José Ramon Toñarely, affectionately called Tito by his friends and family, was born in La Habana, Cuba in 1946. By 1960, José and his family had moved to Mexico City where he resided for some time. During his years in Mexico, José was deeply moved by the vibrancy and diversity of the surrounding culture. Developing a great appreciation for the works of painter Rufino Tamayo, architect Luis Barragán, as well as the Pre-Columbian architecture and sculpture of the Aztec and Maya peoples, José discovered an inner creativity that he has maintained ever since.

 

In 1962, José and family moved to Los Ángeles, California where his passion for the visual arts bloomed. He attended California State University, took coursework in drawing, painting, and three-dimensional design, and began to work with varied media including paper collage and acrylics.

 

By 1974, he had moved to Miami, Florida, where he continues to live with his wife Lourdes and wonderful family. In addition to paintings, he became a cabinet maker and sculptor. Here, José continued to develop his skill while studying under master painter Baruj Salinas and master sculptor Enrique Gay García. José's work is inspired by the spirit and palette of the great Latin-American cities he has explored and called home, from Old Havana to Ocean Drive -- through his work, he invites you to explore and immerse yourself in this colorful shared culture.