My world is changing and it’s a wonderful. Like many, the uncertainty that change brings horrifies me. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to be close to a canvas that helps me deal with it and build that proverbial bridge. If I’m really really lucky it happens to arrive at a place of balance, the kind that only a panda whose just discovered balance. Since I can’t afford a therapist, I’ll invest in more paint.’ ~Raul Pizarro, July 2014

This is a story in the pictures and words of one Raul Pizarro, one of the most inspiring people I know. Raul’s not a disabled artist. He’s an ARTIST who happens to be disabled. I first met him at a party of a mutual artist friend just after my sight returned. But I would have FELT him, even if I were still blind. His energy is so powerful, beautiful and bright, he is one of those rare people in our world who brings magic. And if you’re in Southern California, you can meet him too: on May 5, 2018, he’ll be at the opening of his new show Feral Awakening at the Flower-Pepper Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

‘This feral awakening is about finding intrinsic value, connectedness and finding truth in love. Learning to love the bodies we’re in, unearthing the sacred in everything around us and finally being able to reemerge into a life that embraces the path we each must travel.’ ~~Raul Pizarro

I could tell you about Raul myself, how I admire him, he’s unusual in so many ways and one is how very articulate he is. So I’ll let you meet Raul–in his own words. He shares his life on his Facebook page, where I get to keep up with my friends since I’ve left the USA. His ‘about’ as of May 2018:
‘Painter, sculptor, wanderer, fan of pastries. I’m currently known for creating enlightened beasts.’

From his artist statement for his new show Feral Awakenings: ‘I grew up very introverted especially in public spaces. My body was visibly different due to neuro-muscular disease which made me very thin and caused me to walk strangely. Odd stares, whisperings and being “othered,” made connecting with others very challenging as a child.
 For the longest time I didn’t realize my brain was wired from flawed ideas from those early years in my life.
These paintings are about those moments where many of those faulted truths started to
 crumble and the awakening that ensued…’

‘Artist confession, putting yourself out there can be really scary/ incredibly challenging. No one I know enjoys being judged or rejected. Art is a tough business when it comes to making a living. As an artist I want to live as honestly as possible especially on the canvas. A lot of my dreams, fears, thoughts and life truths are shared. That said, I want to tell those of you who want to accomplish something thats pretty scary or seems too vulnerable, give it a try. You’re only on this spinning rock one time. This is a photo of me the moment we walked into the gallery to drop off the painting I’d just made for the gallery. The moment I handed the painting to gallery owner, she put a check in my hand because the painting had sold before It even arrived at the gallery. The smile is due to feeling like maybe I really have made the right decision in following what gives life so much fulfillment.’ ~Raul Pizarro

I’ve seen so many beautiful paintings by Raul Pizarro, they are all quite wonderful, and they’re not all bears.

“People have asked me why I’ve been painting bears… I’ve loved bears since I was a kid, my favorite stuffed animal was a bear holding it’s cub my mom gave me after my first muscle biopsy in the hospital when I was about 4… My body has suffered change & pain but my being has become so peaceful & still. I’ve learned that we aren’t only the things we have fought in ourselves but also the great things we’ve taken for granted. This series is my current light. Bears wander fearlessly it seems, which is how I want to live my life. They nurture, protect & sometimes destroy. In my work they explore & discover who they are, where they are & how it’s all connected. They instinctually connect the lines of the majestic outer world & discover multiple truths about their nature. I’m enjoying this journey with them.” ~Raul Pizarro

 

‘The heart set free doesn’t fear spinning through uncertainty. It falls and rises just like it’s beats, some steady and predictable even when they aren’t. It defines love on it’s own terms and fearlessly. The pulse is at peace, perfect in it’s own truthful state. This state of grace is the calm stream acceptance travels on.’ ~Raul Pizarro, Feb, 2015
Corazón Libre (A Free Heart)

Raul has kept working and painting no matter what his challenges. He’s an artist who SELLS, not because of his disability, but because of his talent, and his works are so charming, everyone loves them. And him.

