Angel Gonzales Turns Leftover Paint into a Monumental Work of Art

In a world where precision and planning often dominate the creative process, Angel Gonzales has turned the act of improvisation into an annual tradition. Known for their her museum exhibits, solo shows, and international art presentations, this painter begins each new year by creating an abstract work from the leftover paints of the prior year. This year, the result is The Remnants, a sprawling, textured canvas that captures the essence of a prolific and dynamic artistic journey.

The Remnants

Unlike the meticulously planned pieces the artist is celebrated for, "The Remnants" emerges without premeditation. The canvas, significantly larger than previous years, reflects a period marked by intense activity and exploration. Every layer of paint—sometimes clashing, sometimes harmonizing—represents the remnants of masterpieces past. It’s a vivid tapestry of excess transformed into something entirely its own.

“There’s no pattern, no concept. It’s just a space where nothing goes to waste,”

"There's no pattern, no concept. It's just a space where nothing goes to waste," the artist shared in a recent post. Yet, the work carries an undeniable weight. It’s not just about reusing materials; it’s a visual diary of a year filled with creativity, chaos, and change.

The Remnants invites diverse reactions. Some viewers may find it exhilarating in its unpredictability, while others might see only disorder. But the artist is unfazed by criticism or praise. “Like life, it simply is what it is,” they remarked.

Angel Gonzales poses a selfie for her first art entry for 2025

For Angel Gonzales, this piece is more than a painting—it’s an unfiltered expression of the past year's twists and turns. As she step into 2025 with their first art entry of the year,

The Remnants stands as a bold start, offering a vivid glimpse into the world of an artist who finds meaning in the messy, the unplanned, and the unapologetically raw.