CV/Bio
Juan (John) Flores was born in New York. When he was young his family moved to Venezuela where he discovered surfing and became one of the earliest surfers in the country. He studied architectural design and later urbanism at the then prestigious Universidad Simon Bolivar. He moved back to the U.S. to pursue a Master in City and Regional Planning degree, with emphasis on urban design, at the University of California, Berkeley. Afterward, he worked at the UC Berkeley Environmental Simulation Laboratory (ESL) where, with periscope cameras, on an industrial size computerized crane moving through scale models, predicted proposed projects impact of on the existing urban environment. While at the ESL Juan developed the “solar fan” concept a way to protect solar access to plazas and parks in Downtown San Francisco from the shadow of new high-rise buildings. The solar access guidelines, which earned American Planning Association State (APA) Award and national recognition, where incorporated into the San Francisco development regulations influencing San Francisco’s skyline.
In 1985 he moved to North San Diego County. He initially worked at the City of San Marcos where, as the project manager for the “Heart of the City” Specific Plan for the California State University site San Marcos received the APA - San Diego Chapter Award and Orchid Award. Soon after he moved into private practice as a land use consultant. He retired from his consulting company in 2005
"My art career started after I retired. I am self-taught, if you discard the many years of architectural and urban design work. Because I have always been attracted to art and design, my art formation is the result of learning from other artists, reading biographies, and viewing artists’ works in many museums across the country and abroad."
Art Exhibitions – Awards
2022 Featured in the New American Paintings magazine. Issue #157
April 2022 "Green Houses, Del Mar, CA” as the Best in Show for the “Inspirations” art show at La Playa Gallery in La Jolla, CA.
March 2022 Honorable Mention for “California Beach Summer” at the 2022 International San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Online Spring Exhibition
June 2021- August 2021 Carlsbad Cannon Art Gallery, Juried Biennial 2021. The River, a 60” x 60” painting, was selected to participate in the Biennial.
June 2020 Runner-up prize in the Artspan.com Isolation contest.
December 2019- May 2020 Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance Biennial Exhibition. Two paintings selected: Two Cardiffs Nocturne and Cardiff Dawn #2. Two Cardiffs Nocturne was selected for the cover of the museum’s 2020 winter program.
December 2019- February 2020 Selected by jurors to present 9 painting at the 2020 City of Carlsbad Cannon Gallery Invitational
August 2019 Growing Wild: Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance at San Diego Botanic Garden 2019 exhibition. Painting: Sun Vista Dog Park
July 2019 La Jolla Athenaeum 28th Annual Juried Exhibition 2019. The work Two Cardiffs Nocturne was selected.
July 2019 Runner-up prize in the Artspan.com Water contest.
January 22 – April 22 2018 Oceanside Museum of Art/University Club, Juried Exhibition: Perspectives and Patterns.
Nov. 2017- January 2018 Front Porch Gallery in Carlsbad CA. Juried exhibition. Painting: The Lady of the Lake
Oct. 2017 – January 2018 OMA Artist Alliance L Street Gallery, Downtown San Diego. Juried exhibition. Two paintings selected.
August- September 2017 Month-long solo exhibition at the Encinitas Library. Approximately 28 artworks exhibited.
December 2017 Carlsbad Cannon Art Gallery, Juried Biennial 2017. Painting: Amanecer en Paraguita.
April 2014 Carlsbad Dove Library exhibition 11 pieces shown.
2011 Exhibit at the Encinitas City Hall. Approx. 20 pieces exhibited.
April 2012 Cardiff Library Exhibit for a period of three months beginning April 3, 2012 and ending July 2, 2012. Seven pieces presented.
September 2010 Second Prize for an acrylic at the San Dieguito Art Guild.
June 2010 First prize acrylic at the San Dieguito Art Guild (SDAG).
July -August 2008 Month long solo exhibition at the Encinitas Library. Approximately 30 artworks exhibited.