rafael lópez studio

Gracias!

2012-01-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

I was asked to make a short video for the American Library Association: Youth Media Awards expressing my reaction to the good news about The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred winning a Pura Belpré Honor. It's all about drawing and thanks for checking it out here.

2012-01-01T16:36:00.000-08:00

Full Circle

2011-12-31T09:24:00.001-08:00

explore the edges

know yourself
return full circle

Lucky Numbers

2011-12-30T17:32:00.001-08:00

I was born on 8/8. I've always been fascinated by the shapes of numbers and wandering the calles with my camera I documented and compiled these inventive eights.

Please click on the image to enlarge it.

The Texture of Winter

2011-12-20T08:04:00.001-08:00

It's Wintertime and last week my senses landed in San Miguel de Allende. Through the soles of my shoes I feel the textures of the cobblestone streets reminding me to take a deep breath and look. The silence of morning frost marks this period between the winter solstice and vernal equinox. A cold wind has started to blow in and cousins just called to say that snow is falling in the North of Mexico.

Here on the Mexican altiplano, the December sun sits low in the sky and the quality of winter light casts long shadows. In this window the colors of a papel picado converse with the umbra of memories as the year draws to a close.

The hard earth lures nature into a period of sleep during the cold of Winter. Tuning into this season I decided to let assignments on the table rest briefly and create some personal work. These experiments walk down the corridor of my thoughts as the year winds down.

7 Impossible Things

2011-12-05T20:31:00.001-08:00

My warmest thanks to the exceptional Jules Danielson for this Thanksgiving interview in her amazing blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. I'm a huge fan of this inventive blog that really celebrates book passion. Take a look at the interviews she crafts with writers and illustrators and I know you will get hooked.

Give the magical gift of Books

2011-12-05T20:20:00.001-08:00

I painted the portrait above of our son Santiago, to express the joy we felt when he truly embraced the magic of reading. Like many families we were all spellbound by J.K. Rowling's unforgettable alchemy of stories about Harry Potter.

Those 2 blue trees in the painting represent papa y mama. Their heart shapes mirror the book passion we now share with him.

Last year, I made the case that at this season of giving, the perfect book is waiting to be cherished by your own family and friends. Some of my favorite holiday memories are of my mother Pillo reading to me by the fire while eating the buñuelos she made drenched in brown sugar, cinnamon and guava syrup. In just 2 weeks we are headed south to spend Christmas at our home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. I can already smell the cooking. Ever notice how adding just the right spice can make all the difference?

What makes giving books even more fun is the idea of pairing them like a chef, with other special ingredients. Good cooks can blend good books with a little something special. We involve our son in this process and enjoy sitting around the table after dinner, doodling and discussing ideas for just the right combinations. I believe this family tradition of book pairing has helped our son become a passionate reader. It's fun and lets him know how much we value books. When you give a child a book you are also making a promise to spend time with them. What could be more memorable than cuddling by the fire with the right book at the holidays?

In this book pairing list I wanted to include treasures for kids and kids at heart-especially those who appreciate incredible pictures. As an illustrator, I can't resist the temptation to include books that I feel have soaring imagery coupled with compelling stories. I hope these suggestions help your own gift-giving take flight.

For me, the minimal realism of illustrator Charley Harper is pure visual and geometric poetry. This wise genius said "I don't try put everything in, I try to leave everything out".

Charley Harper, An Illustrated Life by Todd Oldham is a celebration of a master artist who connected with nature in such a profound way. I like to run the beach at Coronado and this time of year I find lots of sand dollars washed up on the shore. Simply tie his books up with a ribbon slipped artfully through the sand dollar holes and you have the perfect combination for the art or nature lover on your list.

For small children, choose Harper's wonderfully illustrated ABCs or 123's board book and combine it with a whimsical, inexpensive Kikkerland Bird Whistle or a butterfly hand puppet. The sophisticated colors and textures of this legendary illustrator reveal the magic of nature in all it's glory.

Here's a shout out to my good friends Monica Brown and John Parra for making such a uniquely crafted book as Waiting for the Biblioburro. This captivating story is about real life hero Maestro Luis Soriano. He brings books to kids in rural areas and remote villages in Columbia on the backs of his two donkeys Alfa and Beto. You can view a short film about him at CNN Heroes and this photo is by Ingrid Rojas.

I'm a huge fan of John Parra's folkloric illustrations that remind me of retablos. They bring authenticity and passion to this inspiring story that reminds us how lucky we are to have access to books. Add a library card and this toy donkey from Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

I'm greatly inspired by the work of Leo Lionni. His ability to create fantastic fables where animals with human values teach important lessons to kids will win you over. This artist really understood how kids think and his authentic, essential illustration style offers lessons on peace, individuality, sharing and cooperation. In Inch by Inch a clever inchworm uses his measuring skills to get out of sticky situations. Reminds me of growing up in Mexico City. He calculates the length of a flamingo's neck and then a heron's legs. When a nightingale asks him to measure his song he has to think fast or become dinner.

Leo Lionni was the first illustrator to use collage as the main medium in children's books and you can find surprises like hand made paper, photos, ribbon and newspaper clippings. His rich earth tones and ability to distill the essence of his subjects in a simple, captivating way makes him a legend in my eyes.

Pair this with a colorful, kid-friendly tape measure and curious kids will discover the joy of measuring the tails on their stuffed animals or the size of dad's shoes.

Adventurous adults and kids will fall hard for the This Is Series from extraordinary Czech illustrator Miroslav Sasek.

If you love mid-century design and travel, these books will make your head spin. If you get just one you will want to collect them all to dream about the places you will go.

Pair them with a bow and these playful luggage tags or a wonderful GEOpuzzle where the pieces are shaped like the countries. My son and I had more fun putting the puzzle together. He then picked a piece that corresponded to these incredible books and the reading began. You couldn't ask for a more enlightening tour guide than M. Sasek for your next adventure.

Explore the awesome power of might Zeus with an extraordinary book illustrated by Spanish artist and illustrator Pep Montserrat and retold by Eric Kimmel, The McElderry book of Greek Myths. The gorgeous end papers pay tribute to ancient Greek vases and the compellingly rich, earthy, imagery will transport you spellbound to Greece. Combine this book with rainbow scratch paper and kids can create their own ancient Greek vases. I found these fantastic kids scratchboard art from third graders in Miss Oetken's class. Great work!

Take a look at the pure magic in the illustrations of gifted Mary Blair. This legend had a sophisticated sense of color, and a whimsical, naive-stylized simplicity that catches your eye. If you've been to Disneyland think of the Small World ride or what about the films Peter Pan or Alice in Wonderland. At our home in Mexico there are many wonderful religious processions. Perhaps my favorite part is seeing small children dressed in white with angel wings. Mary Blair's wonderful work in the little golden book I Can Fly would be a heavenly match with a set of these inexpensive toy wings.

Cooking up delicious combinations with books can get your kids involved in the joy of reading and giving.

This year I got lucky and got to work with clever writer Samantha Vamos on our book The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred. I had fun stirring the pot of color and in the back this book includes a recipe for Arroz Con Leche [Rice Pudding]. Pair Cazuela with these colorful 100% Mexican oilcloth aprons that are easy to clean and a rainbow wire whisk perfect for beating the egg yolks.

Don't forget to add the lime.

The hidden power of ideas

2011-10-31T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the second installment of a dialogue started last July called thinking your way around the concept.

There is much to learn from looking and listening to the works of great artists, writers and musicians. Their journeys can add to your problem solving tool box. Through observation and practice many of these techniques and ideas started to appear intuitively in my own paintings. I long to spend an entire day-better yet two days wandering a place like the Chicago Art Institute. Great works of art reveal secrets that I often miss when looking at books or the Internet. Navigating through art galleries, literature and music is a method to record new observations and explore the twists and turns of

conceptual thinking.

