Rafael S. Tarazona, Artist
Rafael S. Tarazona was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico on November 28, 1956. While in elementary school, he studied at the Colegio Católico de Caguas where he began to demonstrate his passion for drawing at an early age. Continuing into Junior High School at Aguayo Aldea School, also in Caguas, he began to take drawing lessons with Professor Victor Lizardi.
While still in his studies with Professor Victor Lizardi, his experiences lead him to define his interest in plastic arts. Such discovery lead him to take vocational classes of bill boarding, silk screening, charcoal drawing and painting; specializing in perspective, light, and shades.
At the age of 18 after completing High School at Escuela Vocacional República de Costa Rica, in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tarazona’s formal studies in plastic arts were interrupted, as he was recommended and selected to occupy the position of graphic artist in a prestigious company in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In 1979 Tarazona traveled to Rochester, New York to take classes in Eastman Kodak College in photo technicalities and its application to graphic arts, working simultaneously at Commercial Silk Screening in the same city.
When Tarazona returned to Puerto Rico, he took special courses in silk screening techniques with Lorenzo Homar and Luis Cajiga, and traveled to the creative studios of Walt Disney World. As he continued working in the field of graphic arts, he was given assignments in designing important projects, such as the Olympic Games in Puerto Rico and the license of Walt Disney.
In 1990, Tarazona establishes his own company of art designing and printing on textiles where he applies his vast experience with eminent success. However, his passion for art remained. By the end of 1998 he began to paint occasionally, but the admiration he received for his work motivated him to spend more time in his passion. To further improve on his ever growing talent, Tarazona took private lessons in techniques, preparation and application of oil painting with artist Orlando Vallejo, which such influence is visible in his first works. Interested in expanding his knowledge, Tarazona took courses in the Liga de Arte in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
These experiences lead the artist to develop new techniques, defining a style of his own. Tarazona’s work has formed part of a local and international phenomenon which is appreciated by individuals, collective auctions, and exhibitions that have deserved him prizes and recognitions.
MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas
