Juan Mira The Elusive Artist
Juan Mira is an extremely elusive artist. He puts his artwork in the limelight while he remains in the shadows. He does not make public appearances or promote himself, but prefers letting his artwork speak for him. It is all about the art.
The Peter Max Connection
Juan Mira’s art obviously is strongly influenced by Peter Max. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, as a young boy Mira was surrounded by the art of Peter Max – From his
pencils and notebooks he used in school to the many posters and pictures that were pop culture of the times. Interestingly, as a boy Mira did not try directly emulating Peter Max outright, but the paint jobs on his made-up fantasy drawn motorcycles often appeared in a Peter Max style. Young Mira was most infatuated with drawing and painting characters from Mad and Cracked magazines.
It would be later in life that Peter Max’s inspiration came back to Mira. First with an actual Peter Max piece purchased by his parents. Then decades later in his art career when subconsciously Peter Max appeared out of nowhere in his art which developed into a near obsession.
Like Peter Max, Mira paints in a contemporary Pop Art style featuring bold colors and broad strokes. He also keeps with many of the themes popularized by Peter Max such as people with umbrellas, galactic scenes, flowers, flags, hearts, and sunsets.
To really get inside Peter Max’s art, Mira often painted (and still does on occasion) roughly the same images as Peter Max paintings. As he became more comfortable and confident, Mira started adding his own elements to his paintings.
Here are several Mira paintings that are very close to the original Peter Max paintings.
Changing Some Key Elements
Umbrella Lady Under The Rainbow
As a diversion and varying a Peter Max painting, Mira sometimes maintains the basics, but adds in his own artistic statement by changing key characters/images.
Umbrella Lady Under The Rainbow is an earthly landscape with a burst of colorful galactic intervention. Umbrella Lady is out for a “galactic” stroll under a colorful dripping rainbow. The two key elements that Mira changed were the Umbrella Lady and adding the predominantly colorful flowing Rainbow.
Umbrella Couple with New Moon
Taken from Peter Max’s New Moon, Umbrella Couple with New Moon adds a whole different feeling to the Peter Max composition/painting. The couple tenderly embracing under the umbrella instills a loving sentimental and emotional touch becoming the feature of the painting.
Umbrella Couple with New Moon
On occasion Mira paints commissions for various clients. That is how Umbrella Couple New Moon came about. At first the client wanted to buy several pieces to make a collage of Mira paintings. She had made her mind up on American Pie and Engaging The Sun. But wasn’t sure about what other paintings would work with her idea. Her problem was that she had a large featured space above her sofa that she wanted to fill. However, when it was discovered that she planned on framing them all the same, it was recommended that American Pie not be framed because of its faux frame painted on the canvas. She was really set on it but understood the artistic dilemma.
It came out that the client really liked Peter Max’s New Moon. Her problem was solved! Mira took on the commission and with the client’s approval, came up with painting a couple in place of Peter Max’s character.
Much like Peter Max’s art, Mira’s art makes a strong connection with people. Here is an example from the client, Linda P. (New Jersey), of Umbrella Couple with New Moon.
“So, I came home to a box at my front door and boy did I get excited. I have to be honest and say I was a bit nervous too.
I opened the box and unwrapped the most wonderful and colorful picture of beauty and love. It is even better than what I expected. The colors are so vibrant and exactly what I imagined. The couple makes it even more spectacular.
I am going to call my framer tomorrow and make an appointment with her. I am going to surround this picture with the most beautiful frame. I have it in my head. I will send you a picture once it’s hung.
You are a master of the arts and may you continue to find happiness and love in all that you do. We will speak soon!
Thank you, thank you.
Linda xoxo”
Adding Subtle Realism
Another major diversion from Peter Max is Mira’s frequent use of touches of realism in with the pop art scene (Some painting examples include: Embracing The Sun, American Pie, US Liberty Flag with Heart and Moon). The two styles used simultaneously are not overtly noticed, but harmonize together in the painting. Mira also uses the realism to put meaning in his artwork with symbolism that combine with his style to give an emotional and positive feeling.
