About | arielmesseca

Biography

Messeca at RAW ARTISTS DC: MAGNIFY show at the Howard

Theater in DC

Ariel Messeca re-defines classic portraiture by bringing it back into the context of the millennial world. His work examining the face takes the 'selfie' to high art. His subjects range from pop culture, people within his community, and even straight from his imagination.

Messeca works with Acrylic paints on canvas and paper. When using paper, thick pieces of dried paint are collaged to create depth and unique forms. On canvas, swirling bold geometric shapes represent the collages in a 2-dimensional way.

Inspiration to rediscover the face derives from artists such as Chuck Close and some of his favorite contemporaries, Elizabeth Peyton and Hernan Bas. After graduating from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania with a double major in Studio Art and Theater, Messeca settled in Maryland. Though he predominantly showcases in the D.C. area where his work has been in several publications and galleries, his work can be seen all over the world.

Messeca at the opening of the

Chevy Chase Design Center

where his work was featured in

a solo show

Testimonials and Reviews

"The moment I saw the first piece I bought, I knew it had to be mine. It spoke to me immediately. Now I am the proud owner of two of your magnificent works and I cherish them. The best part is that I have come to know you as a person and an artist and they have even more meaning to me. Thank you!"

-Michael- Collector

"With so much expression, color and charm is it any wonder why the series of ladies wins a place in your heart. Each lady's personality is right in front of you with playfulness and an invitation to look again. I adore them".

-Nancy Spitzer- Collector/Artist

"(Messeca) inculate(s) realism with cubism, inter-acting with the decorative fractured marvel of a sensual Klimt or Picasso....

all within (his) own intuitive signiture brio of brushwork.

It's mesmorazing (his) ability to imbue a head (or even bisect it) with free form shapes and color values, all capturing attitude and inner drama in (the) subjects expressive silence, within which he is ever orating his sensate mystery."

-Judy Horowitz- Celebrated Portraitist