Explore The Art

Pick up your FREE Art Map in the 9th & Thomas lobby for your own Living Room Art Walk

234 9th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Meet “The Hostess” by Ernesto Ybarra

Sophisticated.
Intelligent.
Undeniable allure.

These are the qualities Ernesto uses to define both The Hostess and the city of Seattle itself. In this large-scale work, the figure is not literal, but symbolic - a metaphor for a city rich in culture, diversity, and depth.

Spanning 36 x 111 feet, the piece commands attention, mirroring the energy of a city preparing to welcome the world. Rather than depicting landmarks, Ernesto captures something less tangible: presence, invitation, and magnetism.

The Hostess becomes Seattle — complex, confident, and impossible to overlook.

About The Artist

Ernesto is a contemporary painter whose work lives at the intersection of Instinct, Identity, and Human Connection.

Influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, and Diego Rivera, his approach blends raw intuition with disciplined intention — balancing spontaneity with structure.

Born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Ernesto developed a deep awareness of people, energy, and emotion — an ability that continues to shape his work.

Over time, his practice has evolved through exposure to cultures and perspectives from around the world. His paintings now reflect a dynamic interplay of influences — where heritage, pop culture, and city life converge.

Moving fluidly between portraiture and abstraction, Ernesto paints across identities — bringing visibility, beauty, and power to the people and stories that often go unseen.

Now based in Seattle, his work continues to evolve — expanding outward while reconnecting inward. Grounded in both cultural pride and global perspective.