New Year/ New Website/Blog

As a brand new year is almost here I'm looking forward to making a fresh start with a new website and blog. It's a chance to show my process and latest works in illustration, children's books and murals. Thanks for your support and for checking it out by clicking on the links below.
Rafael López Website
Rafael López Studio Blog

Exploring hidden beaches in Northern California

As the year winds down I've been thinking about wandering. Last month our family drove up the Northern California coastline discovering hidden beaches and 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 caughtup with him, took a deep breath and there was this moment. With his help I connect once again to that part of myself, and of 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 comes with trying to find direction for a new children's book. I'm working on two books this Winter so my mind jumps from one idea to the next. I've come to embrace this time, tune my instincts and simply wonder as I wander. I've discovered that creativity takes discipline as well aslistening to the subtle nuances of your own inner voice. In the chaos of modernlife you realize the importance of practicing solitude.

A solitary dream. I woke up and painted this Arctic whale.

Finding direction for Bravo.

Process painting on wood-searching for direction

Study of Cesar Chavez

Sometimes I like working more traditionally. This was a study on wood of Cesar Chavez for an upcoming book Bravo! written by my friend, the gifted poet Margarita Engle. I ended up creating a more graphic and conceptual approach to the portraits of Latino heroes but this was a great activity to help me find my direction. Our book is due out next year.

Latinos in Kid Lit

Thanks to Latinos in Kid Lit for this great article on Book Fiesta that celebrates Día de los Niños/Children's Day/Book Day. To read the article and see lots of imagery please visit this link: Latinos in Kid Lit

My Tribute to Prince

7 year old Roshini reviews Maybe Something Beautiful

Really enjoyed this review by 7 year old Roshini of Maybe Something Beautiful at Kids Book Buzz 

Sneak Peek: Behind the Scenes Creating Art for Maybe Something Beautiful

Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Young Readers for their recent post about the process of creating art for Maybe Something Beautiful.

In this exuberant picture book about transformation through art, Mira live in a gray urban community until a muralist arrives and, along with his paints and brushes, brings color, joy and hope to the neighborhood. Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation-and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!

Available wherever books are sold on April 12, 2016!

Drum Dream Girl Thank you Video

Wanted to share this thank you video I was asked to make for the American Library Association: Youth Media Awards. GRATEFUL that Drum Dream Girl written by Margarita Engle received the 2016 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration in this the 20th anniversary of the award. Thanks to readers, librarians and teachers for their support of our book.

Diversions

A week I ago I dreamt about this tiger from India and had to wake up early in the morning to paint him.

His face blushing in shame. The temptation proved too strong for Ferdinand the Bull as he munches away at the last flower that bloomed on his hilltop.

After learning that Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma haven't spoken in years, the wolf goes for Plan B. Red however is very clever and decides to shop online.

Artists for Peace

This past month I created this poster as part of the Dialogues: Poster Art of the Soviet Union Show at the City Gallery at San Diego City College. Rare historical Soviet posters from the period of Perestroika and Glasnost were featured alongside contemporary posters with political, social or arts themes with a Russian twist. My poster was about the potential of the arts to promote peace and social change. To craft a culture of peace you have to first imagine it. Artists around the world and throughout history have given voice to that ideal. A sharp pencil can be a powerful weapon to communicate the pathos of war.I’m greatly inspired by folk arts, many of which are living traditions. Birds are a common theme in Russian folklore and this region has a particular gift for storytelling. The folkloric pattern inside the bird represents a diverse patchwork of beliefs and opinions. The colors tip their hat to Russian Constructivism. When creating this poster, the recent peace agreement and conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists was on my mind and in the news. The two leaves symbolize differing points of view with the pencil of the artist providing a stable perch for the idea of peace to take hold. 

You can purchase a 20 by 26 giclee poster for $65 with all funds going to the Doyald Young Reading Room. I am such a believer in books and this design and illustration library at City College is open to students and the community.

Dancers in historical costumes performed barefoot in the gallery at the opening. Photo by Edward Honaker

Photo by David Eichinger

Drum Dream Girl Video Book Trailer

Excited to post the video book trailer for DRUM DREAM GIRL due out March 31, 2015 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. What an opportunity to create this video to share her story. Looking forward to getting our book in the hands of children, teachers and librarians.

Grateful to Margarita Engle for writing this poetic story, inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers in the 1930s.

Looking forward

As a boy I used to read books about distant locations and dream. I count my lucky stars that at an early age my mother encouraged my imagination. Together we ground egg yolks, plants, beets, onions, and oxidized stones with the mortar she used to grind chiles and made pigment. She encouraged me to follow my dream. To paint my entire room using natural colors from the Earth and recreate the tomb of King Tut. All this was accomplished during summer vacation. On a recent visit to my childhood home it was thrilling to find that the vibrant colors are still there.

Now I'm looking forward to the release of our new book celebrating a young dreamer. Targeting kids aged 3-8 our book was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and is set for release this March. Written by Pura Belpré winner and Newberry honoree Margarita Engle this book is inspired by the true story of brave, determined, Millo Castro Zaldarriaga. A courageous Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba's traditional taboo against female drummers. In 1930's Cuba, her passion for drumming opened doors for girls to attain their dreams. These illustrations were created using acrylic paint that I buy in large jars from Mexico on hand-sanded wooden boards.

With this post I wanted to reveal four of the illustrations I crafted to tell Millo's inspirational story. Margarita and I were thrilled that this new book recently received a Kirkus starred review.

and then...she was gone.

more personal work in San Miguel

Seeing Shadows in the Dark

New mural for Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Please click on the mural illustration to view it larger

Brilliant Book Benches

In 1999 I helped create the Benchmark Project in the East Village of San Diego as part of the Urban Art Trail. Here are some of the artistic benches created by local artists that were auctioned off to raise funds for Art Education programs.

I was thrilled to see these beguiling book benches now gracing the streets of London. What an incredible idea to promote literacy by paying tribute to stories like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Pan, Through the Looking Glass and other stories linked to London. The inventive book shaped benches created in connection with Wild in Art by professional illustrators and local artists will be auctioned off in October to raise funds for the National Literacy Trust. Their objective is to build literacy levels for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.  Here are a few photos with thanks to photographers who posted their shots of London on Instagram. To see all the benches visit the Books About Town website.  Brilliant!

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