Hey there folks!
Just hope you're having an AWESOME 2012 so far!
(I am!)
Well, after a real journey of self-discovery in a brief living at Buenos Aires, Argentina, I believe that this year is now FINALLY beginning for me. As I should've guessed before, my place is still where my heart is... and for now, it's in the southern Brazil. But the experience was EPIC, and I couldn't have made such amazing personal and artistic breakthoughs, if I didn't had tried my luck there.
And what I did found out was simple, but a bit harsh to truly understand by other means - I just need to keep pushing torwards the things that REALLY moves me in my way to become what I want to be. I don't need to do anything else, but to chase my dreams, even if they are insane. And from this "ground zero", I've started planning my year.
Two major resolutions snaped on my mind, after all this.
My illustration path will become more "digestible", at some instances.
My fine arts path... well, I guess it will become the ultimate self indulgence tool. And I can't explain this - you'll have to take your conclusions when I start spreading them to the world. Little by little, quietly, with no rush. Until it blooms.
I don't have many art news, as the past few weeks/months were basically about developing my ideas for the year to come. But I DO have some stuff... and here we are!
This is one of my last experiments from 2011 - an acrylic painting that I digitally composed with some painted textures that I've created for it. The "crown" and graphics are purely digital, though, as some little tweaks. The great game here is to balance all the elements... no place for any formula, every single image done this way will have it's own equation. Many thanks to my dear Serbian friend and multi talented artist Dragan for some final feedback words, that helped me a lot!
I call this an "experiment" and not an "illustration", just because I don't really know what it is or where does it fit. I wish I could call this a digital fine art, but it wouldn't be truly honest to it.
"Shattering the Inner Geometries", acrylics and digital
And here, some of my first inks studies, that I've started playing with recently. This glorious media will play a huge part on my artsy stuff from now on... but I prefer not to talk about it now - not enough repertoire, yet. Just give me some time! (just bought tons of nibs and inks to experiment)
Bellow, the latest cover for Mundo Estranho (January 2012 issue), a Brazillian magazine about curiosities on science and every single subject imaginable (often CRAZY, and always fun!). The theme for the issue was "Powers of the Mind" (the relation of psychic powers and science), and the art director asked me for the Las Vegas-esque magicians - hence the classic twisted spoon stuff.
OH and I guess I've never posted about the other cover I did for them some months ago, right? It's already an oldie. The theme was "Exorcism"... well, no need for words. GAH!!!
I TRULY believe that this year is holding us plenty of surprises, and great things to happen. And there are no tricks, no shortcuts to reach our personal goals - we just HAVE to make our greatest expectations become real, by ourselves. It's in our hands, hearts and minds to achieve everything - and I mean everything - we dream of.
Until very soon - as I NEED to finish some illustrations this February, I think that the next post will not take long! And consider this a commitment, even if just to myself.
Abraços, see ya soon!
Ps.: Check out this AMAZING Serbian artist (oh Serbia, how many wonders and tricks you have there - right Petar?), Vanja Todoric. What a nice fella!









sometimes it's scary to follow the dreams we really want, we create these weird fears for ourselves but all we can do is keep on going.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work, Rafa! I can't wait to see more of what you show in the future.
- Jael
Oh JAEL, how amazing to hear from you!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right. I had to face a completelly challenging situation to realize that I was at the right path... getting out of the comfort zone completelly changed my perspective, and that was the "snap" that woke me up to my own destiny.
Thanks for your words, let's always keep in touch! ;^)
Someone's been busy! Amazing work Raf. I bought myself a new moleskine today, so I'm glad to have seen all this new inspiring stuff. Keep it up sir!
ReplyDeleteYou ROCK my friend!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm just trying to be busy... but I think that from february on, I'll REALLY be!
I got a new moleskine too (a watercolor one), and my quick visit to your new website definetly boosted me with inspiration to fill that damn book!! Haha
All the best ser, until soon!
Your work is incredibly beautiful mate. Im Inspired and excited as to what you will produce next :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for opening a door to the imagination and possibilities within.
You are one of the current amazing artists that I take my hat off...
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know why I said this... it's obviously that you know it! : ))) Love the values and Black and White of moleskine pages studies.. You rock man o//
http://tiny.cc/gwd3v
Hi Raf
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your work, i can see you have some qualities in goals of like that i share also. What was the thing that took you out of your comfort zone, did you try to do new media or new approach in your art? something else?
Best
Jarkko
"I don't need to do anything else, but to chase my dreams, even if they are insane."
ReplyDeleteApoio isso 100% :)
Falei com o Rauber esses dias, quando tu disse que ia ir nos encontros de terças feiras... achei que tu ainda tivesse na Argentina. Pena que não deu certo, mas tudo acontece pra gente se dar conta de algo mesmo, como tu já falou. A chave é não desanimar.
Não tinha visto essa capa do Exorcista, ficou muito fodaaa :D
Abraço!