1. Hide a secret in your paintings.

Belgian Surrealist Rene Magritte said "Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see but it is impossible. Humans hide their secrets too well". You have to admire the way Magritte embraced paradox in his works. I created this illustration for KQED in San Francisco and embedded a hidden bird in the collage of faces. That magical focal point serves as a sweet spot that symbolically connects the people together. Going a bit deeper Magritte's technique is like a whisper that you strain your ears to hear.

It engages the viewer.

2. Add a dose of raw emotion.

A form of German expressionism, Der Blaue Reiter was an impassioned style that challenged the passive notions of history with intensely emotional, brighter colors and shapes. These artists recognized the communicative power of primitive, folk and children's art. We Mexicans have a passion for masked heroes of the vox populi. I find it fascinating that cultures around the globe that are considered primitive or very civilized use masks in theatrical, ceremonial, religious and magical rites.

Masks both hide and reveal.

When I was 5 years old my mother used to dip my finger in a bit of tabasco and put it on my tongue. As time went on I began to crave that intensity of flavor and now work to channel that raw emotion into my paintings. When looking at what you are creating, challenge yourself to turn up the volume and see what happens.

3. Explore Allegories and Myths

An allegory is a story with a meaning partially hidden somewhere in the narration. Myths help explain rituals, natural events and why people believe what they do. As a child growing up in Mexico City, my family would throw parties with music and invited poets who would recite their work and tell stories. I remember Carlos Jaso who painted vivid pictures with both his words and voice. In my opinion, when you want to move your audience you have to weave a tale that is full of magic. Whatever you do-don't be literal but take the viewer on a visual journey. Thanks to the quests of my 9 year old son Santiago, I have once again become enamored with the ancient Greeks. They know how to spark the imagination of children and adults with spell-binding stories that reveal something well beyond literal meaning.

In this poster for an International Chamber Music Festival in Mexico I fused the supernatural mermaid who lives beneath the sea with the ethereal wings of an angel. In the tail you see a Mexican calaca or skull and tear drop shapes in the wings. An eye floats in a cloud over the head of this other-worldly creature who enchants the audience with the haunting sound of her violin.

4. Find the hidden essence of an idea through simplification.

So much of the beauty and finesse of illustration is knowing what to leave out. Too much information, and unnecessary details cast a shadow over your composition and obscure what is really important. The great painter Joan Miró created childlike renderings and symbolic reductions of whimsical form with calligraphic strokes and pure color.

Think about what you are adding to your work and how it contributes to the overall concept and emotional response you want to achieve.

The roots and origins of Merengue are conveyed in this simple composition evoking a stylized African mask, with the essential instruments and dancers stripped of detail.

5. Unleash the narrative in your paintings.

Frida Kahlo's work was a fusion of folktales, fantasy and surrealism woven in a powerful narrative. Her own biography reads like an epic Gabriel García Márquez novel and the power of the narrative was evident in her work. I grew up close to her home La Casa Azul in Coyocan and together with my parents we would visit often. Frida is considered a Mexican Surrealist but it was never her plan to be part of the movement. She painted instead the story of her life in a way that expressed her own personal feelings about it. I am struck by her affection for retablos or laminas that tell the stories of miraculous healing and rescue. Often painted by untrained artists an entire wall of her home is covered in these narrative treasures.

In this spread for an upcoming children's book, My Name is Tito for Harper Collins the dress of Celia Cruz tells the story of her life and exile from Cuba in a rainbow of colors that will appeal to children and express the azucar in her spirit and voice.

6. Employ a visual synonym.

Aristotle said "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." Symbolists favored spirituality, the imagination and dreams. They believed that art should represent absolute truths that could only be described indirectly. Symbolist writers, poets and artists like the inspiring Austrian painter

Gustav Klimt used alluring metaphors that gave objects symbolic meaning.

In this illustration for the UTNE Reader I was challenged to convey the text of a complex concept. The antique dip pen became a symbol to express the angst of a blues songwriter and the ink is transformed into falling tears.

7. Scratching the surface

Texture is one of the most direct routes to the hidden emotions of your audience. Prolific painter Rufino Tamayo was influenced by Cubism, Impressionism, Pre-Columbian art and Fauvism. His work had an intrinsically Mexican style that ignited your senses. He left a rich legacy by expanding the technical and visual possibilities of arts by developing the Mixografia technique. This communicated the texture and volume of his designs and gave him the freedom to create strong identity in his work. In this personal piece Firedance I rely on tactile and visual texture to add a spark to the composition. I've collected a variety of tools including natural materials like shells, twigs, and feathers and also use pottery tools, masking tape and my xacto blade to give texture the surface of my paintings.

Opening Studio Doors

2011-10-29T09:38:00.001-07:00

So much of the creative process is about solitude.

Writer Thomas Mann said "Solitude gives birth to the original in us, to beauty unfamiliar and perilous-to poetry."

As a painter I find that I need to spend a great deal of my time alone. When creating a children's book I work to find focus in the storytelling. This involves 18-20 paintings and so I am often isolated for months on end. I strive to find that quiet space, free of distractions that lets each story take shape.

One of the great contradictions to this idea is the need to nurture creativity by connecting with others, to gain inspiration and actively collaborate. This coming Friday November 4 I will be opening the doors of my studio and want to invite readers of this blog to come by. I will be talking about my process and concept with a group of design and illustration students from San Diego City College. If you can make it meet at 843 Tenth Avenue. Studio C in downtown San Diego next Friday November 4 at noon.

Latinos Opening Doors

2011-10-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Did you know that by the year 2050, all minorities combined will represent more than 50% of the population of the United States?

Leaders in education and business are already thinking about the significant impact of this new minority-majority.

The growing Latino population is rapidly becoming a major player in the economic, political and social issues that will affect this country. Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in this nation but have the lowest education attainment levels. To create a strong future and vital economy we have to get proactive and empower Latino children and youth for success through education and leadership programs.

During Latino Heritage Month I was energized to be part of a lively conversation focused on issues facing the Latino community as part of ¡Viva Fest! in San Jose, California. Immigration, education, family, politics, and economics were all on the table. It's important to think about the achievements and challenges of the past few years.

I believe the answers we need will only come if we continue to open doors for young Latinos through education. We have to invest our energy and passion to reach them at a young age and assist and encourage them to complete their college education.

My own role models growing up were teachers, artists, writers and musicians. They still are.

For three decades I've been a fan of Los Lobos because they are storytellers who remain true to their roots. Listening to their songs I am walking down their callejon in East L.A. I'm impressed with how David Hidalgo, Louis Perez and Los Lobos have successfully sent their authentic blend of music out to a much wider audience. They channel Latino spirit in a way that breaks down barriers and crosses borders. Their involvement with community issues and children is something I greatly admire. In 1995 I was lucky to paint the cd cover for Papa's Dream, the best selling record Los Lobos created with Lalo Guerrero for kids. Here's a favorite early video of Los Lobos performing on Sesame Street. It was incredible to re-connect and find out the band is still as passionate about children, family, community and education.

At ¡Viva Fest! the unforgettable concert by Los Lobos was followed by the energetic Tito Puente Jr. and the dynamic sounds of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Having just completed the illustrations for my sixth children's book My Name is Tito and the Latin Music Legends stamp for Tito Puente it was a great opportunity to give the original sketch for the stamp to his talented son Tito Puente Jr. I was ready to celebrate the cultural and musical legacy of El Rey de los Timbales and dance toda la noche.

