We recently had the chance to connect with Hugo Orezzoli and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Hugo, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Painting. When I paint, everything else fades away. It reminds me of who I truly am and what I’m meant to do. I have a family, a job, and responsibilities, but painting is different. It’s like looking into a mirror and seeing my most authentic self. My art reflects my inner world more honestly than words ever could. During a painting session, I lose all sense of time; I become fully present, completely absorbed.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Hugo Orezzoli. For over 30 years, I worked in the creative field of advertising—developing ideas for television commercials, billboards, print campaigns, and more. It has been a deeply fulfilling career, and even now, my mind continues to generate ideas with the same passion as ever. Creativity has always been a constant in my life, and I know it always will be.
Around 15 years ago, I began painting. What started as a casual hobby soon revealed itself as something far more meaningful. I discovered a new creative voice on the canvas—one that resonated with others in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Encouraged by friends and driven by a personal need to explore and express, painting transformed from pastime to purpose.
For me, painting is a form of storytelling. Each piece carries emotions and narratives that I feel compelled to release. These aren’t just images, they’re fragments of inner truth. To keep them inside would be to deny something essential. Painting is no longer optional; it’s a necessity—a way of sharing who I truly am.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My life. And more specifically, the first 19 years of it. My life was shaped by growing up in Lima, Peru. Without even realizing it, my brain absorbed countless moments and details day after day, like an unspoken record. I lived in a very central part of the city, where I experienced a diverse mix of people from various backgrounds, various conditions, and social statuses. Lima was my playground, and the corner of my neighborhood, which I considered my first love, became a special place. My friends and I would spend hours there, talking and staying alert, as if something unexpected might happen at any moment, all while observing all kinds of people passing by.
Today, all those lived experiences and emotions are pouring out of me, transforming into large canvases. I remember everything vividly, and I love how I can blend my imagination with those memories, breathing new life into the past.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There’s always a moment when I almost want to give up—usually right in the middle of a painting. The fear that creeps in before each session, the mistakes I make along the way, the hard work, the struggle to bring my vision to life, the anxiety—they all pile up, casting doubt on whether I should keep going. On top of that, I haven’t sold a single painting yet, which sometimes makes me question if this effort is even worth it. But that doubt fades the moment I finish a piece.
What I’m certain of is this: if I didn’t pour my ideas and emotions into painting, my life would feel empty and miserable. That truth is what keeps me moving forward. I could never let these paintings remain trapped inside me, like prisoners longing to be free.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
All artists have their own creative process. Some work on several pieces at once, while others step away from a painting for weeks—or even years—before returning to it. But for me, it’s different. Once I have several ideas floating around in my mind and decide which one to pursue, that idea becomes a project. I don’t try to simplify it, make it more manageable, or reduce its complexity. If anything, it often becomes more intricate as it evolves on the canvas.
That project becomes my world for as long as it takes to complete. Time doesn’t matter. I’ve never abandoned a painting once I’ve started it—I stay fully committed until it’s finished. It’s never just a painting to me; it’s a story I’m deeply passionate about sharing. And because it usually takes months to complete, each piece becomes a part of my life, a chapter of my own story.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I found out today that I only had ten years left to live, I would stop procrastinating immediately. Yes, immediately. Procrastination has been a lifelong enemy, quietly living inside me. It’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve fallen short of turning many of my ideas into reality. I know there are things that naturally take time, whether it’s the creative process or external circumstances—but more often than not, it’s procrastination that holds me back. It’s the biggest barrier between me and the projects I want to start, or the ones I’ve started but took me a longer time than they should have, to finish. What truly holds me back is that inner force that convinces me to wait, delay, or overthink. That force is procrastination, and it’s been my most persistent and damaging demon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hugocolor.com
- Instagram: @real.hugorezzoli
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugo.orezzoli
