“I consider myself an artist passionate about figurative art, realistic art, and the stories I want to tell,” Saul Salazar.
Saul Salazar, a Salvadoran artist and architect, sees the world through a unique lens—a combination of architectural precision and the emotional depth of figurative art. Born in the department of Ahuachapán, though he only lived there for a short time, Saul grew up in the nearby district of Chalchuapa, part of Santa Ana. Despite the geographical shift, he often refers to Ahuachapán when giving biographical details, a place that marks the start of his story, even if his formative years were spent elsewhere.
From a young age, Saul’s environment fueled his creative drive. “Since I was a child, I’ve always had the urge to draw. My mom says I would stain absolutely everything from the age of four. She recalls how I often drew buses with kitchen charcoal on the concrete. My family never scolded me for making a mess. I’ve always received a lot of love and support from them,” he remembers.
This freedom to explore, combined with his family’s unwavering support, was essential to nurturing his artistic aspirations. His journey toward architecture, however, began later, during his late adolescence. “Architecture is a versatile field,” Saul explains. “It allows me to continuously share and practice art, alongside exploring other approaches and uses of it.”
Saul’s formal training in architecture began at the age of 18 at the University of El Salvador, where the demands of the discipline helped hone his eye for detail. “Architecture taught me a lot about perspective and shadow, about how light functions in space,” he reflects.
“It also gave me a deeper understanding of composition and design.” While these lessons initially served his architectural pursuits, they have since become integral to his work as an artist, particularly when it comes to capturing realistic imagery with a keen attention to detail.
When asked how he would define himself as an artist, Saul’s answer offers a glimpse into his storytelling style. “I consider myself an artist passionate about figurative and realistic art, as well as the stories I want to tell. I deeply enjoy portraying our people, adding everyday elements to reflect the beauty of life. At the same time, I aim to depict how tough life can sometimes be and show the strength needed to overcome any situation.”
This philosophy of blending beauty with struggle is evident in his work. His art reflects a deep connection to Salvadoran identity, often portraying people from his homeland with lifelike precision. Through his pieces, Saul captures both the beauty of everyday life and the challenges that come with it.
One such example is his participation in the exhibition “La Eternidad de la Naturaleza,” where Saul chose to explore the natural world. “I focused on capturing its beauty. I used pens and watercolors for most of the works I presented. I enjoy the colorful, realistic style and aimed to simulate volume, color, and detail through the saturation of colored pencil lines,” he explains.
As for conveying deep emotions through detail, Saul says he has been able to transmit these emotions in a way that connects with the public. “I can feel it in the feedback I receive from the audience at events. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear it. I believe this is achieved through a lot of dedication and passion for what one does—drawing and painting are what keep me alive,” he shares. For Saul, this connection is what drives his creative process—dedication and passion infuse every stroke of his brush and pencil.
Saul’s work is rooted in the familiar setting of his home. “I always work at home, using my two desks, and I need natural daylight. I’ve grown accustomed to working with natural light, as it helps me see colors and details more clearly.”
His days are filled with art-inspired activities that keep him creating through different means. “At the moment, not every day is the same—I don’t have a typical routine. Some days I teach art, work on book edits with my clients, or spend time illustrating, painting, or doing portraits,” he describes.
While there’s no typical day in his life, Saul’s schedule is always busy, balancing art classes, book illustrations, commissioned pieces, and personal projects. One client, in particular, has been with him for years, requesting everything from graphic design to custom illustrations. Yet, despite the many professional commitments, Saul always finds time to paint and prepare for future exhibitions.
Much of Saul’s inspiration is drawn from the rich cultural fabric of El Salvador. “I am regularly inspired by Salvadoran identity. I enjoy painting our people with a realistic approach, trying to tell stories through each of my works,” he shares. “The process begins with working from various photographs, thinking through the composition, choosing light sources, and directing the light. Then, I create a small sketch of the piece, refine the sketches, and focus on material treatment and the interplay of light and shadow.”
As Saul explains, the process starts with having a clear idea of what you want to paint and what you want to express. “It’s about creating a piece that invites dialogue and interpretation at exhibitions,” he notes.
The creation of each piece is meticulous, involving photographs, careful composition, thoughtful lighting choices, and the delicate work of shadows.
Saul’s architectural background plays a pivotal role in shaping his artistic approach. As he explains, “I believe that architecture and realistic drawing complement each other greatly. Architecture provides knowledge of perspective, proportion, and geometry, which enriches artistic representation, while drawing and painting allow us to visualize architectural projects, generate ideas, and develop aesthetic sensitivity.”
He goes on to highlight the reciprocal relationship between the two disciplines: “Architecture inspires artists with its forms, light, and shadow, while art helps architects explore beauty and composition. In this way, both fields nourish each other, blending technique with creativity. Though artists are rarely architects, and architects seldom engage in the arts, when these two expressions come together, they can form an excellent team.”