Creating something big

2011-09-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

It's Latino Heritage month and that's something worth celebrating all year long. Latino artists have a great tradition of murals and it's thrilling to create something big and lasting with people you've just met. I've spent a good part of this year traveling around by plane to Arizona, Chicago and Kentucky, in a car with my map all over Minnesota, a library bus in Dubai, by bike here in California and even on foot. Visiting schools, libraries, cultural events, concerts, and neighborhoods. After all that coming and going I realize that authentic Latino spirit is central to the soul of America. We are part of the colorful threads, woven into the fabric of this great place.

I know I'm traveling under a lucky star as those threads have connected me to some very inspiring people. At a conference in Alabama I heard a powerful talk by Irene Romsa who created a unique literacy outreach project for kids called Rincon de Cuentos. Yesterday she sent this video artfully put together by Mark Grant. It celebrates the people of Fort Collins, Colorado, their enthusiasm for art and strong sense of community. Painting a mural with them was like sharing a picnic on a richly woven sarape for long hours, then enjoying a memorable meal followed by great conversation with family and friends.

Please take a look.

There's another wall waiting in Chicago so next June I look forward to connecting with that community and creating something big .

Reflections on the Autumn Equinox

2011-09-11T21:27:00.001-07:00

After a serious push on the paintings for my latest book I've returned to San Diego and am settling back in to the studio. The air is much cooler now and after a long walk on the beach with my son this afternoon I began thinking about the seasons of life. The California coastline that I ached for was covered in thick red strands of sea kelp and greedy seagulls were feasting on clusters of mussels. We decided that the sand dollars in different shapes and sizes were from Neptune's treasure chest but had washed ashore after a storm. Santiago and I climbed up to the highest rock along the jetty to watch fishing boats headed out the mouth of the bay. It was a good way to reflect on this 10 year anniversary of 9-11. Like others I will never forget that moment and all the emotions that it still brings. I wanted to remember how that moment brought people together. We watched a bouquet of white flowers tied with a red ribbon float out to sea.

I realized this afternoon that living and working in two locations means that when I am in one place I long for the other. Perhaps that's why I had to satisfy a serious craving for fish tacos after our walk on the beach. I realize this duality helps me stay visually stimulated and so it was time to let the colors of this new season find their way to my brushes. This past week our son headed back to school with his new pencils and binder with a-z dividers and in many ways Fall means a fresh start. Strangely enough we had a 14 hour power outage on Thursday that left Southern California, Arizona and parts of Mexico in total darkness. My nephew found his way over on his bike and we lit up lots of candles then went outside and played guitars till late that night. The stars were indescribably bright in downtown and although we lose power all the time in Mexico I can't remember enjoying a blackout quite as much. I came home from San Miguel de Allende with my suitcase full of large jars of paint. This was followed by a trip to the art store for the new brushes needed to replace those that had permanently bit the dust. Then it happened, my trusty old friend the blue hairdryer finally gave out. Maybe the power surge when the electricity came back on was just too much. I was about to toss it but was moved to see it covered with the streaked colors of years of past paintings. I decided it deserved respect after all those years of service so it now rests at the top of my bookshelf.

In August I turned 50 and found that like several of my friends I experienced a sense of melancholy and reflection at the changing seasons of my own life. Autumn has always been a time to turn inward and the good news is that introspection can only be good for your work. In the meantime we can savor the lush abundance of harvest and the crazy fun of Halloween with our kids and friends. Here's a Bruja-a personal piece that I painted for an artist friend who works with found objects.

I'm a scavenger and like to play with old stuff too, so this year I started making robots to put those found objects to work.

This last one is an angel and on this day I remember.

Thinking in Pictures

2011-08-12T13:29:00.001-07:00

Have you ever noticed how travel changes the way you see? French writer Marcel Proust got it right when he said "The real magic lies not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes". When I was 10 years old, my architect parents sent me on my first big trip. I left the brightly accented, sprawling concrete of Mexico City for a communal farm in Exeter England where I lived with conceptual and performance artist Felipe Ehrenberg. I found myself immersed in a world of new hues, pale whites, grays and greens with vast open spaces. Visiting London was like a book that had come alive and each time I flipped the page it was thrilling. The opportunity to see things outside my life experience changed me. My senses were completely shook up and I began to explore this new visual landscape. I needed to put it all down in my drawings. With Felipe's guidance I learned to use a printing press and produced a handmade journal that blended my adventures and imagination. On that trip I became aware that everyone regardless of their culture or language, experiences a universal set of emotions like joy, sorrow or passion.

Those early encounters shaped me. When painting I associate emotions with both color and texture because they visually tap into our shared feelings and experiences.

Growing up in Mexico I was exposed at an early age to vibrant hues that reached out and grabbed hold of my senses. I remember my childhood as a vivid swirl of color. Babies wrapped in their mother's deep purple rebozos, the bright rosa mexicano pink of tuna cactus fruit ice cream on a hot day. I find myself searching for colors and textures wherever I go and record them in my subconscious or sometimes with a camera. When I close my eyes I see these colors and textures and over the years have invited them into my work.

It's fascinating that healers at St. Jude's Hospital and the American Red Cross use color to enter the world of young people as it helps them connect to the emotions of children in need. I know how lucky I am to paint for kids and I want my illustrations to inspire and challenge them. That connection between color and feelings is basic and profound so there is no need for watered down colors or realism. They are way too smart and don't need us adults to remind them that a bus is yellow or the grass is green. Unlike adults, children are able to keep information from their senses separate and thus perceive the world differently. As we get older our senses fuse together and we lose the ability to focus on isolated pieces of sensory information.

I have found that the most direct route to the emotions of my young audience is quirky, unpredictable, magical color. Children are more likely to trust their emotions and respond to these gutsy colors with fresh eyes. When making children's books I find myself constantly challenged to spend time trying to think the way they do.

For this reason, the search for color is something I take seriously and get very excited about. This is the humble little tiendita in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where I buy the essential ingredients for my paintings. For years I wondered why my 75 year old mother would take the time to walk to the mercado every day to buy just what she needed for the upcoming meal. Then I realized that the 20 minute walk to go buy the colors I needed for the day was a chance to think about the direction a painting was going.

In my quest for chroma I look for clues in the visual environment and make mental notes. I'm searching for colors and textures that trigger an intuitive, emotional response. I often file these images on my computer or print them out to use when the time is right. I tape them up on the walls of my studio and they illuminate the path I take when creating a book or illustration.

One day I decided to walk a different route through the countryside and came upon this beautiful old abandoned church. The facade confronted my senses and the colors got inside me. The rich textures, warmth of the reds and pinks eventually found their way into the desert scene below.

I am always amused with the way painters try out colors here in Mexico. This indecisive wall really captured my attention and flooded me with mixed emotions.

When asked to create a poster for the San Diego Blues Festival I was inspired to re-visit those colors and textures to convey a romance gone wrong. I've added a woman's face that is like a tattoo across his heart, he rolls the dice and the passion in his voice becomes a green songbird.

The beauty and pageantry of a street procession during Holy Week left a big impression on me. Our town becomes the backdrop for a celebration of centuries old traditions and authentic spirit.

When contemplating beauty my senses were reminded of how the colors and textures moved me in that unforgettable scene. I synthesized them into this painting called Colibri.

At times even the subject matter of a visual reference will directly inform my work. When traveling in Switzerland I wandered into a graveyard behind a castle and saw this wonderful sculpture that struck a visual nerve.

The subject matter and weathered textures of the stone evoked this personal piece I call the Angel of Reason.

The piece below Cuban Dreams was a direct response to the music, colors and textures I saw on a trip to Havana. I have realized the value of building a visual vocabulary by thinking in pictures. Cultivating the spirit of a traveler as I go through life means opening my senses to the emotional cues, colors and textures of the world around me.

Clearing your Cabeza

2011-08-01T17:18:00.001-07:00

leaHemingway said "There is nothing to writing.
All you do is sit down at your typewriter and bleed".

