The Art of Giving Art

I’d like to dedicate this blog my brother Rafael Hernandez Jr. (Oct. 19, 1969 – Sept. 25, 1994)

As I child, my older brother was always the artistic one. He was always bringing home awards and ribbons from school for his artwork. I wasn’t in school yet, but I couldn’t wait to finally begin school so I could do what Jr. was doing as well.
He was even the youngest contestant in one of San Diego County’s newspaper art contests. He won second place and was featured on the front page of the paper shortly after. He certainly made my family proud.

There is a long version to his story and with due time everything my brother taught me about art and love for art will be expressed here.

What I can say now, is that having a brother like Jr. who opened my eyes to a world that I have dove into and passionately embraced has been a richness of life that I cannot explain.
From his countywide second place award, to the big walls of graffiti he quickly constructed, to the echo of his voice in my dreams… he gave me Art. He gave it to me and left it for me to share it, to teach it, to BE it.

Thank you, Jr.
I miss you.