Meet Tony Paramo | Photorealism Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tony Paramo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tony, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

I enjoy painting landscapes, probably because I love nature. For my landscapes to be original, I traveled all over Colorado and shot a lot of photography. I created an image library for me to choose from when I felt like painting to sell at art fairs and shows.  But after a few years, had a hard time choosing what to paint.

Then it occurred to me, “Hey, why don’t I just paint other people’s landscapes.”

I forgot there are tons of people out there who aren’t professional photographers yet taken amazing shots or own a photo they would love painted on canvas. No longer would I have a hard time choosing. The client simply tells me what to paint.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

As a photorealism artist, I enjoy taking any image (landscapes, cars, pets, people, structures, etc.) and draw or paint it on paper, canvas or on a wall as a mural. I can paint it similar or customize it to client needs.  I can paint landscapes fairly quickly.  Portraits can take much longer because they need to be more accurate to ensure the client is pleased with the work.

At one point, I panicked a little. For some reason, my portraits were not coming out very accurate. I thought I was losing it and was a bit worried. Turns out, I was in the mid 40’s and my time to start using reading glasses had arrived, problem solved.

Art is not physically strenuous but there’s a lot of concentration, can be tiresome, years of learning, stressful if deadline approaching. But it can be relaxing and rewarding.

Sometimes this type of present can be overwhelming. Once, a coworker asked to draw a portrait of her husband’s old motorcycle.  He loved that bike so much, went as far as handcuffing himself to it when he was too drunk to drive one party night. Unfortunately at some point, he wrecked and lost a leg. When his wife handed him a portrait of his old bike, he couldn’t control the tears. That touched my heart and that fuel keeps me going when it happens now and then.

I’m looking forward to future art projects and creating YouTube videos to teach painting exercises, secrets and tips I’ve learned over the years.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

If a friend was visiting for a week in Denver, a two-day camping trip or snowboarding during winter would be ideal. On the way back from the mountains, I would seek a restaurant serving buffalo burgers, hot oven pizza or chicken wings. They’d enjoy the highest continuous paved road at Trail Ridge Road Estes Park with its beautiful scenery and wildlife.

I would take them to Colorado Springs Pikes Peak, and for lunch, In-n-out burger. On the way back, stop at the Outlets at Castle Rock for a little shopping. If they’re into music, take them to Red Rocks amphitheater and souvenir shop. A sporting event to see a Bronco or Rockies game.  A visit to the Denver Aquarium, Lakeside amusement park, Buffalo Bills grave and souvenir shop. For lunch if open, Casa Bonita. For dinner, The Chop House and gotta catch a movie somewhere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My shoutout is to the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

I began watching PBS as a young boy in the early 70s during summer vacation.  I don’t recall who the instructor was but he taught me how to draw.

My senior year of high school 1985, I began watching the German artist William Alexander on PBS.  He was a skillful painter who could complete paintings with just one brush.  This taught me to learn as much as you can about a tool before moving on to the next one. Later, began watching and learning from the famous artist Bob Ross.

Art was just a hobby in the 1980s and after high school, enlisted in the USAF.  While in the military during time off, I practiced landscape painting by recording Ross and Alexander PBS shows.  The skills I learned in the military lead to a career in the Information Technology field repairing computers and as a network technician.  But I still painted on the side and told myself to continue practicing art to have something to do in my later years.  Now in my mid 50s (my later years), am more art experienced and beginning to pick up the art pace.

As a visual artist, I’ve sold my work in galleries, art fairs & painted a variety of custom works for many clients over the years.

My art interest began by watching a class on TV.

Thank you PBS for having great shows and teachers.  I still enjoy watching many of your documentaries.

Website: https://artistparamo.art

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtistParamo

Image Credits
Anna Duarte Richard Garcia Tony Paramo