For Saul, drawing and painting are not only creative outlets but tools for visualizing and developing architectural concepts, all while cultivating an aesthetic sensitivity that bridges the two realms. The way he sees it, these disciplines feed into one another, merging artistic technique with architectural precision. And although architects and artists typically work in separate spheres, the fusion of their worlds can become a powerful, transformative force.
Saul believes that art possesses a profound power to shape social awareness and promote culture. “Art is a universal language that breaks down barriers. It fosters communication, dialogue, and reflection,” he asserts.
For Saul, art transcends all boundaries. “My purpose in art is to invite introspection and create a connection between the viewer and my works. I aim to reach those who seek a deep connection with the gazes and faces, with stories frozen in each portrait, waiting to be told forever.”
To him, art serves as a bridge, allowing viewers to engage with the subjects of his paintings on a deeper level. His goal as an artist is to inspire retrospection and foster connection, particularly with those who seek a greater understanding of the faces and stories he portrays. “I want my work to offer a moment of reflection, to invite the viewer into the world I’ve captured,” he says.
One work that stands out in Saul’s career is Desesperanza, a graphite pencil portrait of a young boy whose face is filled with anger and frustration. “This boy’s brother was killed in a tragic incident. He was simply going to pick up his aunt, but a group of people stopped him and took his life,” Saul recalls.
“The boy in the portrait lived through the death of his brother, whose only ‘crime’ was being in a distant area far from home. He had simply gone to pick up his aunt, but he was intercepted and killed. In the drawing, I wanted to capture the resentment, anger, and frustration of that moment. The police tape behind the boy serves as a clear symbol of the tragedy,” Saul explains.
The raw emotion in the boy’s face is unmistakable, and the police tape in the background intensifies the sense of loss and injustice. “What makes this painting especially meaningful to me is that I knew the boy, and his younger brother is a relative of mine,” Saul shares. This piece marked a turning point in his artistic journey, pushing him to refine his technique and to convey even deeper emotional resonance in his work.
“This piece has pushed me to improve the technical quality of my drawings, ensuring that the details remain in people’s memory, as well as capturing more intense and well-executed expressions,” he reflects.
Saul’s international recognition has grown through participation in collective exhibitions, such as the 1st International Muralism Encounter in the Technique of Sgraffito in Mexico City.
“It’s incredible to be part of collective exhibitions,” he says. “My participation in the international exhibition and mural festival in Mexico, representing El Salvador, left me with many lessons and experiences. I learned a great deal, both in the technique of sgraffito and in the history and composition of murals. This event also brought me several artist friends with whom I can share and learn a great deal about art.”
Saul shares that in Mexico, he had the opportunity to learn from other artists and deepen his understanding of sgraffito, mural history, and composition. These experiences not only helped him grow as an artist but also forged lasting friendships with fellow creators, exchanging ideas and techniques.
Looking ahead, Saul has big dreams. “I would love to participate in more international exhibitions. One of my goals is to have a solo exhibition in a prominent gallery, both nationally and internationally, and to have many people interested in purchasing my work. I am always motivated to paint because it’s something I deeply enjoy. I’ve been painting long before I sold any works, and even when I wasn’t selling anything back then, I never felt discouraged. So, even if things don’t go well or I fade into obscurity, I will never stop painting,” he shares.
For Saul, art is not just about personal expression but also about representing his country on the global stage. “Art can be a powerful diplomatic tool,” he says, “one that transcends language and connects people emotionally and culturally.”
Art can be a powerful diplomatic tool when representing a nation at international events, as it transcends language barriers and connects people on an emotional and cultural level. Artistic expressions allow a nation to share its values, traditions, and stories.
Saul believes that through painting, cultural identity is strengthened by capturing and spreading the unique expressions of a community, allowing other nations to appreciate and value its richness. “This wealth of art exists among its people, in the cities, in the vegetation—art also tells the history of a country, its difficult moments, its days of change. Through the eyes of its artists, other nations gain a different perspective on a country’s context,” he concludes.
In every stroke of his brush, every detail of his drawings, Saul Salazar tells nuanced stories of El Salvador—not just the beauty, but also the struggles, the triumphs, and the enduring strength and character of its people.
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Soledad Quartucci, CEO, Latina Republic
Latina Republic envisions a world where the beauty and resilience of Latin American and Caribbean cultures are recognized and appreciated globally. By amplifying the voices of artists and cultural custodians, we strive to cultivate a deeper understanding of the region’s challenges and triumphs. Our goal is to inspire greater appreciation for the arts as a tool for empathy, unity, and transformative social change. Through our work, we aim to equip all stakeholders with essential insights for addressing regional challenges, ultimately enriching the global cultural landscape and portraying the victories and hardships of everyday life in Latin America.
