Symbolism in my watercolors — Toti Cuesta
In my watercolors, every element carries a meaning. Symbol is the language I use to convey something that goes beyond the visible.
Symbol — a universal language
Art goes far beyond words. It uses a universal language that everyone can understand. It expresses itself through symbols and metaphors that reach directly into the unconscious and can transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.
The symbol represents the connection with the unmanifested, the metaphorical way of telling a story and presenting a world different from the one we see with our eyes, where several planes of reality blend together. Through it, art expresses the secret meaning of things.
You can explore this topic further in the blog post: The Symbol as a Universal Language
Nature as symbol
The natural world is full of universal symbols that live in the collective unconscious. The elements of nature are archetypes representing life, rootedness in the earth, and growth, offering a vision of how human beings relate to the natural world and to themselves.
In my watercolors, nature is much more than decoration or background. Every tree, every root, every branch is part of the visual language with which I create the meaning of each work.
About me
I am Toti Cuesta, a watercolor and portrait artist based in Madrid. Throughout my career, I have developed my own visual language, in which symbol, color, and form serve as instruments to convey something beyond the visible.
My work has been recognized by international galleries and art organizations, which have particularly highlighted the fusion of hyperrealism and oneiric surrealism as one of its most distinctive characteristics.
If you are interested in acquiring an original watercolor or commissioning a personalized portrait, you can contact me directly.
The feminine figure
The feminine figure is the center of my work. She appears in almost all my series and carries a different meaning in each: life, motherhood, creativity, resilience, peace, and love. She also represents Mother Earth, who nourishes and sustains us.
When I paint a feminine figure, I am not painting a specific woman. I am representing an energy: that force which gives life, which cares, which sustains the entire environment. An energy that does not belong only to women but that inhabits every human being and every form of life.
Through her, I transmit love for everything that surrounds us: nature, the urban landscape, and animals. Everything requires our care in order to create a more loving and just world. The feminine figure in my watercolors symbolizes that awareness.
You can see this energy in my original watercolor portraits and in the Inspiring Women series.
The eye that watches us
The eye is the symbol of consciousness, the window through which we perceive the world, and the portal to the deepest truth.
The gaze that sees everything
The eye appears in my watercolors as a symbol of inner vision and consciousness. It is my way of connecting directly with you. It represents the capacity to understand beyond the visible, to see what lies behind appearances. In many cultures and traditions, the eye is the symbol of divinity, of that superior intelligence that observes and knows everything.
In my compositions, the eye usually appears integrated into the feminine figure, as if the gaze were the center of the entire image. Because it is: it is from the gaze that everything makes sense.
The eye and the city of Madrid
In this watercolor, the green eye that watches us intently carries upon itself the sculptures of the Monument to Alfonso XII in the Retiro Park. The history of Madrid, its architecture, and its historical memory form part of the figure’s identity. The city is more than a setting; it is the extension of the person.
It is an image about the relationship between the human being and the place they inhabit. It shows us how the city shapes and defines us, just as our roots and personal history do.
The woman tree
The tree is the most present symbol in my work. It represents the totality of the manifested: the connection between heaven and earth, the spiritual and the earthly.
The tree — a metaphor for life
The tree is a metaphor for growth and transformation. Just as a tree grows over time, we, as human beings, undergo processes of change that shape our identity. Its roots speak of origin and memory, of that which sustains us even when it is not always visible.
The branches symbolize expansion and development. They grow towards the light, multiply, and seek new directions. In my compositions, they often act as a natural extension of thought, imagination, or the process of inner growth.
Strength and resilience
The woman tree is one of the most powerful archetypes in my work. Both the woman and the tree are pillars of strength, stability, and nourishment. Their union symbolizes life, resilience, and renewal: just as a tree goes through cycles of growth and rebirth, the feminine figure is connected to the cycles of life and transformation.
The connection between the woman and the tree also invites reflection on the relationship between human beings and their environment, and on the need to care for the natural world. We are not beings separate from nature. We are part of it.
Architecture as symbol
In my watercolors, the classical architecture of Madrid appears integrated into the feminine figure as if it had always been part of her.
Buildings represent stability, permanence, and resistance through time. They keep us connected to the physical world, and they shelter and protect us.
The integration of the figure into the building’s façade represents the indissoluble union between the human and the built, the connection between people and what they have created. The city we inhabit is part of our identity, just as our roots or our personal history define us.
Discover how Madrid inspires my work on the page, Toti Cuesta, watercolor artist in Madrid.
Color as language
Colors transmit light through their vibration. Through them, I offer a world of joy and strength.
Warm and cool colors
The blend of warm and cool colors allows me to connect heaven and earth. The warm ones — reds, oranges, and yellows — evoke sensations of heat and energy and are associated with sunlight and fire. The cool colors — blues, greens, and purples — evoke a sense of freshness and calm, recalling water, sky, and vegetation.
Each color communicates something different. Red can symbolize passion and love, as well as strength and determination. Blue brings tranquility and serenity. Green, the color of nature, speaks of growth and renewal.
Color on the spiritual plane
On the spiritual plane, colors symbolize aspects of human experience and inner growth. White represents purity, luminosity, and the beginning of a journey. Violet represents spirituality and deep contemplation.
In my watercolors, color is part of the message. Every tone that appears in a work carries an intention, a vibration, something I want to reach the unconscious of whoever is looking at it before their mind can process it.
Recognitions and exhibitions
My visionary and symbolic art has been selected and recognized by international galleries and art organizations that have particularly highlighted the use of symbolism, the fusion of the human figure and nature, and the capacity of my watercolors to convey something beyond the visible.
I have exhibited at the MEAM in Barcelona, at Artio Gallery, and in spaces dedicated to contemporary art in different countries.
You can find a selection of exhibitions, publications, and awards related to my work in the recognitions section.
Explore my work
Discover the series Woman, Tree, and Nature and consciousness, explore my visionary watercolor art, or read the international art criticism about my work.