Here in Mexico I seem to find more time to think about my creative process and work to re-connect with it. I meet many people in my travels who think that an artist can create anytime, anywhere. In my case that couldn't be further from the truth.

Creating the mind space to draw or paint takes discipline. Once you make that commitment to love what you do madly you find a certain freedom. In order to create however you need to be free of whatever is bothering you. We are bombarded by things we feel the need to take care of before we can get down to the really satisfying work of creating. It could be financial issues, relationships, health concerns, or distractions like email. In my opinion one of the most helpful books on this subject is Steven Pressfield's: The War of Art. In this book he talks about RESISTANCE [the phantom that take many forms], the ego, all the internal and external things that impact our work. All the little excuses we make for not doing what we want to do or putting our creative work off till later.

Hemingway was right. I believe defeating those distractions involves rolling up your sleeves and making sure your fingers are covered with paint on a regular basis. It's about making a mark on the paper each day even if you think that mark isn't the best one you've ever made. I've talked about this with musicians, writers and artists and it seems that we all share a common experience.

Now everyone is different. I have found that it helps me to transition to this clear space in my head each day so I can paint. It's something to realize that you are the one responsible for making yourself too busy. It helps to seek out that silence and space and to make it a spiritual practice. I work best early, early in the morning before my family opens their eyes and I choose to run. I like to get out of the city into the country. I know these photos make it look idyllic but I sometimes have to deal with an occasional stray dog at my heels. For me, it is worth the risk as breathing oxygen and tuning into the healing power of nature calms the clutter. This morning I decided to take along a camera to document my efforts to quiet the mind.

When I return, I always draw first as it helps me to think visually, solve problems and find a language to communicate with myself and others. Then it's time to get down to the conceptualizing, sanding, transferring and painting part. I've talked with other creatives who write morning pages popularized in Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way [stream of consciousness writing] to clear the clutter. Deep breathing, meditation, going for a walk or listening to music are some of the techniques I've heard about from friends. I'd like to hear from others about your methods to quiet the mind.

Perhaps one of my all time favorite artists, Charley Harper also found great inspiration from nature. When once asked to describe his art style, he said,

“When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create

an ordered universe.”

New video featuring children's books and murals

2011-08-01T09:55:00.001-07:00

I've just put together this video that celebrates some of the children's books and community murals I've painted with kids. I shot most of the footage and still imagery here in San Miguel de Allende to connect my illustrations with the vibrant street life that inspires my work. I've also included images I shot on a trip up the stunning California coastline. The lively soundtrack, called "Horsing Around" was written by my close friend Gil Gutierrez who also hails from San Miguel. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video by clicking the link here.

Thinking your way around the concept

2011-07-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's great to hear from many up and coming illustrators, I genuinely appreciate your questions and thank you for your support. This post is for you and anyone who values ideas and unique, hand-crafted illustration. I believe it is important for young artists to develop their abilities andlisten to that intuitive voice-the one that compels them to make images for a larger audience. Popular culture is bursting with the power of visual thinking. Drawing and painting is a way to communicate, to deliver messages and I can't imagine anything more exciting or rewarding. I've been working at this now for 25 years and in that time I've learned to never miss an opportunity to re-invent myself.

I was fortunate to teach for the Art Center at Night program mentoring young illustrators. I'm not afraid to share techniques and tricks because I know that anyone who learns them will apply them in their own way. If they do rip me off I remind myself to work harder and stay a little ahead of them. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to teach workshops to children and students because I learn so much from them. Most of my conscious effort is pushing myself to draw more intuitively, to try to solve visual problems like a child. Kids haven't developed timidness in their approach to drawing and I find that so refreshing.

While discovering yourself, study but don't copy other people's style. Usually by the time you master their "look" they are miles ahead of you and their style has already evolved. You can't go looking for style as true style finds you and comes from the inside out. Keep listening to that inner voice- the one that reminds you of your passions and the things you love. Be patient, create a plan. It is so important to keep your mind and eyes open. I'm greatly inspired by the history of art, design styles and illustration. If you take a look you'll find some great approaches there to add value to your thinking. Start with the Surrealists whose work is filled with illogical juxtapositions and the element of surprise. Then check out the Expressionists who mastered distorting reality for emotional effect. In this post I decided to use some of my work to show you how to look at historical style and apply the concepts of these great painters and thinkers to your own illustration.

What has always fascinated me as an artist and illustrator is concept, the idea, the content and that is followed by style and technique. I have chosen to be a conceptual illustrator so to keep things fresh, ideas need to come from my head.

1. Play with scale, shape and composition.

In this recent poster for Bird Day.org notice how the bird in the middle is much larger than the kids. I enjoy throwing reality out the window, if it helps me communicate the emotion and excitement of discovering birds. The shapes are essential to the composition. When building the layout I keep a close eye on the negative spaces to make sure they are working. I sketch on tracing paper as it allows me to tear pieces, move and juxtapose elements in the design stage. It's like arranging furniture in a room. When you find the right place for everything and put it there it just feels right.

2. Search for visual metaphors to express an understanding

of one idea as it relates to another idea. I look for some similarity or correlation between the two.

Here the teacher is represented as a strong tree who inspires, motivates, and provides shade [a safe environment] to help students reach their potential.

In this image I'm connecting the concepts of nature and nurture.

It's important to do personal work whenever you can as it pushes the boundaries of your thinking. It's a chance to explore ideas and stay in touch with what makes you tick.

I often create visual metaphors to articulate my emotions.

In this case, the man in the boat finds a safe harbor with the woman he loves.

3. I look for ways to represent the emotion or spirit of the text or idea.

Pat Mora's text said: "Our families tell us stories while we listen and play". I remember the magic of my parents storytelling. We read with our son every day and sometimes when the story or image is compelling he gets a dreamy look in his eyes. I wanted to capture that emotion with this concept. As an illustrator you have the opportunity to expand on an idea and take the words to unexplored places.

4. Giving inanimate objects personality.

A great exercise I've done with students is to drop a bunch of adjectives written on slips of paper in one hat and inanimate objects in another. Then draw an adjective and object and connect them in your illustration. The randomness of this process pays tribute to Dada. You might end up with a shy shoe or an obnoxious wire whisk. It's great practice for putting emotion into your work. You can give personality to anything.

In this poster for jazz radio station KSDS I've created a trumpet that can sizzle like habanero chile or give wings to the sweet song of a nightingale.

5. Distort reality for emotional effect and use symbolism.

Read a novel by Franz Kafka, or think of Edvard Munch's figure running in agony against a blood red sky. In his diary Munch wrote that he "sensed an infinite scream passing through nature". The expressionists found a way to distort color and form that tapped into the viewer's emotions.

I paint directly on wood but sometimes use the computer to scan in my work then experiment with color shifts or textural effects. If I find something I like better I will go back to my painting and change it.This piece for Amnesty International calls attention to their work to win release of prisoners of conscience around the world. Notice the figure bound by barbed wire holding the flame of hope. That wire changes to a growing plant as the prisoner attains freedom.

6. Don't forget to add an element of surprise.

My son Santiago believed that paintbrushes were magic wands. In this illustration for Book Fiesta the submarine has mechanical arms and the anglerfish serves as the reading light. I'm very inspired by indigenous peoples of the world. The painter Paul Klee achieved that naive quality I keep reaching for. He was left-handed but could draw with both hands. He said that a clumsy hand is often more useful for drawing than a skilled hand.

7. Add humor and shake vigorously.

Laughter strengthens your immune system, pumps energy and protects you from stress. I used the window here to introduce humor as there is something funny about the cow having a conversation with the goat while being milked by the maiden. Perhaps it reminds me of the multi-tasking we have to do to get by.

