Marc Raphael

Every painting offers me an opportunity to express myself creatively, make meaning with my materials, and deepen my understanding of myself – three pursuits that I cherish. Through color, line, texture, and abstraction, I make paintings that I want to see and that are meaningful to me. My paintings, which I liken to jazz-like improvisations on canvas, are a gift to viewers in that they offer one the opportunity to enjoy an emotional experience and gain a deeper understanding of oneself. Just as art speaks to me, I want my art to speak to others.

Born, raised, and currently living in Los Angeles, Marc is a self-taught abstract expressionist painter who painted his first abstract works in 1991. A 25-year career as a K-12 classroom teacher, working in Watts, South Central, and the San Fernando Valley, left Marc limited opportunities to pursue his passion for art. Then, in January 2020, he transitioned to painting full time.

For 18 months, Marc practiced his art in his sister-in-law’s garage where he further developed his action painting technique and deepened his understanding of the properties and behaviors of acrylic and latex paints. His art education and growth as a painter grew from museum and gallery visits, watching other artists’ demonstrations on YouTube and Instagram, constantly reading articles and biographies on various art topics and artists, and listening to podcasts such as The Curator’s Salon, The Savvy Painter, and Art Bound. Over the past six months, he has taken two workshops with Lesley Grainger (a local artist in San Juan Capistrano) and one 4-week online course through the Mendocino Art Center.

The most important decision on his art journey occurred in August 2021 when Marc began to rent studio space in the Hawthorne Arts Complex, a 44,000 square foot artist community with over 100 artists. Five days a week, Marc works in his studio, painting, building stretcher bars, stretching canvases, and making frames. Developing relationships with other artists has strengthened his confidence, expanded his knowledge of craft and the business, and provided a support network that has steeled his courage to expand his presence online and in galleries.

At age 57, Marc can attest that it is never too late to make your dream a reality.