Exploring the street art of San Francisco

Spent several amazing days in San Francisco documenting street art.

This beautiful mural in the Mission District beckoned me to return to the studio. I painted a series of Saint portraits for Loyola Press, followed by a personal piece fueled by the textures of the city.

Pumpkin Carving 2013

Santiago Celebrando el Día de los Muertos

Nature Watch

Keep close to nature's heart ...and break clear away, once in awhile, climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. -John Muir

I know you haven't heard from me in awhile as I've been spending some much needed time in artistic exile. I've got sketches for two new children's books on my drawing table and boards sanded and ready to paint. I've just completed this poster and web banner for the USDA Nature Watch Program of the United States Forest Service. My artwork was designed to appeal to kids by blending touches of realism with a child's imagination. Now that our parks are again open it seemed the right time to reflect on these national treasures -home to amazing creatures.  Breathtaking places that are an authentic source of pride. In the mid 1800's a group of visionary thinkers believed these treasures could rival the great castles and cathedrals of Europe. One of those idealists was the naturalist John Muir whose poetic voice, like the cry of a falcon reminded us that wild places were essential for the soul.  

He wisely reflected that "The power of imagination makes us infinite".

The King of Mambo arrives on March 5th!

It was serious fun filming this video book trailer for Tito Puente Mambo King/Rey del Mambo at my loft/studio with author Monica Brown. Together we published our very first children's book back in 2004, My Name is Celia/Me Llamo Celia. As you can imagine we put so much passion and effort into it and then we got to actually meet each other at the Pura Belpré honor and Americas Award celebrations. When our initial efforts were recognized it solidified our friendship and launched two new careers in the world of children books.
Reuniting to tell the story of Mambo King Tito Puente has been exciting and in the book trailer we hoped to create a sense of the dance between a writer and artist as the words and images comingle.

I had the great opportunity to create the Latin Music Legend stamp celebrating Tito Puente for the United States Postal Service. During that time I read everything I could find about the godfather of salsa.  I poured over old videos of his exhilarating performances, scanned photos and immersed myself fully into his music.

Tito Puente Jr. at a stamp release celebration

That stamp gave me the chance to meet Tito Puente Jr. and our conversations reinforced my notions of his father's electric personality. I learned that Celia Cruz was his godmother. I showed him the illustrations and genuinely appreciated the support of Tito Puente Jr. for this book " Now his name and likeness will reach a brand new group of young fans who will appreciate his genius and talent".

Before he could walk, Tito was making music. He banged spoons and forks on pots and pans, windowsills and cans.

He was so loud his neighbors in Spanish Harlem said, "Get that boy some Music lessons!" 

On weekends Tito played magical mambos and beautiful cha-chas with different bands at the Palladium Ballroom 

Sketching Tito

He made music with Celia Cruz, Santana and La Lupe.

The dancers twirled, the lights swirled, and the mambo went on and on...

I'm looking forward to connecting with children about Tito's unforgettable legacy and vibrant music.

New Website: All About Books

It's been in the works for over a year. Please check out my new website
Rafael López Books

If you click the images on the homepage it leads you to links. When you select the Books you can view a slide show of book spreads from each title.

Reading Takes You Places! Our California: Read Across America 2013

It's Sunday and I've just arrived home from the California Teachers Association Conference in Los Angeles. Excited that "Our California" is the 2013 Read Across America book and I've created artwork in support of the idea that Reading Takes You Places. If you visit this website you can print ex-libris, bookmarks, state map with reading list and coloring book pages. Tell your kids, grandkids and their teachers!

"The book highlights intersting features or the historical importance of 14 California cities with colorful, evocative and eye filling imagery. Our California is a wonderful way to show children the spirit of California".

The more children read, the better they read. The more they read outside of school, the better they do in school. Help teach children that reading takes you places by surfing waves in San Diego, climbing Half Dome in Yosemite, and seeing the sights of San Francisco by cable car.

Picturing the President: Inauguration Day 2013

In a grassroots effort I painted this portrait of Presidential candidate Barack Obama
in 2008 and together with friends we shipped it to swing states. The image was
popular with field workers who brought it to the attention of the national campaign.
I was asked to create Voz Unida based on this image and it became
an official poster at Artists for Obama.

I will never forget attending the inauguration of President Obama in 2009 and
created this portrait to commemorate the event. It was part of the Manifest Hope
Show in Washington D.C. and Shepard Fairey purchased the original painting.

In 2012 I was honored to participate once again as an Artist for Obama
by the national campaign. My contribution Estamos Unidos targeted the Latino vote.
With permission I printed this poster Adelante. I felt my art coming full circle
when once again we shipped it to the swing states in grassroots support
of President Obama's re-election effort. Today is about celebrating our future.

We head home: through the gloss of rain or weight of snow, or the plum blush of dusk, but always -- home,
always under one sky, our sky. And always one moon
like a silent drum tapping on every rooftop
and every window, of one country -- all of us --
facing the stars
hope -- a new constellation
waiting for us to map it,
waiting for us to name it -- together"

Listen to the powerful words of America's first Latino inaugural poet Richard Blanco. His poem gives tribute to our American experience. In an artist's voice this is a call for unity that will keep our nation moving forward.
One Today by Richard Blanco in the Los Angeles Times.