New to Madison, artist R-Lo held his first show at Omega School as he conquered uncertainty with a fresh start.
Richard “R-Lo” Lopez moved to Madison around three months ago from Harrisburg, Pa. Initially wrought with nervousness after finally finding his foothold as an artist then moving, he had his first solo show at the LOUD Gallery at Omega School, 835 Badger Rd.
“I was so scared leaving everything that I had. I just got the ball rolling on my hard career at 30,” R-Lo said.
R-Lo most recently came from Harrisburg where he had an artist residency. He moved to Madison to be with his partner. He arrived fresh from finally finding renown as an artist. The move to Madison, and how he described it as starting over, made him nervous. He was unsure if he could find his place as an artist again but was happily met with opportunities after meeting fellow Latino artists in the area.
Previously, R-Lo’s work was featured at Oscar Mireles’ retirement party at the Common Wealth Gallery. The party was coupled with space freely provided to artists of color. The experience led to another opportunity where Mireles offered him a residency at Omega School.
The day was split into two events. First was a private luncheon between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. where R-Lo introduced himself and his story to guests invited by Mireles. Later in the evening, a reception for the public was held where he recapped and answered questions about his work. Throughout the day, R-Lo worked on a live charcoal drawing.
The live drawing, much like R-Lo’s other work, is free-form and abstract using charcoal. He doesn’t go in with a plan, but rather relies on his emotional state at the time of working.
“The thing, a really important thing, about all of my pieces is that they’re super relative to what was happening to me that day and what I was thinking about,” R-Lo said.
(Photo by Omar Waheed)
At the show, he felt nervous. He previously had done live drawings at his residency in Harrisburg, but the experience was different. There, at Millworks, the studio space was coupled with a brewery and art gallery. R-Lo recalled often harsh criticisms from onlookers who weren’t necessarily there to see his work.
At Omega School the experience was different. As charcoal dust covered the ground while R-Lo burned through stick after stick, attendees were captivated.
Attendees were there for R-Lo — they wanted to meet him and see his work. They asked about his inspirations, journey and pieces he had on the walls across the school. His nervousness quickly melted away as he felt accepted by Madison.
“I’m going to make it regardless whether I’m making money or not or if I’m showing anywhere,” R-Lo said. “But to be able to have the opportunity to show it and have people that received it so well and show love and resonate with the work… It’s affirming.”
His work holds many common themes. R-Lo likes to implement religious iconography and pulls inspiration from cartoons he enjoys. He moves around canvasses with an evolving vision as he works, often layering more charcoal.
R-Lo hopes to be a mainstay in art. “I want to be a household name. I want to be in everyone’s home,” he said jokingly to an attendee at the luncheon.
“I don’t care so much for the notoriety, but I do want my work to be seen. I don’t want my stuff to end up in a Goodwill. I want to share my work with the world,” he said.
R-Lo’s work will remain at the LOUD Gallery at Omega School until Dec. 18. Those interested in viewing his work can email Mireles to schedule a time to stop by at [email protected].
