Artist statement:

As we grow up, society isolates us to only see what’s in front of us rather than what isn’t. Art impacted me at a young age because it kept me in tune with my imagination and the infinite possibilities behind what I could create. What first took form in crayons evolved into markers. This later evolved into colored pencils, paint, ink, and pretty much any medium I could get exposed to.

Years of exploration has brought me to a heightened interest for hyper/photorealism large-scaled work where the subject is experienced through a new perspective. It’s a very literal form of art in the sense that you know exactly what you are looking at. My drawings are a magnification of each subject and a tribute to its story and how it may relate to you. However, I typically don’t just reproduce an item as is but instead, add a twist by modifying its qualities like deforming it, making it out of paint, or combining it with another item that may be outside what we’re used to. We’re all familiar with items and relate to them based on our own experiences and how their story has been told to us. My work hopes to surprise you with a new narrative on the subject and provide you with a unique experience than how you are accustomed to seeing it.

My practice is straightforward- I select and take hundreds of photographs of the subject until I have a reference I’m happy with. I make a light outline in pencil, and then carefully and meticulously render its details with a ton of colored pencils emphasizing lighting, shadows, and textures to create a clearer view of the object you haven’t experienced before. All drawings are original and take anywhere from 50-200+ hours to complete. I want to bring joy to the viewer but also leave them captivated at how it came to be.

I’m deeply inspired by artists like CJ Hendry, Banksy, Alessandro Paglia, and Greg “Craola” Simkins.

I appreciate your support and invite you to explore my art with the hope it inspires you while also challenging your perspective.

Stay Creative.

-Rafa Ovelar