A Mural: In Process Part I

 

Part I

I have always been reticent about photographing people...I really feel that I am stealing their soul. And on occasions when I have overcome my shyness I have found that they usually present a social mask which defeats the point of the essay. Usually I only photograph others with a long lens and from a great distance. I have long wanted to do an essay...Men at Work, but, alas. It has not possible for me to do so.

This week I was delighted to find Ricardo Moreno painting a mural right around the corner from my place...on Alianza next to the space odyssey mural. While that, he tells me, was a labor of love, (he knows those people, The Spray Kings, but he did not participate in that project), he was commissioned by the home owner to do this mural. The title references a local Oaxacan music group, Banda Tierra Mojada, and one of their songs…”Muchacha Triste”. Because I was so eager to do the photo essay and because he is such a wonderful and accommodating fellow, I was able to overcome my inherent shyness and to shoot as many photos as I wanted.

While my preference is for a work painted with a brush none the less I have been fascinated by the work of those here in Oaxaca who can make hard edge abstractions with a spray can. Despite my taking him from his work Ricardo was very generous with his time and explained and demonstrated to me how that is done. Essentially the closer the nozzle is to the wall the thinner the line that is drawn. In areas where a pattern, let’s say a chevron, is done, the second and third colors are applied over the ground color and then the ground color is closely sprayed to define the pattern. I would have thought a stencil had been used but there you are...I was wrong again!

In addition, moving quickly and decisively lessens the likelihood of unwanted drips and runs...it really requires a mastery of line making and, ah, how I love lines...long flowing lines!

I have included links to Ricardo’s Facebook and Instagram pages. He has done some wonderful work and he is especially good at figure drawing...always a plus in my book. Like many of the artists here he makes his living in a variety of artistic endeavors. When in Oaxaca look him up and buy a few samples!!! In the meantime let him know via his pages or email that you have seen and love the work. For an artist moral support is always welcome.

The Banda Tierra Mojada is one of those brass, drums, and reed ensembles that you hear outside of churches as the bride and groom exit the ceremony...with the difference that these guys are really good!

It takes forever to download these photos so I m doing this entry in two Parts.

There are more photos of the process on his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/Painter-Moreno-118430208260078

see aslo painter.moreno on Instagram.

(8) Banda Tierra Mojada | Facebook

(26) MUCHACHA TRISTE (CANTADA) - BANDA TIERRA MOJADA ESTRENO 2014 - YouTube