An Emerging Talent Raul Colmenares came away with the Best of Show award at the City of Ocala and Magnolia Art Xchange's third annual Student and Emerging Artist Competition.
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he 2019 Emerging Artist Competition theme was “Illusion and Reality” and 24-year old artist Raul Colmenares rose to the challenge with his dynamic painting, Gratia Vitae. Budding artists from ages 16 to 30 entered the competition for the opportunity of winning prizes and gaining acclaim. This was not Colmenares’ first attempt. Last year, he entered the competition and did not win—but for many, it is their first venture into the professional arts. Hopefuls must submit quality images of their artwork, create artist statements, price their work, get the piece ready for display, and make sure to meet the competition deadlines. This meaningful experience has helped catapault some artists to the next level in their creative career.
Q & A with Raul Colmenares
What was the inspiration for Gratia Vitae? Gratia vitae is Latin for “Roads of Grace.” It’s about the question, “What is the best choice?” While pondering that, I found grace—because the best things do not come from the choice itself, but by me giving my best to it. The name also takes inspiration from the ancient proverb “All roads lead to Rome.” Tell us about your process in creating Gratia Vitae. I looked at how every
aspect of the paint had a relationship and resonated with everything else in the piece, like a biome in nature. My process was about me finding those relationships instead of focusing on a technique. I purchased fish and took many photos of them. I tested everything and then by process of elimination, only kept the things that worked with each other.
What has the experience of being in the Emerging Artist competition, both last year and winning Best of Show this year, been like? Last year,
I got to see all my expectations put down. It was bitter, but great at the same time. I realized that my curiosity for learning always overshadows my expectations and that’s what I focused on this year: my curiosity instead of my expectations. What goals do you have for yourself as a professional artist? I want to
create imagery that moves people to growth and understanding. I’m working on painting to make that happen and I can see it evolving into many different things.
What art/artists inspire you most and why? Is a tree, a bird, or the sky art
or an artist? Same with us, are we the art or the artist? I think everything is art and I’m inspired by everything and everybody. That’s why I paint about grace, choice, or gravity, because they shape all there is. That gives me the freedom to use any subject as an introduction for larger topics. For commissions and informaiton: Instagram: @vxlllq Email: raulcolmenares.vxlllq@gmail.com
ALL WINNERS OF THE 2019 EMERGING ARTIST COMPETITION: Raul Colmenares Best of Show
Daniel Santiago 1st Place, 18-24
Eileen Chong 2nd Place, 18-24
Brittany Iverson 3rd Place, 18-24
Kyle Corley
1st Place, 25-30
Ali Graves
2nd Place, 25-30
Nick Luongo 3rd Place, 25-30
Juan Hurtado
1st Place, High School
Gabriela Cortes
2nd Place, High School
Parker Durant
2nd Place, High School
Raul Colmenares and 2019 judge, Jane Ferry, Curator of Education, Orlando Museum of Art
MAY 2019 | OCALAMAGAZINE.COM |
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