Dreams power
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| © RAQUEL DIAZ |
Spanish artist Raquel Díaz is a self-thought creator currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The idea that art is something alive in continuous evolution is evident in the creations of Raquel Díaz. The feeling of fragility inherent in life is inevitable. One feels the ephemeral nature of our existence, of the characters portrayed, in each of their strokes. There is also a sense of urgency, from which perhaps that fragility arises. The instant and its capture, catch life now and here, making her art unique and vibrant.
What does art mean to you?
Personally speaking, art, painting concretely, is my best voice, the best way I express myself and communicate my inner world and the outer world that surrounds me.
In a general sense, I look at creative expressions as the best manifestation of the spirit, the human soul.
To me, art is a mirror that never lies, art dignifies life, art gives people the courage to go on by acquiring a better understanding of the unspoken sensitive reality that can not be thought but felt, art gives humankind hope to search further into the feeling of being alive opening a door of question into the individual’s own existence.
When did you decide to express yourself through painting?
I didn’t decide it. I started drawing and painting as a little girl, I think it was my natural response of trying to find a different way of expressing myself. I always thought that words could not express it all. Growing up I spent a lot of time alone, observing things and people. I realized how misleading and frustrating conversations can be when you rely on words to express different dimensions of yourself and life. Language is a man-made thing that works on the surface of understanding and comprehension. Communication requires a deeper connection of expression. How many times have you heard: “That’s not what I mean..” or “ I don’t find the words” or “ Forget it.. You don’t understand what I am saying”. There are countless of these common phrases that people say all the time, which to me proves the fact that language isn’t enough.
How is your creative process?
My creative process is my living process. All my inspiration comes from different perceptions of life. My working process is the expression of that living process which is done in a quite spontaneous way too.
Is there any space for improvisation?
Improvisation is everything to me as I don’t believe anything ever goes according to plan. Improvisation plays a big role in my work as well as in my life.
Why is people your main source of inspiration?
Actually, people aren’t necessarily my main source of inspiration, life is. A painted figure might not be a person to me, even though for most viewers it is a very recognizable figure, but that’s just the obviousness of it. Anything can be something else, it all depends on the eye of the beholder. I am not trying to neglect the obvious but rather overstep it.
First artist I think of when I see your work is James Ensor. What are you main influences?
I believe Ensor’s work and mine are different especially when you look at the whole body of work I have done so far and his body of work but looking at the narrative work I am currently working on I do see the satirical sense in common.
Regardless, I love the work of James Ensor and is a great honor to hear that my work makes you think of his.
About main influences, as I said before, life is my source of inspiration. I like to pay close attention to the oddness of it and I often find myself looking at the unusual one, whether a person, an object, an animal... I feel definitely attracted to the different.
What role does art play in society?
I believe art to be the grounding base of society. Art to me is like the waves that naturally give movement to the ocean and keep the vastness of it flowing. Art reveals the unseen reality.
And you, what do you look for in arts?
I am always looking into the new work I am doing at the present moment, that’s my main concern.
However, inwardly, I always felt that I had the responsibility to make my mark meaningful and by mark I mean the impact that everybody has in the world, whether you want it or not, everybody is going to leave a mark, a trace.
In my case, I am delivering it through my artwork. And so when I will be gone, I would like my exhausted body to be able to rest in peace because I made of this world a more inspiring place.
What are your future projects?
The month of December I will have the opening of a solo show in a two story Art Gallery in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn that will exhibit my current work on one floor and work from the Art Movement ‘Dripping Illusionism’ on the lower one.
Regarding 2020, I will continue working hard and will open up a few shows with new work. On the other hand, I have been writing a book for some years now that I would like to publish in the coming time.
Could you explain us a dream you had while sleeping?
That’s an interesting question. For a long time I either stopped having dreams or I wasn’t able to remember them when I woke up. Quite recently I reconnected into it again and I dreamt a beautiful dream with one of the most vivid images of my grandfather who has been a very important person in my life.
I believe in the power of dreams as a very inspiring source that nourishes my imagination. Now, sometimes I wake up after having a dream and I draw it on paper, it’s a wonderful feeling.
