Cesar Rodrigues

Natural Earth

materials funded: acrylic paints, canvases, air compressor, tumbled stones

ARTIST STATEMENT

Cesar Rodrigues typically works with acrylic paint and acrylic mediums (a liquid used to change the paint’s texture and thickness), but has long been interested in the texture of sand, as well as its many different colors. Tumbled stones also drew his attention, as they have been known throughout history for their healing and relaxation properties. Rodrigues thought that the sand and stones, with their unique looks, would produce an interesting pairing with his painting style. He mixed crushed tumbled stones from different places on Earth with glass bead gel, his current acrylic medium of choice. The transparent medium allows for the colors and textures of the stones to be visible. Rodrigues also explored how an air compressor could create breaks and patterns along his canvas, similarly to how wind creates patterns in the sand.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Through the lens of the ever-interpretive abstract, Cesar Rodrigues’ work invites viewers to see from a different angle each time, evoking a variety of sights, sounds, emotions, and memories for each person. In taking on the viewpoint of a satellite, the paintings depict undiscovered lands or planets, underscoring the elements of freedom in choice and roads taken. The bold colors bleeding onto the canvas may invoke complexity, or simplicity and clarity through the explosion of breaking through. “They take your mind in many directions, leaving the door open for conversation,” said the artist.

As a child, Rodrigues was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. In and out of hospitals, he found artistic passion in a sterile environment when he was given crayons. He painted with brushes and pencils at first, but after losing strength in one hand, the process changed to pouring paint and using gravity and tilting to spread it on canvas. Now unable to use either hand, Rodrigues created a painting box powered by Bluetooth technology, through which he pours paint from a cup attached to a linear actuator. His work has been seen at Agora Gallery, Dzian Gallery, The Sprinkler Factory and ArtsWorcester.

@cesarjr1987

cesarrodriguesfinart.com