A Secret Ingredient: Our Interests

I met Rafa through mutual friends. We met at Sandro's wedding, bandera, Harligen Art Night, Michel's solo exhibition at the UTRGV Brownsville. Wherever I see Rafa, I see my friends. Wherever I see my friends I see Rafa. It's interested how we intertwine as creatives, artists or through just similar interests. I love little critters and my slight fascination of Kaiju's.

As someone "soft spoken" and "shy" - seeing Rafa's work is a reminder to me on the way we implement our hobbies/interests/ourselves into our work. It's a way of expression, but we shall see what Rafa has to say.

Before we dive in here are a few shout outs from Rafa "I’d like to give a shout-out to my mother and father. Without their support and lessons, I wouldn’t be an artist. I’d also like to give a shout-out to my best friends, Enrique, Amy, Yvette, Andy, Sandro, Clarissa, and Isa. Shoutout to everyone who ever taught me a lesson. Lastly, shout-out to all my supporters. I could give so many names, but if you have ever spent your valuable time talking with me, bought a piece, or encouraged me to keep going, you’re in that list. Thank you all for keeping my spirit alive."

Self Portrait

Who is the 6foot4eyes? What could you tell us about your art work and what it means to you?

"6foot4eyes is a name I came up with for multiple reasons. One; Because I wanted a cool name, who doesn’t? Two; Yes, I wear glasses. Three; Being a giant amongst others ever since I was a kid. Being a big person has always been emphasized even if I didn’t want it to define me. Growing up as a big man that looks down on everyone, I felt like an alien, especially as a softspoken kid. It’s because of this that I would just stick to my own self. Naturally, I got attracted to picking up a pencil and start sketching any chance I got. I used to make 'art' with the mentality that I wasn’t an artist. I wasn’t trying to say anything. Drawing was just a way of escaping reality and expressing my thoughts and emotions with lines and color. The core purpose never changed, I still illustrate things that fascinate me and stimulate creativity, but I also have learned to say things in my works and being comfortable presenting them to others, and it’s because I am being heard. It doesn’t matter if I’m being political or just having fun with my drawings and prints. People see my work and they put it on their wall. They show it to others. They ask about the meaning behind the work. They ask who inspired me. They criticize. They cheer me on and they show up for me. The way I see it, my art is a vehicle towards connection with others, ironically in contrast from what it was in the beginning of the journey." What's cool is the "I also have learned to say things in my works and being comfortable presenting them to others" which calls to folks who have similar interests, that speaks out to them, but to make it "simpler" it makes a message connecting to a viewer, but whether or not there is a "message" isn't a concern. Who doesn't just want to share their art?

The Beast From Boca Chica

Looking at your work - I love when personal interests embody art work - for example Godzilla in two of your pieces in retaliation of Space x/Tesla. What was the push to merge these together to create the pieces?

"There was one point in which a question came to mind when I pondered on the first drawing (The Beast from Boca Chica).

Does art imitate life (Mimesis) or does life imitate art (Anti-Mimesis)?

They both happen obviously, but I would have to say most of the time it’s Mimesis. Godzilla is an example of that. He was an allegory for the nuclear bomb attacks on Japan during WWII. He is vengeance towards man and his destructive technology that is only self-serving for the user, not humanity as a whole. We are so unfit to wield uncontrollable power because at the end we tend to hurt ourselves and our home. I saw a connection between that and what is happening with Space-X in the RGV."

I actually did not know that about Godzilla. I've watched some of the films and have been fascinated by some of the designs. Now seeing the connection created by Rafa....fuck. That's wild! In my view the piece goes hard in general.

Taking a few more moments to look into the piece...the details go off. Always seeing this piece at markets or at Cactus. It never struck me that the spines are actually nopales? Man. I can't imagine how Manny reacted first seeing this!

Rafa continues by saying,

"Elon Musk did what the typical Billionaire does; hurting millions of people in order to be the guy with the most loaded pockets in the room. Starbase was greenlit in Boca Chica Beach by waving money in the faces of our local politicians and the promise that his presence would benefit us all. People have been misplaced, beaches have been closed off, the environment has become hazardous for our species, debris and contamination floats in our waters, and a big wave of gentrification is invading to our area. They destroy. Anti-Mimesis. They are using our land as a playground for their rockets that do anything but work properly and blow up right in front of our faces. And so, I felt that urge to produce something that was a reflection of my thoughts. Space-X is the monster that must be stopped, and how can we when they are such an unstoppable force compared to our city?

Step On It or Step Off

When I did the second piece (Step On it or Step Off), Musk had power within the white house and helped pave the way towards the destructive chaos that has been the 2nd Trump term. Riots and the destructions' of his Tesla Cybertrucks were at an all time high, and I wanted to express the rage in the best way I could. I also made this piece because while most people understood the message and showed love for my first illustration, some were confused and even thought I was endorsing what Starbase was doing. I decided to make it a little more crystal clear of how I felt about Musk and his overall presence in our lives."

What do you think about this blend of the hobbies/interests in art used to portray messaging as he exclaims

"I enjoy it. Not everyone is going to dig it, especially some people within the traditional artist community that tend to say 'Do not do pop culture' or 'Do not do fan art'. I don’t always include it in my art, but I can’t act like pop culture isn’t present in my life. I like it, and so does the majority of the world in the 21st century. I don’t think you can escape it in a capitalist society, and especially if you are an artist. No matter what, it influences us, whether it’s the literature, fashion, music, movies, video games, or television we grew up with.

