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Rafael BlancoRafael BlancoRafael Blanco
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Rafael Blanco
Aurora, IL
"The most essential pieces of art were created out of necessity."
Originally from Alicante, Spain, I was classically trained as a classical painter. I have been creating public art since 2014, and I have been trying to bring some of the methods and studio techniques to large scale mural painting. I received an MFA in Painting & Drawing from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013, and I'm currently a full-time art professor at Elmhurst College, IL.Wescover creator since 2019
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Q&A
How do your pieces come to life? Tell us one interesting thing about your creative process?
"When I paint murals I tend to paint from sunrise to sunset without long breaks. I snack in between, but I don't eat until I'm done for the day. I tend to finish big scale murals in few days and people tend to think I work really fast. The truth is that I'm not that quick. I start setting up while is still dark, so as soon as the sun is coming up I'm at the site, ready to start painting all day."
Rafael BlancoQ&A
What do you want people to do or feel when they encounter your creations?
"Nowadays any reaction would do! We have so much visual information that we are visually numbed. We are constantly reading through images in our phones, computers, tv, billboards, etc.
I try to confront people with murals that would be difficult to ignore. I want to grasp their attention, even if it is for a couple seconds. I want them to realize I'm not selling anything through the work. The mural is there as a visual gift, hopefully to inspire people in any way possible."
I try to confront people with murals that would be difficult to ignore. I want to grasp their attention, even if it is for a couple seconds. I want them to realize I'm not selling anything through the work. The mural is there as a visual gift, hopefully to inspire people in any way possible."
Rafael BlancoQ&A
What funny moments, unexpected surprises, or obstacles have you encountered?
"Each mural is a different and creates a unique experience. I have encountered many obstacles while creating every single one of them, and even though they teach you invaluable lessons, you encounter new ones.
One moment I will never forget was the day I finished transforming an incredibly ugly wall of a trash compactor site into a painting. That day I realized the incredible power of public art and the effect that could have on perception and human experience."
One moment I will never forget was the day I finished transforming an incredibly ugly wall of a trash compactor site into a painting. That day I realized the incredible power of public art and the effect that could have on perception and human experience."
Rafael Blanco