Puertorican Folk Artist
From a very young age, his talents were noticed not only by his family but by his teachers and friends. Inspired by his Junior High School teacher artist David Pratt, Rafi took and passed the test for admittance to the High School of Arts & Design, also in the Big Apple.
After graduation in 1963, Rafael enlisted in the U.S. Marines where he served for four years advancing to the rank of Sgt. After duties in Santo Domingo and the hard experience of VietNam, he was discharged in 1967 and shortly thereafter took the exam and entered The School of Visual Arts in New York.
From a very young age, his talents were noticed not only by his family but by his teachers and friends. Inspired by his Junior High School teacher artist David Pratt, Rafi took and passed the test for admittance to the High School of Arts & Design, also in the Big Apple.
After graduation in 1963, Rafael enlisted in the U.S. Marines where he served for four years advancing to the rank of Sgt. After duties in Santo Domingo and the hard experience of VietNam, he was discharged in 1967 and shortly thereafter took the exam and entered The School of Visual Arts in New York.
Puertorican Folk Artist
From a very young age, his talents were noticed not only by his family but by his teachers and friends. Inspired by his Junior High School teacher artist David Pratt, Rafi took and passed the test for admittance to the High School of Arts & Design, also in the Big Apple.
After graduation in 1963, Rafael enlisted in the U.S. Marines where he served for four years advancing to the rank of Sgt. After duties in Santo Domingo and the hard experience of VietNam, he was discharged in 1967 and shortly thereafter took the exam and entered The School of Visual Arts in New York.
Rafi found work in the same capacities for several different agencies in the Santurce area of San Juan. During this time he developed skills in pen & Ink drawing. He finally settled in Dorado, working for the municipality as their graphic artist producing posters for events and activities. In his recent works, he has developed a unique style using acrylic on Arches paper, vellum, masonite, but mostly his great works are acrylic on canvas.
In the near future, Rafael will retire to pursue his craft as both the artist and the teacher. Many of his friends and clientele are eagerly anticipating his next round of paintings and he has a waiting list of students to sit at his easel.
About RAFAEL
Puerto Rico has a rich history and heritage and within every son or daughter of the motherland, is ingrained a deep and almost reverential love for la Isla de Encanto.
We see it in every town that has an annual parade, where sometimes thousands attend, all dressed for the occasion, we see it in the dances and festivals and we see it in every artist that has been blessed to call Puerto Rico their home.
One such artist is Raphael Mulett Irizarry from Dorado. His paintings evoke a strong sense of the pride of a people and the love of an island as unique as the artist and his creations.
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