8. Illusion: Overlapping objects and mixing scale.

Tipping my hat again to surrealists like Salvador Dali who used illusion. Here is a concept I use frequently in my work. In this painting I've got a larger hand reaching down into the earth. The shape of the hand creates a painting within a painting. There in an interplay of color and illusion where the shape of the earth eventually becomes the shape of water with naive looking fish swimming by.

9. Put the familiar in an unfamiliar setting- juxtapose unrelated objects.

In this first illustration from ¡Yum!¡Mmm Qué Rico! America's Sproutings you see a red-headed girl enjoying chocolate. There's a chocolate castle and a cup of cocoa floating in the clouds. You see children literally diving into chocolate cake and pie. Surrealists like Rene Magritte explored putting unrelated objects together in such compelling ways. I like to make word lists and force connections between unrelated objects. For Book Fiesta! three kids and their dog [who thinks he is a pirate] are off on an adventure while riding in the mouth of a happily spouting whale. Sure you could do this in photoshop but it might be scary for kids. As an illustrator you can tell the story with visuals that give the right information to a child's imagination. It's all about having fun.

10. Mix and match ideas

You can use more than one approach at a time.The smaller figures communicate the power of collaboration and teamwork. I've incorporated the color switches and overlapping from the illusion technique. In this illustration I'm also mixing scale and metaphor to illustrate how the writing of one person could motivate others to reach for the stars, or the moon or the sun.

UNIVISION Video -Latin Music Legends stamps

2011-07-21T16:38:00.001-07:00

To view a video filmed by UNIVISION at my studio in San Diego about the Latin Music Legends Stamps created to honor Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena please click here.

!aaaahhhhh Aguas Frescas!

2011-07-17T18:09:00.001-07:00

In the search for new colors for the backgrounds of my latest children's book I have found big inspiration in Aguas Frescas. Yesterday I photographed this stand at the Mercado San Juan de Dios in San Miguel de Allende. I like to make short video clips on my daily walks then review them each morning. At the end of the day it's clear I often synthesize these sights and sounds into my work. I find it also helps to sip color while I'm painting.

My mother Pillo started making these fresh fruit drinks for me when I was a kid and they are typically served from large barrel-shaped glass containers called jarrones. In summer, it's easy to find vendors selling these colorful concoctions on carts all over town often kept cool by resting on large blocks of ice. You make authentic aguas frescas from fresh fruit like melons, oranges, cantaloupes, pineapples, limes, guavas, watermelons, mangos...whatever you can find. Here in Mexico we sometimes use more exotic ingredients like hibiscus flowers [dried jamaica], tamarind pods or pomegranates.

Here's our technique.

Grab a pitcher and fill it with water.

Depending on the fruit you may or may not choose to add sweeteners like honey, agave syrup or sugar.

Cut the fruit and blend it in a blender then add that to your pitcher.

Certain fruits you might need to strain.

Cool it in the fridge overnight or add ice to drink on the spot.

Getting the rhythm

2011-07-17T16:27:00.001-07:00

This video clip of my friends, extraordinary guitarists Gil Gutierrez and Jaime Valle

feeling the rhythm was filmed at The Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende.

After an intense travel schedule this year it's great to be home in San Miguel de Allende. When creating it is so important to find the right rhythm. I've enjoyed settling into the studio this week and soaking up some of the local color. As you can imagine the hues and textures of our town give breath to my work.

When the first rooster crows I put on my running shoes and go for an early jog to clear my head and absorb the sounds of the city, colors of nature and unparalleled quality of light.

Often unexpected juxtapositions take me by surprise and these ideas find their way into my work.

This is followed by a strong cup of coffee, latin jazz and solitude so I can focus and get into the painting zone. I work to build an uninterrupted rhythm in my studio from early morning to late afternoon. I like to take short breaks to clear my head. My favorite technique to stay fresh is to play my guitar beside a fountain we built outside. The sound of the water and music does the trick.

I wanted to introduce you to my 9 year old son Santiago who is my most important critic. Working on children's books it's essential to make sure you are speaking the right language and he keeps me on track. It's a gift to spend time with him and I like to see things through his eyes.

Here he is in his pajamas with the donkeys across the street. Down the hill they come early each morning with the campensinos bringing firewood and sacks of dirt into town.

Santi is testing out the Lucha Libre wrestler costume created by his grandmother. I am so inspired by the children I meet as their imaginations really give wings to things we take for granted.

Santiago gives me valuable feedback as my books develop and I like to see how he responds to certain characters or icons on the pages I paint. If you pay attention you can really see where his eyes go first and next.

Then I wander down the hill to get inspired by sketching and shooting photos of textures and colors for the next day.

As an artist I've learned to surround myself with the things that I'm passionate about. This can be as simple as putting up images that resonate for you or playing good music in your studio.

To look for clues that make you tick, or listen to that voice inside your head-to really make time to listen.

It's about not making excuses or letting resistance keep you from the things you want to do. When I sense obstacles or blocks I return to my sketchbook and just keep drawing.

You have to work to craft the space in your head needed to create. To realize how important it is to find the rhythm and to search for it wherever you go.

I'm currently painting spreads for a new children's book My Name is Tito

and feeling the beat.

Unity, Art & Renewal in Fort Collins

2011-06-19T14:35:00.001-07:00

This week I'm returning to the studio energized by the excitement of painting a community mural. I'm greatly inspired by my compatriotas Carlos Merida, Diego Rivera, José Orozco, Siqueiros and the Mexican mural movement of the 1930's that brought art to public places as a cultural, social and political tool. In 1989 I worked to develop a mural style that would invite people with or without formal art training to participate in the monumental process of creating murals. The initial murals were part of the Urban Art Trail project to reclaim the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego where I live and work using art. I believe that Iarge, public murals can bring a sense of place and engage residents of the neighborhood. Involving the community in the art making creates a genuine sense of ownership.

Here I am meeting the wall for the first time and taking in the scale of the space. The 61 foot long by 15 foot tall mural is at the Civic Center Parking Structure located on Mason and Laporte Avenue in downtown.

Demonstrating to the team how to transfer the original drawing into the large scale mural once the grid has been snapped.

A challenging aspect of mural painting is working with the architectural elements of a space to create a composition and concept that integrates with a location while communicating an authentic spirit and purpose.

A year ago I met the amazing Irene Romsa at a book conference at the University of Alabama. She talked about a unique outreach program Rincon de Cuentos that brings bilingual storytelling, theatre, and puppetry to underserved communities with the goal of promoting literacy and bringing families to the library. I knew I wanted to contribute my work and time to support these efforts.The big event happened on Friday June 17th when 125 children and community volunteers came together to breathe life into the mural celebrating unity, art and renewal. It was a big fiesta rich with diversity, singing, dancing and food. I worked with enthusiastic children, librarians and families of the remarkable Poudre River Public Library District who sponsored the project. I appreciate the support of the City of Fort Collins, Art in Public Places Program and several sponsoring agencies and businesses.I'm deeply grateful to fellow artists, Terry, Karol, Chris, Bill, Lisa, Mary, Francisco and others who showed up on Tuesday to help me snap the lines, grid and outline the larger than life project. With their help and expertise we were able to prepare the mural for the community in just four days! I want to thank Irene and Ludi Rueda for their organizational abilities, dedication, vision, and kindness. I am proud of the result that celebrates the library district’s outreach efforts to connect and enrich the lives of underserved groups. I hope the community of Fort Collins will enjoy the mural for many years to come.

The captivating photo above of 6 year old Hallie Gordie painting the mural is courtesy of Rich Abrahamson and The Coloradoan. To view a dynamic slide show they created of this event click here.

!Bienvenidos!

2011-05-14T16:50:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the studio.

I look forward to connecting with old and new friends. Please check out my new blog about children's books by clicking on this link: rafael lopez books

You can also visit my website at: rafaellopez.com
Thanks for your support.

Discovering Sharjah on my trip to Dubai

2011-05-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

I want to thank my new friends in Sharjah who share a great passion for books.

