Rayjmaraca

I'm an artist currently living and working in Fort Collins, CO

I've been an artists my whole life, yet I embraced painting as my preferred medium in 2004. Along with bass guitar as may main tool for expression in the musical realm around the same time. Painting and Bass are my main weapons.

I've dabbled in other forms of creation and various tools to get there and to this day I certainly enjoy experimenting with my art and trying out different concepts and approaches. Sometimes painting with a spoon and oil paints rather than acrylic. Other times collage with decoupage and ripped up magazine articles. Sometimes creating music videos for my various musical projects just walking around the city with my phone. Sometimes trying these things is the best way to keep the creative spirit alive and hungry.

More than anything though I work in my own style which I've come to call "Social Pop Surrealism" which in some aspects embraces the concepts of experimentation mentioned above. Here's the breakdown of my style.

"Social" because of my commentary on life and society through my art and also how art can be used as a tool of connection and healing. I often paint colorful pet portraits for people and I've found that more and more often this is a way of creating a remembrance piece of they're lovely pets. I've been blown away by some of the emotional reactions some have had to receiving their pet portraits and been very happy that my art has been able to allow for that cathartic release for people. I also feel for them as well as me this interaction has highlighted the inter-connectivity of all our lives.

"Pop" because I tend to enjoy bright colorful presentation and focusing on popular characters, styles, and ideas in modern culture. Sometimes the best way to present a view of the world around us is by connecting cultural dots between different known moments and media rather than leaving the image so abstract that it's hard to discern what the message is. That being said there's nothing wrong with getting a bright, colorful, explosion of a piece out there that the "why?" and "how" is a giant question mark.

and lastly but not least, "Surrealism". I've always enjoyed that Surrealism is an avant-garde movement in art and literature that seeks to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind. When I find myself thinking philosophically I tend to lean towards concepts found in Taoism and through my studies in College and further reading I've found parallels between these concepts and some concepts expressed in Surrealism. At the end of the day I have many thoughts and opinions on all the big "WHYs?" of the universe but these things have been like psychological blankets that give me comfort as I navigate the mystery of life.

To purchase the original pieces that are still available or discuss Art Print options please e-mail me @ jacob.w.bryner@gmail.com or visit any of the links below

http://www.artjwb.com/

https://linktr.ee/artjwb