Art Whino Blog

AW: Tell us a bit about yourself; what are you into, what do you like

to do outside of the studio?

AR: I get most of my influence from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. Being Puerto Rican, culture, traditions and history are a very important part of who I am and how I channel my work. Choosing wood as the main element helps create the feeling of life. Its versatility, the natural colors, the grains, the individuality of each piece not ever being the same, it ages, it warps ... etc. There's comfort in it because it's natural. 

AR: Yes, I work with elders and children in most of my work because without the knowledge of our past, our future will be misguided. The elders being the keepers of our past, our history and traditions, and full of experience. The children being the innocent vessels to be filled with values and culture but also having the silent burden of early responsibility, and carrying on traditions. Choosing images and objects come natural, it's not planned. I believe it's a spiritual moment as well. I go through all my images and pull the ones that call out to me. As the drawing develops, artifacts callout to me. Some combinations are intentional, and some are given spiritually.

AW: Tell us a bit about yourself; what are you into, what do you like to do outside of the studio?

RS: I'm simple. I take pleasure in what to me are the important things, time with family,friends and a daily trip to the beach. If I'm not painting, I'm involved with one of those.

AW: What do you like most about your work, and what you do as an artist?

RS: What I like most about my work is It's honesty. I guess what I like the most about what I do as an artist is that I'm proud of all the work I do but I don't take pride in myself for doing it.

AW: What are the first words that come to mind when you are asked to describe your body of work? Why?

RS: In the past few years when asked what I paint I just say, 'I paint women".

AW: What is it about your painting technique that you enjoy; what inspired you to take that route creatively; what is the process involved?

RS: I enjoy the entire process from building panels to scratching or sanding up the painting I laid down, but honestly the scratching the work is the most fun. I enjoy that part of the process because the painting is calming and if I don't like, I can   paint over it. Once I gouge into it, there's no turning back.

AW: What other genres of art are you find yourself attracted to outside of your own style of work?

RS: All styles. There's beauty everywhere.

 AW: Do you draw inspiration from any other artists, past or present?

RS: Sure, so many. From comic book artist, past and present illustrators, graffiti writers, sculptors, the list is endless and growing daily. The list is long but I'll give you a few of my favorites past and present. William Bougereau, J. Scott Campbell, Phil Hale, John Singer Sargent. The painting that blew my mind when I was 12 yrs old, 'Monitor' by Franz Kline! So simple and complex all at once.

AW: About your portraits, how do you choose your figures; how do their characters develop; are they based on people you know?

RS: Many times they are made up faces, some from my mind and some from takinga few faces and creating new face in photoshop. When I choose a "real" person to paint I try to find someone that has some personal strength that I admire. I throw a little bit of my wifes face in every portrait.

AW: What is the greatest challenge about choosing to represent the figure in fine art?

RS: I haven't really found any. I was told by galleries that "people dont sell", I saw this as a challenge.

AW: What was your goal with the conception and development of Beautiful Failures?

RS: The goal was to show work that isn't necessarily my best. Instead of just digging through a stack of failed paintings I decided to take 25 days to do 25 paintings   do the best I could on that day and show them no matter the outcome. Most of the time I set up a timer and when the timer went off I was finished.

AW: What is something you hope resonates with every viewer who comes out to see your upcoming exhibition?

RS: I just hope people like it for what it is, a showing of 25 simple paintings.

AW: What has been your greatest achievement so far as an independent artist?

RS: Five years without a day job.

AW: As artists, we all experience the evolution of our work; what do you see yourself doing next?

RS: I'm not sure, I see small changes in every painting. I'll let my work go wherever it goes.

AW: Any shout-outs, words of advice, or general nonsense you'd care to share with our readers?

RS: My words of advice,  just enjoy yourself. Whatever you do.