I had the chance of a lifetime to discover the beautiful emirate of Sharjah, which overlooks the Persian Gulf. This region has an impressive array of cultural and traditional projects, elegant mosques, fascinating souks [markets] and many outstanding museums. I was invited by the gracious Bodour Alqasimi, the daughter of the Emir to visit and give a workshop for children. Her incredible renovation of the Casbah area includes restaurants, offices, galleries and a cultural center where the workshop was held.

What a thrill it was to see my children's book, Book Fiesta translated into Arabic by my good friends at Kalimat Publishing. I'm a southpaw so it felt natural to start reading on the left. I discovered kind, worldly people and had a magnificent time exploring the city with Omar, Amani and Tamer. In 1998 Sharjah was named a UNESCO World Heritage site for being the cultural capital of the Arab world. My appreciation goes out to Marwa for organizing the trip and especially to the inquisitive, energetic and talented children I met in the workshop. I wanted to share some of my photos including the library bus that goes out to the far reaches of the region bringing books to children. The Expo Centre Sharjah is well known for the annual book fair that is famous all over the region. The Emir personally takes keen interest in this event which brings together hundreds of publishers from all over the world and thousands of titles. I look forward to working with my new friends in the future to promote children's literature.

Latin Music Legends Stamp Release Celebration

2011-03-16T10:25:00.001-07:00

"From this day forward, these colorful, vibrant images of our Latin music legends will travel on letters and packages to every single household in America. In this small way, we have created a lasting tribute to five extraordinary performers, and we are proud and honored to share their legacy with Americans everywhere through these beautiful stamps."

Marie Therese Dominguez,
VP, Government Relations and Public Policy

United States Postal Service

I'm connecting from the South by Southwest Music and Media Festival in Austin,Texas. Today March 16th was the first-day-of-issue ceremony for five
Latin Music Legends Commemorative Forever Stamps that I painted for the United States Postal Service. They honor Latin Music Legends Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena. The stamps go on sale today and will be part of a special tour wrapping up during Latin Heritage month, September 15-October 15. Commemorative stamp print runs normally are about 40 million, but due to anticipated demand the U.S.P.S. has printed 60 million.For the celebration Gibson unveiled a series of customized studio guitars, featuring the artwork of the stamps and these five guitars will be retired to the Smithsonian after their touring exhibit. I want to thank visionary art director Ethel Kessler who made the stamps happen. Ephiphone President Jim Rosenberg, Maclovio Perez and Robert Trevino of Gibson guitars for their hospitality in putting this memorable release celebration together. Appreciation also goes out to Jennie Coe of the United States Postal Service and especially the hundreds of people who attended and waited in line to have their stamps signed. The celebration also included Grammy award-winning Latin band Grupo Fantasma who played before a packed house.

After almost two years of working on these stamps I was especially moved to meet the Quintanilla family including Selena's sister Suzette who came to my rescue and sent me her favorite image of Selena performing in Houston. That image communicated her mesmerizing style and inspired the stamp. Pictured here is Selena's husband Christopher Perez, brother A.B., dad Abraham, her lovely mom Marcela, and wonderful sister Suzette.

These music legends are heroes of the Latin sound and we honor their incredible contributions that will forever impact world music. It's all about the music! I hope you will click on the names of these legendary artists highlighted in orange to listen and see some of the phenomenal performances that inspired me to create these stamps. In alphabetical order they are; Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena. Their distinctive styles embrace a diverse range of musical genres including salsa, tango, samba, Latin jazz and tejano.

I am passionate about Latin music as it has fueled my work for decades. As a child growing up in Mexico City I was lucky to study guitar and South American instruments like the quena and cuatro with Folklorista Gerardo Tamez. My uncle had a musical radio program at UNAM that introduced folk and protest music from Latin America. I grew up in a household where my architect parents constantly played instruments and sang songs. We were always dancing and to this day I can't bring myself to paint without music.

What an honor it is for me to tell you more about these extraordinary legends and the process of creating stamps to celebrate their contributions. I'm proud of Latin music because it is essential in communicating the spirit of our culture. I have to agree that Latinos are born with rhythm. These five dynamic individuals continue to inspire future generations of musicians. I hoped to paint portraits that would resonate for their families and fans. I felt compelled to give it all I had as an artist to communicate the essence of these legends, their spirit, style and sound.

Celia Cruz stamp, mood board with imagery

and an initial sketch

CELIA CRUZ

¡Azucar! What made Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa so unique?

I wanted to celebrate that electrifying voice, those elaborate wigs, flamboyant costumes and dazzling smile that made you feel like you were part of her family. Her powerful contralto voice, dance energy and charismatic personality endeared her to fans from different nationalities and generations. A musical artist who knew no boundaries. She broke down economic, gender and racial barriers with her humanity and mesmerizing vocal style.

Carlos Gardel stamp, sketch and a classic photo

CARLOS GARDEL

With his movie star looks and superb baritone voice, he was the first great singer of tango and remains an icon in Argentina, France and Uruguay. A magnetic stage presence he mesmerized audiences with his charm and dapper attire. Gardel's music has always fascinated me and I posed a model with my own guitar to get the right stamp composition. His nickname El Zorzal Criollo translates to the Creole Thrush. Listening to his music, I envisioned a smoky boliche and saw cool shades of blue as his incomparable voice evoked nostalgia and a longing for something lost.

Carmen Miranda stamp, photograph and preliminary sketch

CARMEN MIRANDA

The glamorous Portuguese born-Brazilian Bombshell samba singer who went on to become a film legend captivated audiences with her Latin charm and dazzling persona. Her remarkable film, stage and radio career and exotic signature outfit challenged me. I had to make it all fit in a way that would match the proportions of the other Latin Music Legend compositions. I tried to showcase her mischievous, playful and coquettish beauty in a classic Hollywood pose that tipped it's hat to her contributions in music and film.

Tito Puente stamp, mood board imagery and alternative sketch

TITO PUENTE

A musical pioneer this energetic and dynamic bandleader, percussionist, and composer fused Latin music with jazz and mixed Latin sounds with other musical styles. I was fortunate enough to see Tito performing live on the streets of San Diego. I was about 20 feet away and the raw energy and pure octane power he exuded was sensational. I wanted to capture in red the angular rhythms of Tito playing his timbales in the stamp's background. I'm currently working on a new book My Name is Tito about El Rey and can't wait to introduce this music legend to children.

Selena stamp and two sketches exploring composition

SELENA

The queen of tejano. I wanted to showcase her vibrant beauty. As an artist I was challenged by her love of fashion and style as Selena frequently changed hairstyles and clothing. After exploring many directions I became convinced that a photo provided by her family most closely communicated her essence. I worked to create a relationship between her hair and the background swirls to pay tribute to her sensual costumes and dance moves. I was moved to hear from Suzette Quintanilla who saw the stamp portrait before release and felt I had captured her sister's charismatic spirit.

HOW STAMPS BEGIN AND MY PROCESS

The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee meets several times a year to look over many suggestions for stamp subjects. These ideas come for committee members, stamp collectors, postal officials and the general public. Once approved each job is assigned to an art director who selects an artist whose style and technique they believe can deliver the essence of a subject and meet the challenge of communicating at postage stamp size.

The Let's Dance: Merengue stamp and Mendez v. Westminster stamp

In 2009 I was approached by an exceptional art director, Ethel Kessler whose clients include the United States Postal Service. We had worked together previously in 2005 creating the Merengue Latin Dance stamp and the Mendez v. Westminster stamp in 2007. A year later I painted a poster to help win the Latino vote for then candidate Barack Obama and the style of the portrait resonated for the U.S.P.S. and gave me a chance to work on this incredible project.

