Biography
On a summer morning in 1993, a 22-year-old arrived in Florida, USA, from Santa Clara, a historic town in central Cuba. In his bag, he carried only two things of real value: a set of worn brushes and a dream — the dream of becoming a professional artist in a new land that welcomed him with open arms.
Andrés López was born on July 6, 1971. From an early age, he developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of the countryside and the distinctive architecture of his hometown. At just nine years old, he began participating in drawing competitions, where landscapes quickly became his favorite subject.
As a teenager, Andrés pursued formal art studies at his local art school. Soon after, he committed himself fully to painting and craftwork, using his talent to help support his family.
After arriving in the United States, Andrés worked tirelessly to turn his artistic aspirations into reality. In 1999, he discovered a passion for mural painting and began dedicating himself to the medium. In 2003, he became a United States citizen, and in 2004 he founded Artistic Illusions Painting, Inc.
Today, with more than three decades of artistic experience, Andrés López continues to create, teach drawing and painting, and inspire others through art.
His teaching philosophy centers on building a strong artistic foundation for his students through drawing, composition, understanding value, and developing the essential tools they can carry throughout their creative lives.
Inspired by the beauty of nature and interpreted through a contemporary artistic vision, his recent work explores meaning within everyday scenes. His paintings reflect the intimate connection between human life and the natural world — a relationship that invites us to observe more carefully, respect more deeply, and care more intentionally for the environment around us.
Artist Statement:
"I am drawn to observing simple things, because sometimes that is where the hidden painting waits to be discovered by the artist’s eye. Through my work, I seek to create a closer relationship with the natural world and to humbly capture a fragment of its beauty on canvas. By listening to its quiet voice, we are reminded of how precious nature is — and how deeply we should value and protect it."
Shows and Awards:
. 2nd Annual Coastal Colors Paint Out, House of Refuge Museum, Stuart, FL 2026.
. “Art on the Square” juried outdoor fine art show presented by the Cornell Art Museum 2026.
. 4th Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 13th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse Art Center.
. Judge at the Art Guild of the Purple Isles Juried Show 2026.
. “Impressions of Italy” group art exhibition at Palm Beach Art, Antique & Design Showroom Nov 6th, 2025.
. “Impressions of Italy” Artist Panel Discussion at Cornell Art Museum of Delray Beach 2025.
. FIAF Farindola, Italy International Arts Festival 2025.
. Solo Show Exhibition at Cornell Art Museum of Delray Beach 2025
. 3rd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival.
. Hispanic Heritage exhibition at Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center 2024.
. 2nd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival.
. Painting in Paradise exhibition at the Delray Weisman Center 2024.
. Lighthouse Art Center 46th Annual Members’ Show & Sale
. Deerfield Beach Historical Society’s Art Stroll 2024.
. Painting in Paradise art exhibition at Cornell Art Museum 2024.
. Instructors Show 2024 at Key Largo Art League.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 11th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. "The World of WATER" exhibition at the Cornell Art Museum Delray Beach, FL April 7- June 30, 2023.
. Lighthouse Art Center 45th Annual Members’ Show & Sale
. Arteria 20ª edición - Feria de Arte Contemporáneo de Monzón, Huesca, España 22 , 23 April 2023
. 1st Deerfield Beach Plein Air Event at Deerfield Beach Historical Society, April 22, 2023.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 10th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. World Art Dubai Fair Mar 9-12, 2023 at Dubai World Trade Center
. Altis Ludlam trail group art exhibition / Art Basel Week 2022
.“Travel en Plein Air” exhibit at the Palm Beach Art, Antique & Design Showroom Oct. 1-28th 2022
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 9th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. Red Dot Miami 2021 / Art Basel Week
. Art Aid Naples Quick Draw 2021.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 7th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 8th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. HYSTERICA 2021 International Contemporary Art exhibition November, 19 - 30 2021,Milan, . Italy - Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain.
. DE.MO International Art Exhibition / m.a.d.s. art gallery / Milan Fashion Week
. Peter Powell Roberts Museum of art Solo Show.
. Group Show at Doral MDC Gallery.
. Solo Show at Sebring Regional Airport Gallery.
. "Art in Exile" exhibition at Coral Gables Museum.
________________________________________
. 1st place at 2nd Annual Coastal Colors Paint Out, House of Refuge Museum, Stuart, FL 2026.
. 3rd place at the 3rd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival
. 1st place at the 2nd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival
. 3rd place on the 1st Deerfield Beach Plein Air Event at Deerfield Beach Historical Society, April 22, 2023.
. Finalist at 8th Annual Paint me Miami 2019.
. 2nd place at 7th Annual Paint me Miami 2018 .
. 1st Place at Annual Everglades Day Plein Air Painting Competition.
. Honorable Mention "Affair en Plein Air" Grove House artists and Deering State.