Do not get it twisted; As an artist, your voice still has to be there. Pop culture is simply an ingredient for whatever you are cooking up. Those two pieces I made were unique to the eyes of the people who have seen hundreds of artworks of the same radioactive lizard. There is a bigger point than to just make a copy of something already known. You have to express, add your unique touch, and your present your identity. That’s what I tell myself as an artist." Hmmmm "pop culture is simply an ingredient" is an interesting way to put it. Yes, I agree. Make it unique. It brought me back to one of the stickers I bought from Enrique. It was Snoopy and Woodstock, but Aztec? I have bought a couple of these and given them out. I find it refreshing on how things like this makes someones art distinguishable. Why yes it could be called "fan art", but it goes beyond a stretch becoming even "niche" especially to ones interests and if people understand. Even if they don't understand you made something that simply you think to yourself "yeah, this is it."

I see pen/marker/linoleum as various mediums used in your posts - with the details captured - I can't imagine how focused you gotta be to get it done. What about pen/marker that calls to you? As he says

"I like multiple mediums because I decided to partake in many when I went to art school. Not everything is necessarily my cup of tea but I can say I’m not a stranger to painting, digital art, sculpture, and ceramics. I mostly stick to drawing and printmaking. Sometimes I want to carve and ink up a linoleum block. Other times I just want to pencil sketch random ideas, and sometimes I want to experiment with mixed media. Pen and marker are what I have used most recently because I enjoy the sharpness and detail I can achieve with it. It requires a lot of focus, and at times I could be impatient with it, but it is rewarding. I also use Prismacolor, which are excellent at blending and have included in works like ARACHNIDE 01 & ARACHNIDE 02."

While learning and partaking in various mediums due to being a workshop organizer. There's artists out there who are doing things I want to bring forward. I want to learn to use spray cans or the cool markers you smack to tag. That's so sick! I actually have not done a linoleum block...

What other mediums would you like to experiment with?

"I would like to do acrylic painting, I have only ever used oil in the past, which I would like to get back to do as well, especially for larger works. One other medium I would like to include in my portfolio is collage. Having to scavenge for really good pieces in books and magazines is probably the most fun process I’ve had with any medium. I would also like to include photography as well and experiment with the combination of reality with fiction. There is a lot of different directions I can go, and that is what keeps things interesting in the creative space."

Hmmmm collage with specific finds to collage with? Imagining that right now. Fuuccck even sewing collage? I'm imagining the other possibilities with collage. I love collage especially the process.

When I approach your booth – I always see bugs/insects, but rather hmm beetles? What’s your interest in these critters?

"Insects most alien thing I interact with in nature. There is just something about these exoskeletal beings with multiple legs that amazes me. Part of it is probably how intelligent they are when you see their self-preserving methods, their stages of growth, how they disappear, and their contribution to earth. The other part is probably how unforgiving they can be. You will see torture methods, cannibalism, self-sacrificing acts for the survival of their offspring, and fights to the death in seconds. It is both beautiful and horrifying, and I can say that about their behavior and appearance." Especially have they have their own hierarchies, ways of life, roles, adaptations ect ect it's so cool, but as Rafa mentions they are a mix. My interest in bugs came from Animal Crossing New Leaf. The depiction of bugs/insects is always a nuisance in video games or an "enemy", but there is beauty in their "horror." I've been seeing bug ceramics and short films in my feed as of recently. It's amazing. Next time I see one, I'll share em with you.

What are your thoughts on the local art scene?

I love our local art scene here in the 956. It is alive, it is growing, and we have something truly special here. I’m not saying it out of pure bias just because I’m representing where I’m from. People in the past have said that there is nothing here for an artist to make it and that we have to leave and participate elsewhere. At one point, I did believe that because it was echoed over and over. If you truly believe there is nothing here, you’re not looking in the right places. You need to support the local artists not just financially but also showing up to our exhibits. Because we are there and we kick ass, the proof is in places and the names. Check out Annebrije Studios. Check out La Tijera in downtown Brownsville, just recently they had a jam-packed opening reception for a group show. Check out the San Benito Cultural Arts museum exhibits, Ray Smith has a solo show right there right now. Check out what Cactus Valley has in store; my best friend Enrique Palacios should have a solo exhibit up by the time you read this. Check out the Flower Shop Art Studio, they have residencies every year. We artists have markets and pop ups every month and promote it on our social media, so you can’t miss it whether you want to apply as a vendor or want to connect with other creatives and learn how to run a business. If you think the grass is greener on the other side, you need to stop that mentality help us rake and cultivate our pasture here.

I love all the 956 artists I’ve had the pleasure rubbing elbows with. You guys inspire me, and give hope to our region’s creatives now and future creatives. With time and dedication, there is nowhere to go but up for us. It’s not always easy, but keep it up and you will be alright.

Any final comments you'd like to make?

I don’t have much else at the end so I’ll just say a few more things on the way out. ICE OUT. Impeach the president. VOTE. Speak your mind. Never stop creating. Stay in touch with your friends and family. Stay hydrated.