Kristian Rangel

About

Imagination fused with life, travels and dreams... is the expression of my work. Every line, every stroke scrutinized by perfectionism is laid to rest, with endless incessant repetition. "Balanced Chaos" is its foundation and ardent detail it's ongoing culmination.

For the past nine years I have explored the technique known as Scratchboard. A clay covered hardboard panel coated with black India ink. Once the board has been scratched using a sharp metal tool, those lines or scratches are painted with a brush, using colored Indian inks or watercolors. The final image is then sealed with acrylic. Adapting and mastering this medium has been a great experience. It has allowed my style to merge and flourish with the combination of drawing and the challenges of etching or scratching, taking away versus applying. The creation of compositions through lines only, calls for the exploration of these and the infinite ways of their application to achieve motion, texture and color through obsessive intricacy or plain simplicity.

My compositions strive to achieve balance, both in structure and color, which lead to the development of applicable rules that I now project and apply as a theory throughout my work. This theory has allowed me to structure my work, composition and it's creative process, production time, and above all, guidance for assured masterful completion of the work. The rules of this theory evolve as the artwork evolves, however its founding law, the equal merger of chaos and balance, always remains constant, hence the name "Chaotic Balance".

The visions I portray will continue to evolve and reflect this strong theoretic pillar I created, while building upon it, and helping others understand the relation between empty space and all surrounding factors within my work. … Read More

Location: Houston, TX, United States
Website: http://www.kristianrangelvallari.com

Education

Kristian Rangel Vallari began his artistic career at an early age, always sketching, drawing or painting. At 16, he left Mexico to complete his high school studies at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, where he more fully developed his artistic talent. As a senior, Kristian entered a national art contest, "Intergalactic Art”, sponsored by NASA and the National Science Teachers Association. His entry, “Dream of the Future”, earned top honors as the 1st place National Winner and was exhibited in numerous schools and museums throughout the U.S.

In 1996, Kristian enrolled in one of the leading art schools in the world, the Rhode Island School of Design. He graduated with two bachelor’s degrees – Fine Arts and Graphic Design. Kristian also immersed himself in illustration and painting, and spent time studying photography at the University of Christchurch in New Zealand. In 2009, The Governor of Rhode Island recognized Kristian for his artistic talent and contribution to the cultural arts.

Kristian's current work spans a variety of mediums and forms - from drawing to oil painting, from graphic design and illustration to photography. His art work has been used by numerous organizations, including the Rhode Island Department of Health, McDonald’s, the Giffoni Film Festival in Giffoni, Italy, the American Red Cross, Microsoft Corporation, the University of Chicago GSB and the Houston GWB Intercontinental Airport, to name just a few. Kristian has traveled abroad extensively, spending time visiting many regions of the world, including North America, India, China, Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, Brazil and Europe. These travels have influenced his artwork as it displays a mix of places, scenes, dreams, memories, objects and thoughts.

Clayboard Black (Scratchboard) covers an extensive part of Kristian’s current work. It is a clay-covered hardboard panel coated with Black India ink. After scratching out the composition with a sharp metal point, he adds color using Indian inks or watercolors. Kristian is consistently commissioned to create unique scratchboards for his growing base of collectors and art aficionados.

Another project of Kristian’s is titled “De Manos” (Spanish for “Handstand”) in which he has combined three hobbies: photography, travel and handstands. In 2006, Kristian was photographed while doing a handstand atop a grassy hill with Seattle, Washington as backdrop in the distance. That image led to an ongoing, evolving series of photos taken throughout his travels of the past six years. So far, over 180 photos have been published in Kristian’s “De Manos” Facebook page. What began as a visual stunt, slowly became a private collection of “Been Here” photos. Inevitably with time, the “project” began incorporating a visual study of space, form, symmetry and composition. To view "De Manos" project visit www.DeManosKristianRangel.com

Kristian currently serves as president and art director of Houston-based Avanzare Design, LLC, a design firm specializing in web and graphic design, illustration and photography services. … Read More