Talk about connections, my very first children's book My Name is Celia about Celia Cruz opened the door for me to create books for kids. I'm currently working on paintings for a new book My Name is Tito to be released in 2013 on the anniversary of his 90th birthday. I was excited to immerse myself once again into their lives and music and began to conduct extensive research into Selena, Carlos Gardel and Carmen Miranda. I tried to get inside the details of their lives by reading biographies and articles, watching films, looking at images and above all playing their music nice and loud.

Sketching for an upcoming children's book My Name is Tito and cover of My Name is Celia both written by Monica Brown

As an artist I tried to find the emotional qualities that described them and created mood boards with imagery, colors and textures to illuminate the path these paintings should take and develop a visual language. I poured over hundreds of images and worked to channel the spirit of their music into my sketches. I choose to not directly use any one image but reference still photography and video footage to synthesize information and get to the essence of a portrait. I stylized the images with the hope that people would see them and hear their music. Working closely with the art director I decided to show each musical artist in the period of time we thought people would remember them most. It's got to reduce well, not fill in or lose parts and communicate at the size of your thumb.

I then begin to sketch and it all begins with a pencil on paper. Talk about pressure. I was constantly aware that each stamp design had to be approved by committee, genuinely resonate with families and connect to fans. I gave it my best shot painting each portrait on a piece of sanded wood about 15 inches tall by 9 inches wide. I selected the wood carefully looking for the right texture to add character to the images. The process of sanding takes time and I like to think with patience the grain speaks to me.

I buy my acrylic paints in large jars at a small tiendita in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. These paints are bold just like Celia, Carlos, Carmen, Tito and Selena and for me authentic Latino color is all about orgullo!

One last thing, these are forever stamps making them as timeless as the Latin Music Legends who inspired them.

I hope you will join me today in celebrating our Latin Music Legends, Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena by listening to their music.

The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred

2011-02-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

With the help of her animal friends, a farm maiden begins to cook.

The goat lends some butter; the cow, fresh milk; the chicken, a few eggs—all for a pot of rice pudding. Inspired by "The House that Jack Built," Vamos offers a fresh, new twist, playfully introducing Spanish into this cumulative tale. The pot becomes the cazuela; the goat, the cabra; the butter, the matequilla; and so forth, until the text is bursting with bilingual energy. With each repetition, the momentum builds and bubbles until it reaches a boiling frenzy. Vamos then skillfully ties it all together, as each animal's Spanish name and accompanying ingredient is reiterated in a simple phrase—allowing readers to recall their meaning and relationship to the rice pudding. A party ensues, and all return to the cazuela to give thanks and share in their communal creation. López's artwork, with its desert palette punctuated by brilliant primary colors and its graphic, hard edges, suggestive of folk art, is a perfect match. His sophisticated, multilayered textures create depth, give form and work together to create an image that's easily readable, humorous and harmonious. Complete with an arroz con leche recipe and glossary of Spanish words, this thoughtful work will appeal to both Spanish speakers and learners.

A wonderful read-aloud, filled with merriment and conviviality. (Picture book. 4-7)
Kirkus Reviews

I'm excited to report the release of The Cazuela that the Farm Maiden Stirred written by the inspiring Samantha Vamos. It's a great feeling to see our book hit the shelves as the process of bringing a book to print is a long journey. I wanted to share some of the sketches for this lively and colorful tale as everything starts with pencil on paper.

Click here to read more about the birth of The Cazuela.
Thanks to amazing author Samantha Vamos for putting together the short video to celebrate our new book.

Music on my Mind

2011-01-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. No wonder it has found it's way into so much of my work. It is an essential part of my ability to create.

My father was and architect by trade but his real passion was digging up vanishing music from Old Mexico. Huasteca songs from Hidalgo and San Luis Potosi, Tierra Caliente from Guerrero and Veracruz tunes with Cuban and Caribbean influences. With his brother Ruben who hosted a radio program for UNAM devoted to these songs and musicologist Raul Helmer they traversed my country in search of pieces of musical history. Growing up listening to these amazing recordings and playing instruments with my family are among my favorite childhood memories. I started playing the guitar at age five and studied indigenous South American instruments in sixth grade. My best friends are musicians and I send my young son to a public school that has a strong music program.

When painting I listen to music and think about the colors the sounds and rhythm bring to the surface of my canvas.
Take a look and see if you can hear the music.

Storytelling connects us to the world

2011-01-01T11:24:00.001-08:00

In December like a bird, I can't wait to migrate south to my home and studio in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Sitting here at my weathered wooden desk covered with paint and coffee cup stains I've been thinking about storytelling and how it connects us to the world. Originally practiced by elders, stories passed on knowledge and wisdom to new generations.

A humble art form practiced in Mexico are small retablos or laminas painted on tin. Deeply rooted in Spanish history they tell stories of miracles and represent the heart, soul and religious traditions of Mexicans from the 17th-19th centuries. I've always been fascinated with the colorful symbolism and allegorical storytelling found in these clever art works used on home altars to give thanks to the infinite number of Catholic saints. Usually painted by self taught artists working alone in their studio or workshop I've been waiting for just the right opportunity to get a piece of tin and give it a try.

My close friend Gil Gutiérrez lives in a bohemian home that used to be a horse stable in the centro of San Miguel. He is without a doubt our town's most beloved musician. A virtuoso on the guitar, he has played with symphony orchestras across the U.S. and at Chicago's Millenium Park to a crowd of 10,000 people. My favorite place to hear him play is sitting around his kitchen table as his authentic music and vibrant spirit is an endless inspiration. He is building a home in the countryside near town and this past Fall was attacked by a stray rottweiler abandoned near his land. His arm was injured badly but healed quickly and he was able to get right back to making music. To commemorate and give thanks for this miracle I painted a lamina for him in the style of my compatriotas. My gifted friend is pictured with guitar on his land where he grows lavendar and his favorite drink mezcal invoking the protection of El Señor de los Rayos. You might notice the surrealism of his extra hand in my painting with the popular cuernos symbol to signify that he won't let anything stop his music. A graceful bird carries the banner of musical notes and the hand painted text tells the story of the miracle. I used sponges to age the piece that was painted with Mexican acrylics on tin.

In this painting I wanted to celebrate the humble art and storytelling of Mexican lamina painting as well as the power of my friend Gil's music. If you live in New York please be sure to catch Gil Gutiérrez live at Carnegie Hall with trumpet legend Doc Severinsen on January 28th. I believe his music captures the sound and soul of San Miguel de Allende and to hear it you can check out his website or visit his blog: Gil Gutiérrez Music.

Book Fiesta! 2010 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award

2010-01-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

On Sunday it was raining hard and I was hard at work multi-tasking my latest children's book and installing new shelves for my son Santiago's robot collection. The phone was ringing off the hook and I couldn't quite get there from the farthest part of the loft. Finally I connected with Lucia González calling me from the American Library Association with the incredible news that Book Fiesta! Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El día de los niños/El día de los libros had won the 2010 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. I need to express my thanks to Harper Collins for believing in the project and sincere appreciation to the ALSC committee for giving this very special book such a boost.

To say I admire the author Pat Mora is an understatement as her inspiring text featured Latino children inviting kids from other cultures to a book fiesta and linked this to a celebration of Children's Day. A big thanks to our visionary editor Adriana Dominguez who paired my work with Pat's writing and to Stephanie Bart-Horvath for design. Having served as co-chair of Read Across America I learned firsthand that reading really brings people from different cultures and paths of life together. It meant so much to me that this book was selected because children and books deserve to be connected.

Bravo to Julia Alvarez for her novel Return to Sender that examined the blurry line between American citizens and undocumented persons for winning the 2010 Pura Belpré Authors Award. I want to also give a serious tip of the hat to three exceptionally gifted fellow illustrators and friends David Diaz, Yuyi Morales and John Parra whose books were also selected by the committee this year as Belpré Honor Books. I really look forward to spending time with all of you and celebrating in Washington D.C. this June.

