Juan Carlos Ruiz Jr – Art Is Supposed To Make You Feel

04/19/16 • 12 min

Juan Carlos Ruiz, Jr likes to leave the interpretation of his paintings up to the viewer. You will find many of his paintings to be social in nature. There is not always a solid message in his art, sometimes it is simply to make something beautiful and cool. Other times he uses his art to make a statement, whether it is about society or about an emotion he is feeling at any given time. Juan Leans toward surrealism in his work and uses a lot of symbolism. His pictures of depict dichotomies, the struggle between good and evil or technology versus nature. Juan Carlos is influenced by renaissance art along with neo classical and abstract art. Growing up he was absorbed in comic books, comic books that were graphically detailed. These influences all show up in his work. Juan is a professional artist who teaches, does graphic design, paints and does murals.

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POWER – The word that comes to mind when you see Yenna Hill’s art.

Yenna Hills is a most delightful woman from whom inspiration flows. She grew up steeped in street and pop art and is greatly influenced by her uncle Keith Haring and has always been trying to find her own hand. Influenced by her uncle and her grandfather, Yenna was raised in a family of artists. They all continue to influence her today. She say sometimes her grandmother is in her handwriting, other times various family members show up in her art, like a thumb print. She plays with textures and lines and randomization. She personifies the word prolific and brought a variety of pieces to our studio as you can see. When asked how she you describes her art, she says, “I do complex line work ... I make things with my hands”. Check both those hashtags and you will find Yenna’s art. Yenna Hills started out not making things, rather looking at blank spaces and wanting to see lines across them! Acting was her love in high school, She used to write a lot and now she draws. Her art has become her writing. Creating art is a meditative state for Yenna. It can be a meditative state for us as well. Keep looking at her work and you will keep seeing different things. She doesn’t necessarily title her work. Eight people can look at a piece and each see something different and they are all right in some way You will find her work on statues, on bodies, on blank spaces in the city and hanging on walls across the country. She is adept at putting things all over the place. Find her art on Instagram: I make things with my hands or @yennakills. Email her at [email protected]. Listen to her story as she shares 1 thing most people don’t know – it has to do with her power.

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Art In Schools Makes a Difference! with Roberto Jafet Jaime

Jafet Jaime’s story starts in elementary school. He was introduced to Picasso and cubism at Lauers Park Elementary School in Reading, PA. Today he loves to draw faces in an abstract manner. He credits his motivation and inspiration to the art programs at Lauers Park. In addition he talks about influences at home from his mother and brother who are both artistic. He is the first in the family to take his art to this level. Jafet Jaime is just 16 years old and has already staged art shows! He staged his first art show at Olivet Boys and Girls Club where he volunteers. He says that was the beginning of identifying his career path. Cardboard, book art, acrylic and watercolor are a few of the mediums he uses to create art. Jafet says his mind is always creating things. When he sees a book he doesn’t think about reading it he thinks of ways to turn it into art! He finds inspiration in everything around him and has a natural gift of turning everyday items into pieces of art. He is motivated to continue. His dreams and goals include opening an art center for youth. He wants to introduce art to kids and motivate them to be creative. Jafet says, “Art is an escape for me ... it’s always going to be there for me. It was Lauers Park that nurtured that side of me. They motivated me”.