Rai Painting

What/who inspired the work? --This work is inspired by the fellow mates I have met at a rehab center. I believe they are a wonderful artistic subject for they represent also part of the human nature, often a part that we don't want to look at or that is filled with prejudices and hate, which it shouldn't, for people with this kind of problems are just as good hearted and nice and smart and sensitive and worth being portrayed as anyone else. What do you hope its viewers will feel/think? --I hope the viewer feels the dignity that lies behind and despite the problems that we all have, regardless of what kind of problem is or the stigmas that they may have attached. Why did you choose the medium, subject matter, style? --I like acrylic for it is a very fresh, sponataneous, immediate, medium. You either get the brushstroke right or have to throw the painting away. But when it functions it has a naturality that i like, just like when someone talks and is sincere. I grew up looking at classical portraits and reading graphic novels at the same time, so I guess it shows in the style these portraits are painted.