Houston based artist, Ray Gatica, enjoys hand-painting murals. One of his specialties is doing large murals and canvas paintings, along with large architectural graphics and signage. When given the go ahead to create what ever, he goes for the art deco style art. Some of his bejeweled figures stand 17 feet tall. He usually, juxtaposes the tall figures in front of impressionistic architecture.

“There is something about Art Deco art that appeals to me like nothing else.” says the artist, “I can’t really say what it is but I have enjoyed it and have been intrigued by it since I found out what it was called over twenty years ago.”

When I started painting and drawing over thirty years ago, I used to elongate and exaggerate the figures in my art like in Art deco – without knowing why. I didn’t even know what art deco was at the time. My art would just go that way. And then during my twenties while living in Connecticut I got more aware of art and the various styles in my mid twenties. That is when I realized what art deco was, and realized my style had an art deco influence. I have been enamored with the style, ever since.

Art deco is the period of the 20’s and 30’s, when people were thin and elegant and dressed in style. There was elegance all around. I remember when my parents used to get dressed on Saturdays to go shopping, church and family get-togethers. I remember how elegant everyone looked. Regarding my parents I am talking of the sixties when people still dressed nicely, women with their long hair, tight skirts and heels. And men in their ties and hats looked smart and elegant, too. Even though this was not the art deco period – it was a spin-off of that period.

Now after a few years, as an artist whom creates custom art and murals for private and commercial clients, whenever I am asked to create something by a client, I create something in the art deco style. I used the airbrush to create my works and even though it not during art deco period of the 20’s and 30’s, I consider it art deco but not just art deco but New Deco.

Gatica uses the airbrush in a lot of his works because it leaves a soft, smooth that appeals to the artist. When creating the large, art deco style murals the process usually involves using traditional brushes but after the painting is done he uses the airbrush to add soft shadows, highlights, and to contour the figures and finally to add special effects that are easily achieved with the airbrush.

I have perfected my style of simple lines, and long stylish, bejeweled figures reminiscent of the deco period. I have even created large new deco canvas pieces and murals for clients. I consider my work “New Deco”, because it has the look of yesterday with the slick look of today – which only the airbrush can create. Gatica’s work is modernistic, impressionistic and avant-garde, fresh and airy.

You can see some of the New Deco works with the following link http://www.muralsandbigart.com/Art-Deco-style-Murals.htm.

Author Bio: The author is a long term artist out of Houston Texas. He specialty is hand painting large murals and big architectural graphics including Gym Graphics, etc. Art Deco is one of his passions. Samples of his art deco style works can be seen at http://www.muralsandbigart.com; http://www.GaticaArt.com

Category: Arts and Crafts
Keywords: Art Deco Art and Murals, Art Deco Muralist, Airbrush New Deco Art and Murals, Houston Muralist