Seductive figures, reckless rock n’ roll heroes and other graceful or contorted lines of human figuration forge Raúl Lara Naranjo’s signature acrylic, pastel, ink, oil and mixed media works on canvas. Translucent bodies coalesce amidst atmospheric waves of white, beige and grey pigment, alternating between subtly diffused strokes and a thick impasto finish. After transferring a base image to canvas, Lara enhances the work to near sculptural proportions, utilizing crumpled paper relief and a variety of custom soil glazes. Influenced by aspects of the work of both contemporary artists such as Miquel Barceló and classic figures like the passionate and controversial 17th Century painter Caravaggio, Lara's oeuvre combines traditional and modern elements and spans a wide range of subject matter, including seascapes, still lifes, Andalusian courtyards and interpretive portraits.
Raúl Lara Naranjo was born in Moron de la Frontera, Sevilla, Spain. Although he was trained briefly in painting as an adolescent at an academy in Spain, Naranjo is primarily a self-taught artist.