Bio

I consider myself a custom artist, absorbing what I learn from the living world around me in order to create images that reveal an allegorical journey. Born in Anaheim, CA, my mother picked up everything to move us to the Bohemian artist community in Sausalito, CA. Growing up in this environment, I cultivated my inborn artistic abilities as I found myself immersed in a culture that both encourages and inspires radical freedom of expression through art. I credit my mothers’ creative sensibilities as my foremost inspiration. My work is motivated by the lives and stories of the people around me. I most enjoy painting faces, specifically, the essence and human nature that emerges from the soul beneath the skin. My art is described to be abstract figurative. I am influenced by Jazz, Hip Hop, House, Latin jazz and Rhythm & Blues. With music serving as an audible muse I describe the color in my paintings as derived from deep emotion and the rhythmic beats of existence. I currently live in San Francisco and take pleasure in dance, fashion and is actively involved in community support efforts.
*For more information regarding my art or to inquire about a custom piece for yourself please contact:
ariazuloaga@hotmail.com

A Tribute to New Orleans

A Tribute To New Orleans

Acrylica and Collage on Canvas

1 1/2' x 3'

Donated to a grassroots Katrina relief art auction.

This painting now hangs in New York somewhere. It was auctioned off, and all of the proceeds went to a grassroots Katrina Relief fund in New Orleans. I love jazz music, I love jazz culture, and from a visual perspective- I love jazz instruments. They are so sexy and soulful. I was thrilled to paint this one specifically in honor of New Orleans and the music that I love so much that was born there.

A Change Is Gonna Come- By panel and close-ups

Purple Mood


Green Mood
Gold Mood
Pink Mood

'A Change Is Gonna Come' is a series of 4 paintings on wood panels about 8' wide and 36" long. 'A Change Is Gonna Come' is also the title of a song by Leela James, a soulful, sassy songstress that resembles a shorter and younger Chaka Khan. She brings back the gut-singing of Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight. When I painted this, my life was in a transition- you know- the one where you can feel the positive change happening-but for some reason you stepped on some glue and it stops you from walking forward? Well- that is where I was at. My boyfriend and I were talking about some beautiful life changes- but life kept reminding me that there were a few things that needed to be fixed first. So each panel represented my moods. All of them good. I had to remind myself that every change that happens I have created for myself. The many colors and moods I may experience will bring about something beautiful and show the world something beautiful. I donated this to the Christopher Walker Foundation to raise money for Cricket's House, a home for abused and disadvantaged children. All 4 panels now live in a home in Truckee, California.

A Change Is Gonna Come
Acrylic on 4 Wooden Panels
Each panel is 8" x 36 "
Donated to the Christopher Walker Foundation for an Art Auction that raised $23,000 for abused and disadvataged children.

Red and Gold (AKA Red)
Acrylic and Collage on Canvas
4 ' x 3 '
Not For Sale.

One day a great friend of mine, Lana, asked me to paint her something. "What would it take for you to paint me something?" My reply was "Money for the cost of the supplies." She said okay, "lets go". "Go where?" I asked- she replied "to the art store to pick up your supplies". This is not the painting that I painted for her, but she is very similar. The same silhouette and colors- except I added gold to this one. I ended up having my first art show and sold my first painting, which was called 'Red', the one I had originally painted for Lana. I sold almost every peice I had shown that night (therefore many are not on this blog). The original Red was sold to a local art collector in North Beach and hangs in her home to this day. Since then, December of 2003, I have been painting. I am currently taking care of 'Red and Gold' (pictured here) while Lana is traveling the world. I am planning to re-create 'Red and Gold' in prints so other people can enjoy her.