Rai Villanueva: Live Art | Friday, September 4 @ Egyptian Club
September 3, 2009 — PDXPIPELINEPosted by Meagan Kate
Portland artist brings aerosol indoors
Calling Portland a creative town is an understatement; many Portlanders consider themselves artists, live with artists, work with artists. Few, however, are gaining popularity as quickly as Rai Villanueva.
Rai's medium and live art appearances have gotten her some unique opportunities and an impressive fanbase. After seeing Rai's live work at a benefit recently, I asked to talk with her about her work, her inspiration and her show at the Egyptian club tomorrow night.
PDX Pipeline: When did your love of art begin?
Rai Villanueva: I always felt drawn to express myself emotionally through drawing and painting with virtually anything I could get my hands on. I started with tempera paint, high lighters, pencils, markers, colored pencils. Over the years, I've pretty much used every medium out there. March of 2009 I discovered the use of spray paint.I fell in love with it! I loved the movement my body naturally made while I sprayed trying to get the my lines sharp.
PDXP: Would you consider yourself a 'graffiti artist'?
RV: I really appreciate street art and graffiti. I think it's extremely important to treat urban art movements seriously. I've draw a lot of inspiration from it, but I don't consider myself a graffiti artist. I work with aerosol paint almost exclusively, but the murals I do are commissioned, and most of my work are pieces on wood. Stylistically there are some similarities between graffiti art and what I do, but the motivation and end result are different.
PDXP: What does it mean to be a female aerosol artist in Portland?
RV: I don't see a lot of female aerosal artists working in Portland. It can be fairly male dominated, but generally they're really excited when they see what I do. It can be hard, because I'm not surrounded by painting role-models. However, it works to my advantage because I tend to stand out a little more in the Portland art scene.
PDXP: What inspires you while you work? What kind of environment do you require? Do you listen to music?
RV: Music is very inspiring and important. I've painted to all kinds of music. Hip hop and rap lend themselves well to the style and movement of my art. Painting to something with a rythym helps my movements stay fast and expressive. Painting to more emotional music produces pieces with more introspect. What I'm listening to is very influential. When I paint live in public at shows I work with Rafael Vigilantics. He raps over beats, and it's extremely dynamic.
PDXP: How is your life different than it was one year ago?
RV: A year ago I was working a regular job, and although creating art, I didn't even start using aerosol until March of this year. Now, I'm trying to paint exclusively. I really want to survive on my abilities as an artist, and now I'm seeing that become feasible. It's very exciting.
PDXP: Where can our readers see you?
RV: I have a show this Friday at 9:00 p.m. at the Egyptian Club. I'm working frantically to get everything together. I'm really thrilled! Rafial Vigilantics, DJ Girlfriends, DJ L-Train, Nonsense Dance Company, and other artists and musicians will be performing and showing. It's going to be an awesome show. I'll be painting live, selling work, and raffling off the piece I paint live at midnight. It's a great opportunity to see a lot of great Portland creativity. It's going to be crazy fun, and a guaranteed good time.
The first fifty people to come to Rai's show tomorrow night will receive free prints from her, and I hear there will be amazing drink deals! If you're intrigued by what you see – hit up the E Room to see Rai in her element!
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WHO/WHAT: Live Art Show
WHEN: Tomorrow @ 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Egyptian Club
HOW MUCH: Free until 9:00 p.m., only $4 after that!
