Eloy Torrez earned his BFA from Otis Art Institute. Prior to creating his first public mural, he worked to restore murals through Alozo Davis’ Brockman Productions. In 1991 he completed a major mural, outside of Paris France that was sponsored by the French Ministry of Culture. He originated from Barstow, New Mexico. (Robin Dunitz)
Eloy Torrez is an artist, painter, muralist, singer, songwriter. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, moved to California with family at age 13, attended Otis Art Institute 1977. Currently resides in Silver Lake, near downtown Los Angeles.
Torrez has completed numerous public and private commissions since he attended Otis Art Institute. His last mural, is the addition to “Portrait of Hollywood”(2003), the John Ritter tribute mural on Hawthorn and Highland Ave, on the exterior wall of the Hollywood High School auditorium.
Torrez has exhibited his studio work internationally since 1978. His paintings focus on the human figure and psychological circumstance. The work is usually executed with oil paint on canvas or metal.
Torrez began painting murals in 1983 (“Legends of Hollywood,” – destroyed during the Northridge Earthquake in 1994.) Other murals include “The Pope of Broadway” (Victor Clothing Co.) – 1984 “Entrada a un Nuevo Mundo” Francs-Moisins, Cite Francs-Moisins, St. Denis, France -1991 and “Water, essence of life” 1998, an installed, interior mural for the Metropolitan Water District Building, downtown Los Angeles.
Awards include 2009 C.O.L.A.; 2004, California Community Foundation, for mid-career grant and 1995 Brody Fellowship for the Humanities, Hollywood Arts Council “Charlie” Award for Public Art, Honoree for years with the HeArt Project Workshops, 2007, and several certificates of recognition for public art or service. He is also a recipient of numerous artist residencies.
He has conducted art workshops (drawing, painting, mural) for all ages at Self Help Graphics, Covenant House, Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood, Arts council of Kern County and other entities and schools in the greater Southern California area, with the HeArt Project/Central High School Drawing & Painting Workshops. (http://eloytorrezart.com/?page_id=2)
