Playa San Juanillo
Acrylic with textures 100 x 180 cm | 39.4 x 70.9 in.
Costa Rica, b.
Lives and works in Escazú, Costa Rica
Jaime Gurdián’s abstract, highly textured acrylic paintings bring to life the natural beauty of Costa Rica's Guanacaste region. He often mixes the sand from Costa Rica's beaches into the paint to uniquely celebrate the country's oceans and beaches - a fascination that has driven him since childhood.
Through abstract forms and rich textures, he aims to evoke the sensory experience of being by the sea – the feel of the sand, the sound of the waves, and the play of light on water.
From a young age, Gurdián was captivated by the sea, observing the movement of waves and the changing colours of the water and sand. The influence of these memories allowed him to translate these experiences onto canvas; his paintings are representations and reflections of his deep connection to the sea.
Beyond beaches, Gurdián’s passion extends to the broader landscapes of Costa Rica. His canvases often feature the country’s diverse flora and fauna, showcasing its unique ecosystems.
Gurdián hopes his paintings will inspire others to appreciate the natural world as deeply as he does, promoting a greater connection to the environment.
Why We Love This Artist
Jaime has an extraordinary ability to make you feel the Guanacaste coast — we have watched people stop in front of his canvases and visibly relax, something in the texture and colour doing the work of memory. He is endlessly inventive in how he gets there, always seeking new ways to bring the natural world onto the canvas; his most recent work incorporates crushed river stones mixed directly into the paint. The results are landscapes you want to reach out and touch.
Jaime Gurdián L. in his studio (Photography by Julio Sequeira).