Paz Arés Osset, the Artist

Soleila

Soleila: A Canvas of Creative Learning and Freedom.
Amazing

Amazing

Amazing
  • Technique: Oil on canvas.
  • Size: 160x120 cm
  • Creation Place: Fine Arts School of Madrid
  • Current Location: Private Collection Madrid. Not for sale, but offers over 1,000,000 euros will be considered by individuals who truly value its principles.

Description

"Soleila", which is the real name of the central girl in the painting, is not just a painting, but a powerful statement of the educational ideals that the artist, also an Education official, has fervently defended throughout her career. Each brushstroke on this oil on canvas is an act of rebellion against the rigidity and inefficiency of a system that has failed to nurture creativity and teach self-determination. The central figure, Soleila, hangs from a tree in a gesture of absolute freedom, symbolizing what Paz Arés Osset seeks for all children: the ability to "fish", to be self-sufficient and free in their thinking and action.

Oil on canvas, it is a contemporary masterpiece that captures the luminous essence of childhood, freedom, and artistic education. The name "Solaila" blends "sun" and moon (Laila in Arabic), the ruling stars of day and night, suggesting the union of opposites and the complete experience of a full day in a child's life, from playful dawn to reflective dusk. The girl hangs from a sturdy tree, a living symbol of oxygen and nature, her head down, a bold representation of the freedom and uninhibited joy of youth.

More than just a simple representation of a girl enjoying nature, the painting is a testament to Paz Arés Osset's tireless dedication to transforming education. The girl, free and carefree, represents the promise of what education can be: a system that nourishes the soul, awakens the imagination, and fosters innovation.

Paz has waged a titanic struggle throughout her life to improve education, which inspired the painting. Furthermore, the arrival of Soleila's mother from Paris intertwines with Arés Osset's personal narrative and her encounter with Amma, known as "the hugging saint", in Navarra. This meeting is not merely anecdotal; it is a merger of paths that highlights the importance of kindness and compassion as cornerstones of education and human development. Paz strives to introduce these values among others such as creativity and art as cornerstones of a deficient educational system to transform it into an inspiring and brilliant educational system.

Over the years as an education official, Paz has faced criticism and mockery from those anchored to an obsolete system, which she has contributed to changing, and today, after decades of effort, it is no longer seen as so strange.

The work draws from the artist's vital environment, from her choral experiences at the Micael School in Las Rozas de Madrid, to the influence of Soleila's mother, who brought the free spirit of Paris to Spain. The act of climbing a tree, playing in the rain, singing and dancing becomes a metaphor for life and learning, a visual counterpoint to a rigid and restrictive school curriculum.

Micael, the school where Paz spent time and Soleila studied, is governed by the educational philosophy of the Waldorf school, where children are encouraged to explore and express themselves, the painting is a tribute to an education that values play, nature, and creativity.

The girl appears to be looking sideways, which symbolizes the ability to see the world from different points of view, a fundamental skill instilled by a Waldorf education that encourages children to think holistically and critically.

Therefore, the canvas reflects Paz's pedagogical vision to close the circle of Definitive Change in educational methodology to help human beings be creators, to know how to fish and not want to be given fish, to contribute over asking, to create in the end and not be victims of an education based exclusively on memory and criticism of others' creations.

Paz has historically sympathized with this movement as well as another aligned one, Montessori, two educational methodologies that value individuality and creativity over uniformity and memorization, educational lines that, as we say, are well aligned with Paz's purpose, so the artist has always had good relations with both movements that endow people with values much more important than memorization and repetition.

The work "Soleila" by Arés Osset is in itself a microcosm of this pedagogical approach: an environment where learning is organic, fluid, and adapted to the rhythm of each child.

"Soleila" is not just a name; it is a concept, a fusion of light and darkness, of learning and play, of seriousness and laughter. In Soleila's radiant face, we see the light of knowledge and the shadow of curiosity, both essential for the integral growth of a human being. Paz Arés Osset, through her brush, teaches us that true education is not about filling the mind, but illuminating it, it is about opening the door and letting the student cross it with the arsenal of creative values inherent in art and education that takes into account emotions and human values.

The painting also shows a nostalgic and playful view of childhood. The composition is dominated by the figure of the girl, suspended in a moment of pure joy, her laughter almost audible through the expression on her face and the carefree fall of her hair. The color palette is warm and earthy, evoking the golden tones of a sunny day in late summer or early fall.

The technique used to capture the texture of the tree bark and foliage is meticulous; the tree feels alive, almost vibrant. Light seems to filter through the leaves, creating a play of light and shadow that adds depth to the work and highlights the central figure.

The composition is dynamic; the diagonal formed by the tree branch and the relaxed position of the girl create a strong focal point. The use of light and shadow is notable, giving volume to the subject and the environment. The green tones in the background enhance an outdoor setting and the use of loose brushstrokes for the foliage provides a sense of movement, as if a breeze were present in the scene.

"Solaila" is a painting that can be perceived in full from any angle, we could place it on our wall upside down, upside down or sideways. Something that Paz pursues in many of her paintings. It is like childhood itself, which is lived without the need for a single direction or perspective. In this painting, the artist offers a window to a moment where learning is not limited to the four walls of a classroom, but extends to the vast blue sky and the whispering green of nature. The work thus becomes a powerful reminder of the importance of an education that embraces freedom, creativity, and respect for the environment.