Werk Harder | Artist Raul Gonzalez: Neighborhoods: Drawings/Murals & Prints

Neighborhoods

To highlight what is often overlooked.

I wanted to capture places in a city that are full of character. Each city is full of places that are considered local gems. Each city has places that only certain neighborhoods are familiar with. And there are millions of people who add to each neighborhood's character. "Neighborhoods" is a sub-series to a larger body of work. It focuses on places that I have grown up with or have come across as an adult. I wanted to capture bits and pieces of three cities; Houston, San Antonio and Chicago. I grew up and spent much of my adult life in Houston. I recently moved to San Antonio to pursue my Masters of Fine Arts at UTSA. And Chicago, I have only visited once, but I see myself spending more time there in the future.

Throughout this series, I also wanted to show the process of my work. All imagery are based off photographs I have taken. I then draw, with a ballpoint pen, pieces of that photograph, capturing what I see as most important. For a few of the pieces, I continued the process. I then scanned my drawings and turned them into high resolution PDF's, which I then printed as large format copies. After I mount the copies, I then use markers, colored pencils and acrylic to "highlight" sections.

I also used a printmaking method to create monoprints and 3 color prints.

All work is currently being shown at MKT Bar in Houston, TX.

Interested parties may purchase directly from the venue. Thanks.