About Hector Vega

Hector's Personal Reflection

"My mind was always on art as a little kid. I was always drawing or making things out of found objects. It was tough for me to read a lot of books because I have dyslexia."

- Hector Vega

Hector Vega is considered one of Cleveland, Ohio's most creative and popular artists. His daring use of bold colors and geometric patterns pays homage to his roots in the colorful and picturesque Gurabo, Puerto Rico located some 23 miles Southeast of San Juan.

Hector's Humble Beginnings in Puerto Rico

Hector was born in March 1963 and spent the first eight years of his life in Gurabo where his family struggled to make ends meet with a mother who eventually was left to raise Hector and his 3 siblings on her own. Salvation for Hector and his family came in the form of a job offer, extended through Hector's Aunt who had moved to Cleveland, Ohio and was currently working as a seamstress.

From Gurabo to Cleveland, OH

And so, at the age of eight Hector and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. Upon their arrival in the United States, Hector's mother worked two jobs -- one as a seamstress and one cleaning offices to make ends meet. At the same time, Hector began attending Cleveland Public Schools. At a minimum, let us say that Hector did not have much success at school. Without being able to speak English and without the formal education shared by other children of his age group, Hector struggled to keep pace in his studies. These struggles were compounded by what was later diagnosed as dyslexia making it even more difficult for Hector to achieve academically.

High School and the Spark of a Career

By the time Hector reached Lincoln West High School it was obvious to the school's guidance counselors that excelling in a classic education setting was going to be difficult for Hector to achieve. The one bright spot in Hector's academic career, however, was his performance in art class. Even at this early age, Hector excelled. So much so, that unbeknownst to Hector, his art teacher submitted one of Hector's works to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The Scholastic Art and Writing awards is a nationally recognized contest based in New York City. There, renowned creative professionals review works from across the country and Jurors select work for national recognition based on three criteria: originality, skill, and emergence of a personal vision or voice. Hector's work was awarded a Gold Key, the highest award for that year. After receiving this award, it became clear to Hector that a career in art was his destiny. And, luckily for us he followed that dream. Hector graduated from Lincoln West High School in the Spring of 1982.

Hector's Working Career Begins

Hector's working career began at an early age. At age 15, Hector tried to help his family out by working at a local grocery store. Hector was not an employee mind you, he simply showed up at the door and helped load groceries into cars for tips. The owner of the grocery would chase him away, only to have Hector show up the next day looking to help others and his family. At one point, one of the customers saw the owner shooing Hector away and suggested that he simply hire Hector to work in the store. After all, Hector had clearly demonstrated an outstanding work ethic. And so, Hector began to work in the store's produce department after school.

Hector Explores His Artistic Talent

During that time Hector also briefly held a paper route and then had the good fortune to land a job with the City of Cleveland's Department of Parks and Recreation in the printing department. It was there that Hector got his first practical experience in image design and print production. From there, Hector spent some time in the City's Building Department working with architectural prints and specifications where he again learned valuable lessons in construction and construction design that would serve him well, later in his professional art career. And finally, Hector ended up in the City of Cleveland's Cudell Fine Arts Center teaching children and seniors to draw and paint. While there, Hector though mostly self-taught, decided to pursue his associate degree from the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design. While there, Hector found it difficult to balance the cost of his art degree with his studies and at one point notified the school that he would be withdrawing. The owner and namesake of the college, Virginia Marti, called Hector into her office and said, "You are my best art student, I can't let you not finish." And Ms. Marti personally took care of the cost of the remainder of Hector's associate degree.

Though it seems clear that Hector has been helped by the kindness of others more than once in his budding career, I believe it is safe to say that it was because they saw and understood the greatness of Hector's artistic vision.

Hector's Professional Career Begins

Upon graduating Virginia Marti College of Art and Design, Hector's professional art career began… though technically, it began at a much younger age. Hector recalls a time when their family had first moved to Cleveland. Money was tight and the accommodation at times left much to be desired. The apartment where they lived was less than well maintained and at one point, Hector's mother purchased paints and a canvas large enough to cover a big hole in the wall of their apartment. The story goes that Hector painted a palm tree and water that covered that hole for many years. Later when the Vega's decided to move out, the landlord purchased the painting from Hector for the sum of $25 rather than fix the hole. Officially, this was Hector's first sale.

About Hector's Work

Hector's preferred medium is acrylic on canvas, though most works are built as concepts on paper with pencil and marker. He lists his greatest personal influence as Pablo Picasso, but he also greatly admires the works of Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg. Hector also says that the stained glass works of the many churches in Puerto Rico and in the Cleveland, area have influenced his artistic aesthetic.

Hector's own work is his interpretation of what he sees and that is why his work so often reflects the people and places of Cleveland, Ohio. It also explains why his work is intensely popular in the local community.

Hector has won many awards from local shows and juried events, and he has achieved notoriety and acclaim at the national and international level as well.

Hector currently lives on Cleveland's Westside with his girlfriend of 7 years, his dog and 2 cats. Hector does not have any children.

Hector has produced many notable works including cityscape collages for cities like Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, Ohio City, and local sports and public celebrities. But none are more recognizable than the guitar designs Hector created for the City of Cleveland. Hector was part of the original Guitarmania Committee and Hector is currently putting together lists of landmarks and elements to assemble updated versions of new guitars.

For artist Hector Vega, the use of bold colors and geometric shapes that artist Hector Vega uses to craft his abstracts is by no means an accident. For him, many of the stylized elements, that make his work so instantly recognizable, have a much deeper meaning.

During the past 20 years, Vega's artwork has progressively matured into visually stimulating pieces that embody life and energy through the balance of strong design, color and depth. His art can be found in numerous private, corporate and educational institution collections across the United States.

A firm believer in volunteerism, community involvement, and the advancement of the arts, Vega is known for his artistic contributions to numerous local and national charitable, civic, and non-profit organizations. He has won numerous awards, both in the U.S. and abroad.