I had been plugging away with my Exacto blade late into the night creating black and white images on paper. Then I came across this artist Ray Ferrer and was hooked. The soulful expression of his images grabbed me. I realized I wanted  had to feature him on my blog but that meant I needed to draw him; which seemed way more daunting. Until now… all my Tuesday talent sketches have featured female artists.

So without further ado I want to introduce you to my portrait and the raw, honest, simple splendor of the artwork and words of Ray Ferrer.

I am an East Coast based artist who, through my work, seeks to utilize various harmonies and ideas to visually engage the audience.  I also use my art as an opportunity to experiment with the range of possibilities allowed through my choice of materials, spray paint and hand cut stencils.

My work captures spaces of partial or full illumination between the perfect shadows on all sides of a person or an object.  The artwork conveys the real beauty of the subject.  The viewer is able to appreciate the simplicity, splendor and  exquisiteness  of my work and the subject.  The work is raw, it’s stripped back, it’s honest.

I am vehemently opposed to using art as a means to rely on overly-complex theories or ideas to prop up mediocre images. I believe that the quality of the actual work is what is paramount.

Who inspires Ray

My wife is my biggest inspiration.  She is also my largest supporter and biggest source of motivation.

What Ray does

I create emotional works of art on canvas

What Ray Does best

I think I am best at being a loving husband and father to my 12 year old daughter

What other profession Ray would like to attempt

There is nothing I would rather being doing with my time.  I have an MBA from a top business school and was a strategist and consultant for some top Fortune 500 companies.  I hated every minute of it.  So, I traded in my MBA for a can of spray paint.

What turns Ray on creatively, spiritually or emotionally

Memories and feelings turn me on creatively.  Real life is my biggest creative turn on.  I love seeing people with the truth written on their faces, or children being children.  I love seeing things as they should be seen and not “cleaned up” for societal viewing.

Where to find Ray

I can be found online or at any of my exhibitions nationwide (USA currently).  My online presence is at the following sites (All my own and monitored and managed, edited and updated by me and me alone)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/urbanwallart

Blog (18,000+ followers): www.urbanwallart.wordpress.com

See Me Portfolio:  http://urbanwallart.see.me

Twitter: https://twitter.com/urbanwallart_g

Where Ray got his Talent/Education

My talent with art is not something I knew I had.  Just kind of happened.  My education is in business and engineering.  I have my MBA and don’t use it anymore.

Finally borrowing from Bernard Pivot- If  Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

I would like to hear him say “This place is dull, boring and way to white… and has been forever… can you PLEASE spray paint the heck out of it for me!”

A little Something Extra~A video of Ray’s process

Image: (1) Ray  by DCT, (2)Young Girl , Intuition and Closure by Ray Ferrer

***This is  a regular feature on my blog. Tuesday Talent Interviews are designed to introduce you to a myriad of incredible artisans. Make sure to check out the others. Enjoy!