On a summer morning in 1993, a 22-year-old arrived in Florida, USA, from Santa Clara, a historic town in central Cuba. In his bag, he carried only two things of real value: a set of worn brushes and a dream — the dream of becoming a professional artist in a new land that welcomed him with open arms.
Andrés López was born on July 6, 1971. From an early age, he developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of the countryside and the distinctive architecture of his hometown. At just nine years old, he began participating in drawing competitions, where landscapes quickly became his favorite subject.
As a teenager, Andrés pursued formal art studies at his local art school. Soon after, he committed himself fully to painting and craftwork, using his talent to help support his family.
After arriving in the United States, Andrés worked tirelessly to turn his artistic aspirations into reality. In 1999, he discovered a passion for mural painting and began dedicating himself to the medium. In 2003, he became a United States citizen, and in 2004 he founded Artistic Illusions Painting, Inc.
Today, with more than three decades of artistic experience, Andrés López continues to create, teach drawing and painting, and inspire others through art.
His teaching philosophy centers on building a strong artistic foundation for his students through drawing, composition, understanding value, and developing the essential tools they can carry throughout their creative lives.
Inspired by the beauty of nature and interpreted through a contemporary artistic vision, his recent work explores meaning within everyday scenes. His paintings reflect the intimate connection between human life and the natural world — a relationship that invites us to observe more carefully, respect more deeply, and care more intentionally for the environment around us.
Artist Statement:
"I am drawn to observing simple things, because sometimes that is where the hidden painting waits to be discovered by the artist’s eye. Through my work, I seek to create a closer relationship with the natural world and to humbly capture a fragment of its beauty on canvas. By listening to its quiet voice, we are reminded of how precious nature is — and how deeply we should value and protect it."
Shows and Awards:
. 2nd Annual Coastal Colors Paint Out, House of Refuge Museum, Stuart, FL 2026.
. “Art on the Square” juried outdoor fine art show presented by the Cornell Art Museum 2026.
. 4th Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 13th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse Art Center.
. Judge at the Art Guild of the Purple Isles Juried Show 2026.
. “Impressions of Italy” group art exhibition at Palm Beach Art, Antique & Design Showroom Nov 6th, 2025.
. “Impressions of Italy” Artist Panel Discussion at Cornell Art Museum of Delray Beach 2025.
. FIAF Farindola, Italy International Arts Festival 2025.
. Solo Show Exhibition at Cornell Art Museum of Delray Beach 2025
. 3rd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival.
. Hispanic Heritage exhibition at Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center 2024.
. 2nd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival.
. Painting in Paradise exhibition at the Delray Weisman Center 2024.
. Lighthouse Art Center 46th Annual Members’ Show & Sale
. Deerfield Beach Historical Society’s Art Stroll 2024.
. Painting in Paradise art exhibition at Cornell Art Museum 2024.
. Instructors Show 2024 at Key Largo Art League.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 11th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. "The World of WATER" exhibition at the Cornell Art Museum Delray Beach, FL April 7- June 30, 2023.
. Lighthouse Art Center 45th Annual Members’ Show & Sale
. Arteria 20ª edición - Feria de Arte Contemporáneo de Monzón, Huesca, España 22 , 23 April 2023
. 1st Deerfield Beach Plein Air Event at Deerfield Beach Historical Society, April 22, 2023.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 10th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. World Art Dubai Fair Mar 9-12, 2023 at Dubai World Trade Center
. Altis Ludlam trail group art exhibition / Art Basel Week 2022
.“Travel en Plein Air” exhibit at the Palm Beach Art, Antique & Design Showroom Oct. 1-28th 2022
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 9th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. Red Dot Miami 2021 / Art Basel Week
. Art Aid Naples Quick Draw 2021.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 7th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. Quick Draw Competition Professional Category during the 8th Annual Plein Air Festival week at Lighthouse art center.
. HYSTERICA 2021 International Contemporary Art exhibition November, 19 - 30 2021,Milan, . Italy - Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain.
. DE.MO International Art Exhibition / m.a.d.s. art gallery / Milan Fashion Week
. Peter Powell Roberts Museum of art Solo Show.
. Group Show at Doral MDC Gallery.
. Solo Show at Sebring Regional Airport Gallery.
. "Art in Exile" exhibition at Coral Gables Museum.
________________________________________
. 1st place at 2nd Annual Coastal Colors Paint Out, House of Refuge Museum, Stuart, FL 2026.
. 3rd place at the 3rd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival
. 1st place at the 2nd Annual Deerfield Beach Plein Air Festival
. 3rd place on the 1st Deerfield Beach Plein Air Event at Deerfield Beach Historical Society, April 22, 2023.
. Finalist at 8th Annual Paint me Miami 2019.
. 2nd place at 7th Annual Paint me Miami 2018 .
. 1st Place at Annual Everglades Day Plein Air Painting Competition.
. Honorable Mention "Affair en Plein Air" Grove House artists and Deering State.