Under the Influence Blog Post - Henry Flores (Ximena Alvarado)

Henry Flores, an Ecuadorian artist and graphic designer, currently working with the studio Tresneuronas. His work skillfully combines abstract and natural elements with bold, vibrant colors to create compositions that captivate viewers. Flores’s designs often feature model figures, either in full-body form or close-ups portraits, which he deconstructs into organic shapes. These figures are then seamlessly masked and composited with dynamic, colorful elements, resulting in visually compelling artwork. His unique blend of surrealism infuses each piece with a dreamlike quality, making his work both memorable and visually interesting. 

Henry Flores’s Behance portfolio presents a variety of series that incorporate similar design principles while introducing unique, playful elements within each. The series that I am interested in are his close-up portraits, such as Surf Face and Capricho, where a playful spirit is infused into the compositions. These works highlight vibrant colors not only through the models' makeup and attire but also through organic shapes incorporated throughout the designs. These shapes are creatively masked with textures and imagery, such as clothing cutouts and floral patterns, amplifying the series’ vibrancy and reinforcing each piece’s thematic depth.

Within most of his artwork, the elements are created into square compositions, which could be used for advertisements. In client projects, he often incorporates typography to enhance his compositions. His close-up compositions, notably those promoting perfumes, evoke emotions linked to scent, using surrealism to visually interpret the sensory experience of fragrance. This is achieved through organic shapes and layer masking, adding depth and intrigue.

For my own work, drawing from Flores's style by blending surrealism with vibrant, playful elements and breaking up objects using organic shapes will likely add a dynamic and expressive touch, similar to the striking visuals in the Surf Face series