Engaging The Sun
Sunsets are one of the most popular landscape painting styles. With Engaging The Sun Mira adapts Peter Max’s Without Borders to his own style. The title of the painting is represented primarily by the couple in the center in silhouette. The man is about to ask the woman to marry him. He first asked for her hand. She puts it out in front of her. The man grabs her hand as the woman looks down at the strange way the man is grasping it. With his other hand he slips a ring on her finger. This is the exact moment of the painting. The woman has yet to fully comprehend what has happened as she stares at the ring.
American Pie
The use of realism has become one of the key characteristics and major diversion from Peter Max.
For example, Mira has turned Peter Max’s flags with painted frames concept into realism by making the frames faux.
At first glance both American Pie and US Liberty Flag with Heart and Moon paintings appear to be in frames painted to compliment the paintings. However, what Mira did was paint the whole image on the canvas making it appear that they are in painted frames. Mira also painted the edges to complete the appearance of the paintings being in frames. He even added some aging to the frames as well.
US Liberty Flag with Heart and Moon
In US Liberty Flag with Heart and Moon it too appears to be in a frame that is painted to compliment the painting. Again Mira painted the whole image on canvas making it appear that it is in a painted frame. Further enhancing the illusion is that the frame area is varnished with a satin finish and the flag portion is varnished with a high gloss finish.
Patriotism is the strong theme with the Statue of Liberty portrait painted on the flag. Various hearts suggest love of country. The moon is symbolic relating to the line in The Star Spangled Banner: Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Umbrella Girl #1
Original Characters
In combination with the diversion of realism and adding or changing characters from Max, Mira started coming up with his own characters and images. One of the first was Umbrella Girl after Max’s Umbrella Man.
Artistically, the brush strokes are applied and the colors harmonize similarly to Umbrella Man. She holds an umbrella that geometrically reflects the shape of her dress. The umbrella is not round and smooth but shaped like “The Blade” which traditionally has symbolized manhood. She is accomplishing the same task as the man, but still maintaining her feminine physique. Her legs give a hint of sex appeal and her stylish large brimmed Fedora hat demonstrates her confidence. The feather represents her freedom to do and be whatever she wants.”
Mira has gone on to create additional characters such as the Neo Sisters, Balloon Man, Little Man and Dog, Various Hearts, and others.
Mira to the Max
Peter Max Prints Framed with Mira Painted Mats
Mira found a way to unite himself with Peter Max in an unintended collaboration. He did this in two different manners.
First, by actually extending an authentic and rare Peter Max print with a complimentary Mira painted mat. Mira tries to get inside Peter Max’s head by artistically expanding upon the print. This feature makes a rare art print an original work of art. These framed editions have become an enormous hit with collectors and art connoisseurs. They are always a sellout.
Framed Max/Mira Triptychs
Secondly, through the use of framed triptychs Mira has matched his artwork with rare Peter Max fine art prints.
The Peter Max print appears in the center with an original Mira painting on either side. The Mira paintings always relate in some way to the Peter Max print. Often the Mira paintings are original unique characters (see below). These too have become an enormous hit with collectors and art connoisseurs. And are always a sellout.
Paintings with Painted Frames
Mira’s latest collection is a take off from Peter Max’s painted frames. Like Peter Max, instead of being a wood finish the frames are painted to match and compliment the painting. Peter Max is most known for using this technique with his flag paintings. Mira has taken that a step further and applied it to a complete array of subjects.
Mira Fine Art Prints
The popularity of Mira paintings has created a demand for Mira fine art prints. This is a more economical means of owning Mira artwork. For a personal touch Juan Mira does a limited number of “hand embellished” prints on paper and canvas. All types of Mira prints (framed and unframed) are available in MacDonald Gallery Showroom and on Ebay, Fine Art America, and from other retailers.
