Diego Penuela - Colombia | Illustration | Colombia

Diego Penuela - Colombia

By LatAm ARTE

Diego Penuela is an award-winning illustrator, fine artist, and muralist from Bogotá, Colombia. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana before moving to the United States. Diego is currently based in Chicago and Atlanta, where he continues to develop his artistic career. His work is deeply informed by his Latin American identity, blending dreamy and whimsical themes to reflect on current events and his personal vision of the world. Diego is recognized for public art projects, including murals in Atlanta and Chicago, bringing vibrant color and cultural storytelling to urban spaces. His paintings have been featured in renowned galleries such as Nucleus Gallery, ABV Gallery, Vertical Gallery, WOWxWOW, and others. He engages in both solo and group exhibitions, contributing to the international art scene. Diego’s style often merges figuration and abstraction, with influences from color field painting, anime, street art, and hip hop. His artistry thrives between precision and painterliness, illustration and mystery. He has worked as a background artist and team manager in the animation industry, including for Emmy award-winning TV shows. Diego’s work has been honored by 3×3 Magazine, the Society of Illustrators LA, the Latin American Illustration awards, Red Dot Awards, and Addy Awards. His art communicates stories of identity, transformation, and community, earning accolades from publications and prestigious organizations