‘The sun shone bright today in and outside of my truck. Dropped off some work that’s getting pretty custom frames before shipping off to beautiful Savannah Georgia… I often forget I can’t walk anymore and swing the door open and almost step out before realizing I’m about to make out with the concrete.’ #HandicapProblems” ~Raul Pizzaro, April 2104

In 2014, Univision heard about Raul and made a documentary about him. It was nominated for an Emmy award. Here, he and his friend, Aleckx Bohdi exuberant over an invite to the Emmy Awards! Aleckx is a great friend indeed. Hiking? No problem! Over the years, Alecksx has been known to put Raul in a backpack frame and take him hiking to some beautiful inspiring places!

‘AWESOME NEWS ALERT! Guess who just got invited to the Emmy’s?! The two-part story Univision did on my work & life just got nominated for an Emmy!’ ~Raul Pizarro with Aleckx Bohdi, June 2014

In 2016, Raul’s friends, family, and fans set up successful GoFundMe campaign to get him a van he could travel in!

‘… to everyone whose shared our miracle van gofund me! Thank you thank you thank you 😀
I can’t wait to finally just roll into a vehicle without difficult transferring or the fear of my huge chair falling on whoever is loading it in. You guys are the best, truly.’ ~Raul Pizarro, April, 2016

In 2015, when Raul shared this painting, he wrote:’“It’s when we fly cautiously through the night, blindly following songs that lull our universe and the way we survive. Songs about hunger and love and the marriage of both. It’s the human surrendering to the peaceful beast in our blood. The unmasking of whirling waters that finally lay still revealing both refection and depths. That’s the truth at midnight… An old part of me wanted to post a different picture that didn’t show how emaciated my arm is, the old part of me that would only wear long sleeves to mask my reality but hiding any part of who I am isn’t an option anymore. Live loudly even in the stillness of midnight. This is a part of my journey emaciated and weak but still going and grateful.” ~Raul Pizarro, Jan 2015

This painting is titled The Truth Of Love. It’s about learning that love isn’t something that can be captured and owned but finding the beauty and peace in someone’s or something’s truth.’ ~Raul Pizarro, May 2018

Raul worked any way he could: ‘When areas were unreachable I laid it on the ground and worked on the corners my arms could reach. Other times I hung it upside down and sometimes I’d climb onto my taller wheelchair, hit the tilt switch on the chair and gain a bit of height to reach areas that I couldn’t reach from the office chair. It was a beautiful struggle.’ Then, in 2016, some engineers at northrop-grumman’s FABLAB reached out their helping hands to make his work just a little easier.

‘This painting isn’t just about the image size of the piece itself. Still don’t know how I’ll physically accomplish this but the only way to get there is using everything around and within me to reach the heights. 
When I woke up to the celestial realities outside of my sheltered youth, truthful existence began. Trading traditional expectations for personal sincerity was one of the toughest but best challenges in life. For those who feel lost, sit still and you may find you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. Strength doesn’t happen in easy comfort.
’ `Raul Pizarro, 2017

I told you he doesn’t always paint bears. But he is always full of love and inspiring!

‘My love goes out to all of those suffering physically and psychologically. This life is yours to live as well as anyone else’s. Stay with us, even though things are dark for so many you are the light life needs. You are important, you are vital and so many of us love you. The most radical thing you can do in life is to realize you have power to build.’
~~Raul Pizarro, Sept 2017

He paint large and he paints small. But even the small ones are so big, full of life, and a joy!

‘He searched on top of trees so tall
for joy and peace before the fall
He peaked into burrows for friends and laughter
but he found nests for snow that would soon come after
He collected trinkets along the way and stored them in jars
until the night he found that all he was seeking lived in the stars’
‘Small painting I made on the anniversary of still being here many years past expectations. Love spinning on this planet with life shining all around.
’ ~Raul Pizarro, Nov 2015

I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting my friend Raul Pizarro! I LOVE you Raul Pizarro! wish I could be there but my wings can’t fly that far.

If you’re in Southern California–do take the opportunity of meeting him at his OPENING Saturday May 5th: Feral Awakening at the Flower-Pepper Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

‘This feral awakening is about finding intrinsic value, connectedness and finding truth in love. Learning to love the bodies we’re in, unearthing the sacred in everything around us and finally being able to reemerge into a life that embraces the path we each must travel.’ ~~Raul Pizarro
This painting is titled The Truth Of Love. It’s about learning that love isn’t something that can be captured and owned but finding the beauty and peace in someone’s or something’s truth.’ ~Raul Pizarro, May 2018

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Meet an Amazing Artist & One of the MOST INSPIRING People Around!
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