Rafael López's Blog, page 9
February 18, 2017
GRATEFUL on this rainy day to discover that Maybe Someth...
GRATEFUL on this rainy day to discover that Maybe Something Beautiful, How Art Transformed a Neighborhood has won the 2017 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award. Thank you to my incredible colleagues, authors F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell for artfully telling the story of the Urban Art Trail community murals we began back in 1997. A really big shout out to the children, families, artists and volunteers I’ve had the honor to work with making murals around the country.
Designing and Planning a community mural in San Diego
Community Mural Painting in San Diego
Tomás Rivera, Dean of Mexican American Literature.
I am a huge fan of Tomás Rivera. Rivera’s writings, in English and Spanish shed light on the valor of Mexican American migrant farm workers, especially children who faced hardships with a resilient human spirit. In these challenging times, his work continues to inform and tell their stories, bringing hope to generations of migrants.
Playing with Process
I started by painting the focal point of Mother Earth and child with acrylic on wood
Pencil drawing of diverse children and the finished art that combines both traditional and digital techniques.
Experimenting with media, textures and process to create a painting for a program at a children’s hospital.
February 4, 2017
BRAVO! Poems About Amazing Hispanics
BRAVO! Poems About Amazing Hispanics, is my second collaboration with innovative, gifted writer, poet and friend Margarita Engle. This book celebrates the accomplishments, contributions and collective history of the Hispanic community. After the recent blitz of negative tweets and taunts, I’m thrilled to showcase these poems and amazing stories of Latinos who made an impact and difference with their remarkable lives.
Spot illustrations for Louis Agassiz Fuertes take flight
Cornell University has a large collection of bird illustrations by Fuertes. He learned to paint quickly while birds flew overhead and displayed a bold style of painting that gave each bird a unique personality. Painting live birds during expeditions this brilliant artist captured the exploding energy and soaring spirit of birds in flight.
Louis Agassiz Fuertes in his New York studio. He became our nation’s most notable ornithological painter since Audubon.
Drawing of botanist Ynés Mexía, who discovered fascinating plants new to science on botanical collecting trips throughout Brazil, Mexico, Peru and the U.S.
Background painting of plants for Ynés Mexía
Spot illustration of poet and civil rights activist, Julia de Burgos crossing her river of dreams
An advocate for Puerto Rican independence she crafted lyrical poems that spoke of the social struggle of oppressed peoples and the land. A civil rights activist for women and African/Afro-Caribbean writers she received honors and recognition from renowned poets like Pablo Neruda.
Poet Julia de Burgos
The first stage of painting George Meléndez Wright, first chief of the Wildlife Division for America’s national parks.
Spot illustration for Wright. He convinced Congress to stop letting rangers kill mountain lions and other predators.
Juan De Miralles who fought with George Washington for independence from the British. His determination and courage saved American soldiers who were dying of scurvy.
Spot illustration of Aída de Acosta the world’s first woman pilot. In 1903, while in Paris she first saw dirigibles and after just three flight lessons took to the sky herself. Women can do anything they put their mind and heart to-just look at the Women’s March around the globe.
I searched many months with pencil and brushes to visualize the inner spark of these Latino heroes and evoke in pictures the power of Margarita’s poems. After pursuing multiple directions as shown above, I toned down the naturalism fusing reality with a flat graphic approach. I was driven to produce fresh portraits that communicated the daring and essence of their ideas and spirit.
Finished portrait of César Chávez. Giving tribute to the American labor leader and civil rights activist by showing him at home in the fields as a champion of social justice.
Endpapers illustration for Bravo!
I settled on the graphic style in an attempt to spark the interest and connect these inspirational heroes to young readers. Hoping that readers of all ages and backgrounds will tune into these brave, unique thinkers who dared to think differently and never gave up. Bravo! Poems About Amazing Hispanics is due out on March 14, 2017 from Henry Holt and Company. Published in both English and Spanish we can’t wait to tell these stories to new generations.
!BRAVO! Poems about Amazing Hispanics written by Margarita Engle
January 27, 2017
2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Drum Dream Girl
Long ago in Cuba, young Millo dreamed of becoming a drummer. But women on the island were not allowed to play drums so she had to keep drumming and dreaming alone. It’s a girl power story about perseverance and breaking barriers.
It was so exciting to see my illustrations for this story and Margarita Engle’s stirring text come to life through the amazing animation talents of Ryan Swenar and Dreamscape. This week we found out that Millo did it again and brought home the 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music. Carnegie Medal Notable Children’s Videos Committee Chair Joanna K. Fabicon said, “Thoughtful animation enlivens illustrator Rafael López’s lush, colorful landscape, creating a joyful celebration of art, music, and self-determination”. “The pulsing rhythm of this vibrant film will inspire all viewers to pursue the passion of their heart and dance to the beat of their own drum.”
December 31, 2016
Music that will live forever
Remembering 3 Great Ones who left us too soon in 2016. Their music will live forever.
December 26, 2016
Hope and the Playground of Possibility
How do we empower neighborhoods to come together and solve the challenges they face? Thanks to Mel Schuit for the opportunity to talk about the power of art to transform communities. Please check out the entire article at ALL THE WONDERS OF, BOOKS here. As the year winds down, I’m grateful to tell the story of this community work in MAYBE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL and the chance to paint murals with incredible children and families.
Here’s to hope and the Playground of Possibility.
December 24, 2016
Feliz Navidad. Peace to our Planet.
From my studio to your casa. Wishing you Happy Holidays and Peace for our beautiful planet.
December 23, 2016
Wonder as you Wander
Exploring hidden beaches of Northern California
As the year winds down I’ve been thinking about wandering. Last month our family drove up the Northern California coastline discovering secluded beaches, taking in the remarkable power of nature. When my son Santiago found this stretch of sand, he threw off his shoes and socks, crossed an inlet of thigh deep water and started running. I eventually caught up with him when he slowed down, took a deep breath and there was this moment. With his help I connect again to that part of myself and others that really never changes, but sees the world with the wonder of a child.
This December I’m waking up before the sun rises, walking the quiet cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende for hours just looking. There is a restlessness that always comes with trying to find direction for a new children’s book. I’m working on two books this Winter so I find my mind jumps from one idea to the next. Still I’ve come to embrace this time, tune my instincts and simply wonder as I wander. I’ve discovered creativity takes discipline as well as listening to those subtle nuances of your own inner voice. In the chaos of modern life you realize the importance of practicing solitude.
A solitary dream. I woke up and painted this Arctic Whale.
December 22, 2016
New year/ New website at rafaellopez.com
A brand new year is almost here and I’m looking forward to making a fresh start with a brand new website. It’s an opportunity to share my latest works including illustrations, books and murals.
You can visit me on the web at rafaellopez.com
November 29, 2016
School Library Journal talks about people getting along with other people.
Thanks to Robin Smith for this article from the Horn Book about Maybe Something Beautiful at School Library Journal.
