ARTIST STATEMENT

Many painters create texture upon their canvases by building layer upon layer of paint; with each layer comes a greater sense of history and dimension within the work. Others using thickening agents to almost sculpt their paint, spreading it thickly upon their work’s surface for a subtle 3D effect. Raul has chosen a unique route to enrich his acrylic paintings with texture: embroidery. He first chooses the colors he wants to incorporate in the palette of the work he’s about to embark upon. To Raul, the colors represent people, moments or feelings. I paint with acrylic in various blocks of color interacting with one another, evolving a pattern upon the canvas. Sometimes he contains the paint within a clean border, other times he lets the blocks of color drip down the canvas or paper. Next, he begins the process of embroidery. Raul makes horizontal cuts on the canvas or paper and covers these open areas using cotton thread.  This process of embroidering on canvas or paper adds both intrigue and a sense of depth to each unique work.

His most recent body of works reflects a series of poems by a well-known poet from Catalonia, his home country. An homage to both the poet and the creative process, his technique of embroidery is heartfelt exploration. Just as a poet builds words to form metaphor or meaning, Raul builds texture through embroidery to form depth and character.

Visit our Artsy Store to see all of the available inventory by Raul de la Torre and to purchase his work. Or email us at chloe@shewolfgallery.art to create a custom commission or arrange a studio visit.