To read more about Book Fiesta and see the illustrations please visit my book blog by clicking here: Rafael López books

Phoenix Rising Mural

2009-05-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend we finished a mural called Phoenix Rising at the San Diego Cooperative Charter School, a unique public school that includes classes in art, music and Spanish for every child. I designed it in a simple graphic style as I wanted it to be painted by children, teachers and families. That's the school's art teacher Miss Allison Bell jumping up and down when we made it happen. This was the second mural I've volunteered to create for this inspiring public school under the leadership of a dedicated principal Dr. Wendy Ranck-Buhr. I spent a week applying the grid and tracing the design out on the 108 foot long surface that wrapped around the art room. Together with parent and school volunteers we painted the outlines and children filled in the spaces with vivid colors. The painting of this mural was a fulfillment of a promise I made during the election to take action with my artwork. The phoenix is the mascot of the school and I thought a strong metaphor to express the new spirit of collective change that is sweeping the country. I want to thank all the visionaries who made Phoenix Rising possible especially Allison, Celestina, Steven, Danny, Paul, Candice and the amazing children of the San Diego Cooperative Charter School.

To see a you tube video created by designer/illustrator Steven Morris about the mural please go to this link: Phoenix Rising Mural

Please be sure to click on Older Posts and check out the paintings I created for Oprah Winfrey's school in South Africa.

Linking children to books, languages and cultures

2009-03-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to share the release of my latest children's book-Book Fiesta written by the award winning author Pat Mora and published by Harper Collins. Pat is the author and founder of the family literacy initiative El día de los libros; Children's Day/Book Day. In my native Mexico we celebrate the day of the child on April 30 and I am proud to contribute my artwork to support the idea that children and books need to be connected.
This past month I had the privilege to speak to educators at the University of Arizona in Tucson with another amazing collaborator, writer Pam Muñoz Ryan. It was energizing to see the excitement of new and experienced teachers for books and our event culminated with a wonderful group of musicians-children from a local school who played and sang mariachi music.
I was honored to participate in the 2009 NAIS-National Association for Independent Schools Conference that brought together 3500 educators and administrators in Chicago. I had the great opportunity to create 3 paintings for the keynote speaker Oprah Winfrey and her schools in South Africa. I greatly admire her passion for books as she has done such important work to promote literacy in our country. We also shared our enthusiasm for President Barack Obama.
On the drawing board right now is a new mural for the San Diego Cooperative Charter School. We look forward to painting it this May with children, parents and teachers.

It happened in my lifetime.

2009-01-24T19:51:00.001-08:00

Imagine the adventure of connecting with 1.8 million others from around the globe who for a moment in time were not strangers but the closest of friends. We stood shoulder to shoulder and I thank all who believed and made this day happen. Despite the cold and the size of the crowd it was absolute silence when President Obama spoke.

"What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility-a recognition on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task"

I want to thank Shepard and Yosi for inviting me to be part of Manifest Hope DC and for recognizing the importance of art to promote social and political change. Abrazos to Chef Jose Andres for his hospitality and for inviting me to his restaurants and into his home to raise funds for DC Central Kitchen. Gracias to all the campaign workers and to those who sent emails and took the time to connect with me while in Washington. On every corner I met people ready to begin this important work and I am fired up. I know we can do it and we will.

To read more please click on this link: Older posts

UNIDAD

2008-11-09T20:38:00.001-08:00

It's difficult to find the words to describe the moment that went round the world when all our hopes became a reality. I felt unity with friends and the amazing people we have met through supporting this movement for change.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who stood in long lines to vote, who knocked on doors, who called, who marched, who emailed, who put up posters, made stickers, buttons and t-shirts, who did all they could to make this change a reality. It has been an incredible experience to connect with people around this country who realize nuestra voz counts. That new spirit felt round the world is indeed a voz unida.

As I listened to the words of President Elect Obama from Grant Park I heard a call to action:

"So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other".
Barack Obama said "this victory alone is not the change we seek it is only the chance for us to make that change".

The change we seek won't happen overnight and government alone can't do the job. UNIDAD means unity and I'm hoping we all take that spirit, that energy we put into this election and do something right where we live in support of our new President.
Read to children at a local school, plant trees, make time to volunteer in your neighborhood for a cause you believe in. Channel your own gifts and abilities to solve the social, environmental, political and economic issues that hold us back. In the spirit of unidad I commit myself to painting a mural with students, parents and teachers at a public school. I hope to hear from others about their plans to make a difference so let's roll up our sleeves.

Inspired by these times and in celebration of the inauguration of the 44th President Barack Obama I am turning again to my paintbrushes with a new poster UNIDAD.

OBAMA Nuestra Voz

2008-09-29T10:01:00.001-07:00

www.rafaellopez.com

For Latino Heritage month I wanted to create a poster celebrating Barack Obama that I hope will speak to fellow Latinos about a man I believe has vision and leadership. The piece is painted on a piece of wood that has been sanded as I wanted it to be textural with authentic cultural iconography. Hearing him speak I keep thinking to myself here is someone I can relate to, someone who can be a genuine voice for the issues we face in America and around the world.
Nuestra Voz.

I paint it for my young son Santiago as Obama represents the hope I have for his future. For my wife who teaches at San Diego City College, an urban community college and for her students because Obama knows that education is the open door that changes lives and he will make it a priority. Both my parents were born in Mexico and were architects and teachers who taught me to be a world citizen. I believe this nation is part of a global community and Obama can change the negative perceptions that cloud the future as he is a man of ideas who values and understands the social, economic and cultural issues of our time.

It is my hope that people will use the image to reach out to Latinos and others. We need to get everyone registered to vote so their voice can be heard as there is a bilingual voter registration site at www.voteforchange.com that is easy to use. Barack Obama is the son of immigrants and shares the values of our Latino community. I'm counting on others to use the image to spread the word that Obama speaks for us. PLEASE USE THE NUESTRA VOZ IMAGE IN ANY WAY YOU CAN TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN.

UPDATE: You can view the official poster I created VOZ UNIDA for ARTISTS FOR OBAMA at the Obama/Biden website at
http://store.barackobama.com/Artists_for_Obama_s/1018.htm
I'm happy to report that it quickly sold out and raised $60,000 for the final push to election day.

These last days before the election are critical so please step up and do your part by telling anyone you know to order a poster. We are still actively sending posters to campaign workers in swing states. Posters have already gone out to Colorado, Florida, Ohio, New Mexico and Nevada. If you are a campaign worker or supporter who can help us get out the Latino vote who needs posters please email me via my website at www.rafaellopez.com

If you have a moment check out this great video for inspiration and spread the word...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ycu0sy5RW8&feature=related

Postal stamps

2008-09-28T11:06:00.001-07:00

I illustrated these postal stamps for the USPS in 2007 and 2005 working with talented designer Ethel Kessler. What an honor it was to work on an image for such an important legal issue as equality in education. Mendez et al. v. Westmnster was a World War II-era legal case in which a group of civic-minded parents in California successfully sued to end segregation based on national origin in their schools and set a precedent for Brown vs. Board of Education. The stamp commemorated the 60th anniversary of the event and I was able to visit the public school named in honor of this brave family.
I'm passionate about Latin jazz and what a thrill it was to create the merengue stamp as I had been dancing it for many years. I tried to evoke the nuances of the couple's sideways hip movement as they hold each other tightly and glide together. The tropical foilage and flower in the woman's hair are a tribute to a time when plantation workers who couldn't hold evening parties took dance breaks out in the fields. The tambora drum reminded me of the African beat of the dance.
Thanks to the USPS for the photos of the release celebrations in Miami and Orange County, California.