RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS WITH ~ RAELIS VASQUEZ BY PABLO G. VILLAZAN

We are back with another great session of “Rapid Fire Questions” by League family member - Pablo G. Villazan. Today’s Q&A is with an amazing talented artist by the name of Raelis Vasquez. Vasquez’s paintings are figurative compositions that conjure the complexity of the Afro-Latinx experience.

So, Ready! Set! Gooooooo!

Who is Raelis Vasquez?

I am a Dominican-American artist.

Did you always want to be an artist?

I didn't think about being an artist until the end of high school. I was about 16 years old when I started considering it as a possibility.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I fell into art when I immigrated from the Dominican Republic at 7 years old. I started drawing, I think, as a consequence of that disruptive experience.

Which artists have the greatest influence on your work?

I have contemporary influences, such as Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, and Titus Kaphar. I have old master Influences, such as Velazquez, Rembrandt, Sargent, and Repin.

What is your process to create your work?

I usually work from photographs, either photos I take myself in the US and the Dominican Republic, or old family photos. I tend to use them as a starting point from where to begin having a conversation. I work with acrylic, oil, oil sticks, charcoal, image transfer, and sand.

Imagine that your paintings could talk, what would they say about you?

They would say I spend too much time with them.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Keep doing what you're doing. 

Do you find the social channel’s influence Positive or Negative?

I think they are overall positive. They can create a ridiculous amount of opportunity. And it's a great way to start getting exposure to your work.

Describe in 3 words how social channels affect you as an artist.

Opportunity. Discipline. Exposure.

What is your dream project?

I'm planning it now, but I am not talking about it just yet. I will be starting a big project in about two years that I am very excited and nervous about.