Izzy Paez

Izzy Paez is a Latine visual artist working out of Toronto Canada. The main themes explored in Izzy's work are connectivity, lost stories, and alt-reality (dreamworlds) Growing up in Mexico, Paez's childhood was often highlighted by the many Leyendas (legends), folklore, or cuentos (stories) that served to warn children of danger or teach important lessons. These stories made a lasting impression on Paez's young mind, and as a result, her work often revolves around storytelling. Some narrations may be recognizable folklore, while others are explorations of the dream world. Paez's creative journey has been a spiritual voyage. The process of creating is a purging of energy into vivid color palettes set against nocturnal backdrops. This contrast of emerging from darkness into vibrant saturation represents the revelation of spiritual bonds within the natural world. Paez has a deep connection to desert plants, which often make up the backdrop of many of her paintings and illustrations. This bond with desert plants was formed during her early childhood in Mexico. Paez believes these plants possess an unmatched resilience to climate and environmental changes, much like her Raíces; these raíces (roots) are at the core of her artistic perspective and life cosmology.