frequencies. The title “Beyond Being” refers to our instinctive connection with our surroundings and our ability to receive and interpret signs from both the physical environment and beyond. Through his intuitive use of watercolor and free-flowing techniques, Gonzalez creates soft, dreamlike scenes that transport the viewer to unexplored worlds, spaces filled with both wonder and familiarity. Created in bold oil-stick strokes the cacti symbolize endurance, protection, and survival.
Within these ethereal works, Gonzalez embeds his “Astro figures” resembling the duality of human existence as both earthly and divine, fragile yet resilient. In the flourishing cacti, running rivers, and stillness of nature, rays of sunlight embrace their bodies. Softly transmitting answers, clues, confirmations, and guidance from the universe. With a gaze to the sky, the astro figures seem to offer a path of communication, inviting us to tune in.
Imagined Reality
Jonlouis’s fifth solo exhibition at Scope International Contemporary Art Show, opening Dec 3rd.
What separates us from our thoughts?
Imagined Reality explores our natural and boundless connection to the unseen world and our ability to bridge the gap between imagination and reality. Created with various free-flowing mediums, the eight new featured paintings mark an evolution in Jonlouis’s dynamic style—his compositions becoming softer, and communicating remarkable depth. Reflecting through fragmented memory and perspective, they recall an intimate sense of revelation, when a moment of clarity is beginning to unfold before your eyes or the feeling of becoming in tune with the cosmos. The background is conceptualized through subtle colors and dye techniques, heavy textures reveal rain and bodies of water, enveloping the characters and their surroundings. Jonlouis presents water as life's matter and matrix, and our search for renewal, clarity, and enlightenment.
Lay of the Land
Jonlouis’s group show exhibition at Vertical Gallery, Chicago, opening April 4th, 2025.
My latest collection, “Lay of the Land,” was inspired by my residency on small ranches in Jalisco, Mexico. Living and working alongside the locals, I sought to understand how relying on the land—as a source of nourishment, life, and even recreation—shapes our sense of purpose and belonging.
Using oils and airbrush on “Amate,” a traditional pre-Hispanic bark paper made from fig tree fiber and flattened with volcanic rock, I illustrate the profound bond between humanity and the land. These pieces reveal how embracing our role as harvesters and caretakers can bring a deeper sense of clarity, reminding us that land is more than just soil—it is the very source of life.
