HistoryIt is always a joy when we are surprised by art when we open doors or books.
My sources come from Art History. I got inspired on periods such as Rococo, Neoclassicism and Post-impressionism.
Being able to practice those three styles opened the doors to both art and editorial markets for me.
Rococo period was throughout Europe in the XVIII century. Its themes celebrated pleasure, sharing of mutual feelings and joy of human integration. Those searches are part of our lives and I bring them to most of my paintings as subject matters.
Neoclassicism came to France in late XVIII century and stood for the same republican efforts of French Revolution. The aesthetic was realistic. It aimed for clear objectives and emotions. Brush strokes were gradual and with contrasting palettes. Those are useful qualities for didactic books I illustrate for British, American and Brazilian markets nowadays.
From Post-impressionism, (beginning of XX century), I absorbed the flexibility of perspective from Toulouse-Lautrec, black lines from Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin and the deconstruction of depths by Paul Cézanne. These visual features are in my paintings and illustrations for children’s books.
If an image must have the power to captivate, tell a story or celebrate victories its got to seduce. Beauty attracts, stimulates and calls for curiosity. We want to know more, we search for knowledge and reach transcendence.
Thanks for stopping by.
PortfolioTake a look at my work.
About Me
I started my career at the age of 17 in 1989. That was 29 years ago. 6 years of those were dedicated to 2D animation and 23 to paintings and illustrations. In Animation I worked for 4 years in a studio in Rio de Janeiro named CCAA plus 2 years in another studio in Dublin (Ireland) named Terraglyph. I Also took part in the Disney’s production “Aladdin” as a freelancer animator. The TV series was produced in 1994 and gathered several countries including Brazil.
Today I live in Brasilia with my wife and son.
I make my living out of arts and illustrations.
Awards
- 2001 Winner of O Globo Brazilian newspaper painting contest - "The Mummy Returns". Award: a trip for two from Rio to London (Hotel Renascence Chancery Court), Cairo (Hotel Four Seasons) and Sharm el Sheik (Hotel Carlton Ritz) to visit the places were the movie was shot.
- 1989 Winner of “Jornal do Brasil” Brazilian newspaper painting contest -"Who Framed Roger Rabbit?". Award: A trip for two to Disneyworld Rio-Maiami-Orlando-Miami-Rio.
- 1989 Winner of Claybon butter painting competition - "Menininha Nhac". Award: a boogie.
- 1987 Second in Rogerio Steinberg painting competition - Award: windsurf.
- 2015 - Biennial of Illustration Bratislava - Slovakia
- 2013 - The Art Of Story - Boston Children`s Hospital - United States
- 2013 - Bologna Illustrators Exhibition - Italy
- 2013 - Itabashi Art Museum - Tokio - Japan
- 2013 - Otani Memorial Art Museum - Japan
- 2013 - Kawara Museum of Takahama City - Japan
- 2013 - IshiKawa Nanao Art Museum - Japan
- 2007 - Biennial of Illustration Bratislava - Slovakia
- 2005 - Biennial of Illustration Bratislava - Slovakia
- 2003 - Society of Children`s Book Writers and Illustrators - exhibited in Bologna – Italy
- 2017 - Soirée Toccata Latin night
- 2017 - 2017 - Traçando Histórias - Porto Alegre
- 2014 - Biennial of books Sao Paulo - AEILIJ
- 2013 - Morar Mais - Brasília
- 2013 - FLIPIRI – Pirenópolis
- 2012 - Tracing Histories - Porto Alegre
- 2008 - Tracing Histories - Porto Alegre
- 2004 - Tracing Histories - Porto Alegre
International exhibitions
Brazilian exhibitions
Illustrated books: 215
International publishers who hire me
USA: Barefoot books, Heinemann books, Point B agency, International Bible Society, etc
England: Usborn Books, Macmillan, Oxford University Press, Ladybird, etc
Portugal: Leya Publisher
Italy: ELI Readers
South Korea: Aga World and Bricks Publishing
Brazilian publishers
Moderna, Companhia das Letras, FTD, Objetiva, Nova Fronteira, Rocco, Editora do Brasil, Editora Elementar, etc
Our Awesome Clients
I’ve known Victor Tavares for more than 25 years and I have always admired his works. He has talent, discipline and determination as I have never seen in any other professional. One of the most remarkable moments was when Victor made a painting for the VIP room in which I would receive Arnold Schwarzenegger in Brazil. Arnold, delighted with Victor`s work of art, asked me to take the painting to Los Angeles. Today, this painting is in Arnold`s office in California!
I have always been amazed by Victor Tavares`s works which illustrated my books for both children and grown-ups. I find it impressive how each detail of his work grants soul to the illustrations, utterly including its moods and nature.
Victor brings a happy admixture of stunning creativity and tremendous work ethic to every project he graces. His attention to project detail and the nuances of the characters he brings to life via illustration made believers of our editorial board and avid readers of our intended audiences. Upbeat and never short on ideas, Victor was a pleasure to work with and I look forward to being able to bring him onto future projects
I fell in love with Victor’s work the moment I saw it. I was in New York City examining countless children's books in search of an artist who could bring to life the world I was envisioning. My search was over the moment I discovered Victor's work of Victor. His talent jumped off the page. The complex and textured illustrations he created featuring exuberant characters, inventive compositions and delightful pops of color were at once modern and timeless. The vibrant worlds he imagined rich with multilayered moods evoked both introspection and wild flights of joy. Elegant and playful, the meticulous children’s book Victor created for us is a mixture of wonder and whimsy, offering readers the chance to find what is lurking within each page. Victor’s tremendous talent is pale only when compared to his genuine enthusiasm and joyous spirit.
I wish to express my enormous satisfaction of having in a highlighted spot of my home a fantastic painting by this formidable artist. With rare sensibility, he captured and reproduced an extremely important period of my life in Peru. Thank you my friend Victor. I wish you continuous success.
-
Ana Paula Graziano Director Savaget / Arnold Classic Brasil
-
Eunice Khoury Journalist, radio broadcaster and president of Imprensa FM radio network - Brazil
-
Lisa Beth Anderson Editorial/Documentary Photographer + MA Candidate, Migration Studies at University of San Francisco - USA
-
Patricia Babuka President of Point B Agency and Producer of GrandCamp Adventures (USA)
-
Admiral Roberto Fiuza Brazilian Navy.