An interview by Juan Carlos Romero
Photo and artwork by © Raquel Díaz
For further information about the artist
www.raqueldiazrq.com
All rights reserved
Personally speaking, art, painting concretely, is my best voice, the best way I express myself and communicate my inner world and the outer world that surrounds me.
In a general sense, I look at creative expressions as the best manifestation of the spirit, the human soul.
To me, art is a mirror that never lies, art dignifies life, art gives people the courage to go on by acquiring a better understanding of the unspoken sensitive reality that can not be thought but felt, art gives humankind hope to search further into the feeling of being alive opening a door of question into the individual’s own existence.
When did you decide to express yourself through painting?
I didn’t decide it. I started drawing and painting as a little girl, I think it was my natural response of trying to find a different way of expressing myself. I always thought that words could not express it all. Growing up I spent a lot of time alone, observing things and people. I realized how misleading and frustrating conversations can be when you rely on words to express different dimensions of yourself and life. Language is a man-made thing that works on the surface of understanding and comprehension. Communication requires a deeper connection of expression. How many times have you heard: “That’s not what I mean..” or “ I don’t find the words” or “ Forget it.. You don’t understand what I am saying”. There are countless of these common phrases that people say all the time, which to me proves the fact that language isn’t enough.
How is your creative process?
My creative process is my living process. All my inspiration comes from different perceptions of life. My working process is the expression of that living process which is done in a quite spontaneous way too.
Is there any space for improvisation?
Improvisation is everything to me as I don’t believe anything ever goes according to plan. Improvisation plays a big role in my work as well as in my life.
Why is people your main source of inspiration?
Actually, people aren’t necessarily my main source of inspiration, life is. A painted figure might not be a person to me, even though for most viewers it is a very recognizable figure, but that’s just the obviousness of it. Anything can be something else, it all depends on the eye of the beholder. I am not trying to neglect the obvious but rather overstep it.
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| God’s eye Original Painting by Raquel Díaz Mix Media on Canvas 48 in x 60 in / 121 cm x 152 cm © RAQUEL DIAZ |
First artist I think of when I see your work is James Ensor. What are you main influences?
I believe Ensor’s work and mine are different especially when you look at the whole body of work I have done so far and his body of work but looking at the narrative work I am currently working on I do see the satirical sense in common.
Regardless, I love the work of James Ensor and is a great honor to hear that my work makes you think of his.
About main influences, as I said before, life is my source of inspiration. I like to pay close attention to the oddness of it and I often find myself looking at the unusual one, whether a person, an object, an animal... I feel definitely attracted to the different.
What role does art play in society?
I believe art to be the grounding base of society. Art to me is like the waves that naturally give movement to the ocean and keep the vastness of it flowing. Art reveals the unseen reality.
And you, what do you look for in arts?
I am always looking into the new work I am doing at the present moment, that’s my main concern.
However, inwardly, I always felt that I had the responsibility to make my mark meaningful and by mark I mean the impact that everybody has in the world, whether you want it or not, everybody is going to leave a mark, a trace.
In my case, I am delivering it through my artwork. And so when I will be gone, I would like my exhausted body to be able to rest in peace because I made of this world a more inspiring place.
What are your future projects?
The month of December I will have the opening of a solo show in a two story Art Gallery in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn that will exhibit my current work on one floor and work from the Art Movement ‘Dripping Illusionism’ on the lower one.
Regarding 2020, I will continue working hard and will open up a few shows with new work. On the other hand, I have been writing a book for some years now that I would like to publish in the coming time.
Could you explain us a dream you had while sleeping?
That’s an interesting question. For a long time I either stopped having dreams or I wasn’t able to remember them when I woke up. Quite recently I reconnected into it again and I dreamt a beautiful dream with one of the most vivid images of my grandfather who has been a very important person in my life.
I believe in the power of dreams as a very inspiring source that nourishes my imagination. Now, sometimes I wake up after having a dream and I draw it on paper, it’s a wonderful feeling.
An interview by Juan Carlos Romero
Photo and artwork by © Raquel Díaz
For further information about the artist
www.raqueldiazrq.com
All rights reserved