Zahonnara


Leo Cortes's wife Zahonnara is portrayed through elements of realism before a

dynamic background of clouds and water. The figure presents a clear inclination

towards realism while maintaining harmony with painterly strokes in the sky. The

subtle glow emanating from the figure gives an almost spiritual and angelic feel

to her and the confident position of shoulder, arms and hands implies

bravado and strength. The compositional make-up of this piece also remains

faithful to geometric principles of aesthetic beauty in nature.

(All art is welcomes to interpretation)
Oil on canvas 30 X 40"

 Self Portrait


Using mirror observation, this self portrait depicts the need to surpass one's own

limitations. The order of thought intent on breaking barriers is focused on the

fingers that reach out and touch the other side. Enduring pain and discomfort during

the creation of this piece also parallels overcoming hardship in life and in war.

Despite the loss of sensation to Leo's right big toe for five months after holding

this pose for hours every day, he continued without the use of photographic reference.

(All art is welcomes interpretation)
30 X 50"  Oil on canvas

Armada Cure


This masterful painting depicts the physical, psychological, and

 socioeconomic implications of our stratified order resulting in the current

condition of people in the United States and humanity as a whole. Leo's

hand clearly presents the social entanglement of people struggling to

get ahead and the contortion of principles originally laid out by our nations

founders. The power of people is also visible by the strong energy at

the very heart of the painting. Our human ability of survival, innovation,

discovery, and awareness are also illustrated in a squarely bound

utopian sky.

(All art is welcomes interpretation)
47 X 47"  Oil on canvas

Child's Future


A view into a the conceptual and creative past of Leo D. Cortes, shows him

as a twelve year old boy looking into his own imagination. This painting takes a
 
glimpse into the ever changing world of ideas both conscious and sub-conscious,

and the mental separations are represented by atmospheric distortions. Anomalies

and distortions seen here are also prevalent in other work, and are part of

what maintains conceptual continuity between all works. The largest face in the

painting is symbolic of the "father" both terrestrial and as an anthropomorphization

of a universal consciousness. The figure on the left is a symbol

of "motherhood" and fertility.

(All art is welcomes interpretation)
24 X 29"  Oil on canvas

 Z. Blueprint


Blueprint-like illustration showing the various plans for a sketch in

its initial stages before the completed full color design. A picture

reference was also added to the piece in order to show

medial transpositioning.

(All art is welcomes interpretation)
14 X 11"  Digital color

 Z.Color


The final version of Z. Comic is a stylized illustration using a wide

palette of colors, values, and reflected light implying a techno ambient

environment. Conceptually, the idea of creating a fictional character

by reference of a real individual opens a floodgate of storytelling.

possibilities by means of personal experiences arranged, interpreted

and exaggerated into an exciting piece of fictional material.

(All art is welcomes interpretation)
14 X 11"  Digital color