Oscar Toloza born Reseda, California 1992, is a painter based in Indianapolis. Both of his parents immigrated from the small country of El Salvador to escape the civil war at the time. They met and had him and his sister then decided to move to the small town of Logansport IN when he was 5 years old.  Growing up Oscar always followed his passions with fire. His love of video games lead to his love of music, which led him to teaching himself how to play the guitar and piano. After high school Oscar attended the Art Institute of Indianapolis in 2012 for computer animation. He dropped out after 2 semesters because he didn’t want to be far from his family, which is where that job market would take him eventually, also it was expensive. Oscar pursued music, while working many jobs, for a couple years after, making electronic music and art at the same time. “He just had the fire in him.”

It wasn’t until 2019 that he decided to pursue visual art completely. The fact that an ‘art piece can grab you in an instant”, is what made him switch to art, not halfway or one foot in, but this time with his whole being. Since then Oscar has taught himself how to work with acrylics, oil, graphite, spray paint and now skin. 

Oscar’s work is always fluctuating, currently it explores themes of perseverance, animal instincts, and our relationship to nature. “The chase” the act of creating, coming up with an idea and executing with style is what it’s all about to him. His love of learning how reality works drives him to understand his subjects and regurgitate his own interpretations. Mixing surreal dreamlike settings with colors that grab you, are what he enjoys creating. He is inspired by animals and the silent connection we all have as beings sharing this earth. In an increasing technological society Oscar hopes to keep humanity grounded in our roots of nature. He also draws inspiration from a lot of eastern art. 

Oscar, keeping his love of music alive, has live painted at multiple music events most notably he was an official live painter at WAKAAN festival in Arkansas. He also has one mural in his hometown of Logansport Indiana. 

Oscar is still developing his artistic voice by learning and exploring the art of the pre-Hispanic era. He hopes to find a way to bring the past into the present to create a future where other people from similar backgrounds can feel like they have a place rather than feeling in between two worlds.