Random Patterns - New Works by Pablito "Raiz" Arroyo
Throughout my life I have always had a deep connection to mountains, being from the Andes, and the ocean, a sacred place where I first admired the constant change and power of nature. All the elements in my paintings are inspired by my sketchbooks and past experiences. This collection started with the idea of comparing a slow spiral of progress in life, and how similar it looks like a repeating loop of the same events. I wanted to explore the process of painting beginning with simple repeating designs. The doodles are inspired by various symbols taken from alchemy, berber culture, and Andean culture loosely interpreted on each painting. From that point I allowed myself to push and pull figurative subjects from the design. Each imagery has deep personal connections to my past, and I wanted the audience to feel the long process of details I applied in a thoughtful application of transparent layers.
I find great satisfaction in depicting a scene where there are elements of natural beauty, cultural myths, and vibrant colors alongside things outside of reality. I am an immigrant from Bolivia and sign my paintings “Raiz” (roots in Spanish) as a reminder of my indigenous roots and the connection to creative spirits.
Tap Tap Tap
Acrylic on Canvas
60" x 48"
Inspired by time spent in Portland Oregon, this painting began with a slow process of explorative brush strokes of vibrant colors loosely inspired by patterns seen in indigenous textiles. The character in the painting is based on a talented typewriter poet who traveled the world street performing her poetry and now resides in Portland. I lived many years as a traveling mural artist and street performer. Meeting this poet was a reminder of all the depth that comes from the artistic mind into one moment to quickly inspire the people around us, and just like a well trained dancer. The act of compressing years of practice, success and failures into one moment of beautiful creation to be appreciated by a small audience.
$1,600.00
On Top
Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
48" x 60"
As an immigrant I always resonated with wings, birds, and the freedom in the ability to fly away. The wings of the figure are based on the Andean Condor, a nod to my origins. Since I left La Paz, Bolivia, a high, mountainous city in the Andes, I always remember the landscape I left behind. I constantly look for them. The hats on the finches are a reference to the ornate boulder hats Andean women wear as a form of status, dating back to when the first Italians came to Bolivia finding difficulty selling their fashion. Their business was saved by the Andean women known now now as Cholas. This urban revival of Andean fashion is now referred to as "Cholet" reaching all the way into the architecture of new buildings of the Altiplano. The sleeping tiger is a symbol of the exotic and dangerous depths the Andean people have overcome through many generations. Despite there aren't traditional tigers in Bolivia, jaguars are commonly known as "tigres" to locals.
$1,500.00
High Tide
Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
48" x 60"
The ocean has been a point of inspiration for myself since an early age. The long process of push and pull with spraypaint and acrylic paint in thin layers was an expression of the frustrations I have felt knowing of the many perils the oceans of the world face due to contamination. The various elements in the painting are based on my time as a diver and the time I spent sketching the horizon on sunsets of long summer days in Oceania and South East Asia. Since I can remember I was obsessed with underwater bubbles. I endlessly swam deep into the ocean and followed my own breathe up to the surface, amazed by the light dancing in the spheres.
$1,500.00
City Life
Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
24" x 48"
The surreal depiction of an urban city has been an ongoing theme in my work for many years. The smoking frog is a surreal depiction of the combination of nature and toxins that make up an urban environment. Turtles have always been a symbol of safety and home throughout my life, going all the way back to the myth of Turtle Island. The anthropomorphism of the bird is a further nod to the disfunction of nature and urban life coexisting. This painting began as a large layer of loose patterns inspired by indigenous textiles from the andes and berber culture and then layered with a push and pull of light and movement.
$650.00
Left Over
Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
24" x 48"
The vibrant movement of colors are a symbol of constant change in life. The contrast of the very active ravens on the counter to the distracted spectator is inspired by my time at Eddie's Cafe. A long time diner of San Francisco where there are always a million things happening and with few people noticing. The painting is a mixture of layers of spraypaint and acrylic paint, creating a unique texture as they each fight to stay on top of each other. The figure is based on a dear friend who is in the process of becoming someone amazing.
$650.00
Jus Hangin'
Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas
20" x 16"
The feeling of being out in the city has always been a surreal experience for myself. The glares and streaks of the light are hypnotic. There has been many moments where it felt like the streets and buildings were swimming with color as I found myself in complete joy to be part of the moment. There are countless fond memories of enduring a cold night with friends doing nothing more than enjoying each other's company over some drinks. This has happened throughout my life and through the many cities I have lived in. The colors are inspired by my over imaginative way of remembering the moments I've had.
$550.00
No Worries
Acrylic on Canvas
20" x 16"
There are stacks of sketchbooks I have filled with memories of my observations as I have moved through various cities. This painting was inspired solely by my sketches as I passed through many cafe's, laundromats and lookouts. The main vision was the idea of capturing a moment of magic in a mundane setting. The painting was done in many layers of transparent washes of acrylic paint slowly built up into glowing buildings and figures.
$550.00
Unclownin
Acrylic on Canvas
14" x 11"
Clownfish have been an ongoing character in my mural work for many years. I first saw these beauties in the Great Barrier Reef off the Australian coast. They are a symbol of life and healthy reef. These little creatures are amongst few fish who can life so close to the anemones of a reef, gaining the nickname "Nemo" amongst the diver community. This painting is the first of a two part diptych loosely showing these creatures in the surreal freedom of the ocean.
$225.00
Clownin
Acrylic on Canvas
14" x 11"
This painting is the second of a two part diptych loosely showing these creatures in the surreal freedom of the ocean. I have worked clownfish into my murals for many years. I first saw these beauties in the Great Barrier Reef off the Australian coast. They are a symbol of life and healthy reef. These little creatures are amongst few fish who can life so close to the anemones of a reef, gaining the nickname "Nemo" amongst the diver community. They live in pairs for life and are rarely seen solitare.
$225.00
Ekeko Moderno
Acrylic on Canvas
11" x 14"
ORIGINAL SOLD
PRINTS AVAILABLE 8" x 10"
The Ekeko is a pre-columbian Andean deity. The modern take of the Ekeko is a man who travels the Andes with a backpack full of the things people wish to have in their lives. There are many traditions where people have small statues of the Ekeko in the Andes where they offer a cigarette to the statue in hopes of receiving the things they seek to have. This interpretation blends the colors and design of Andean culture with more columbian inspired designs and architectures.
$20.00
Rainy Picnic
Acrylic on Wood
8"x8"
A gestorial painting exploring the many faces of the frustrations felt by trying to coexist between nature and a diverse community constantly redefining itself. The directions of the strokes are purposefully fighting each other for dominance of the painting to show the internal conflict of the subject.
$200.00