First published 2017
Ricky Armendariz stands in his studio, router in hand, carving intricate details into another of his painted scenarios. For nearly twenty-five years, he has forged a unique artistic identity that blends painter, craftsman, rebel, and dreamer. His hands move with the precision learned from years of stone masonry work in Colorado, now applied to his art practice. Ricky searches constantly for new synthetic materials that will give his block prints sharper detail. He painstakingly bevels and ornaments each piece, creating narrative scenes that are clever, mythological, and sometimes disturbing. His technical skills grow more refined with each work, yet the physical labor of "crating" his pieces remains central to his process. The novel follows Ricky as he navigates the tension between his artistic vision and the demanding craft required to realize it, exploring how his background in manual labor shapes his approach to fine art.
Genres: fiction, art, contemporary, biographical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, creative-process
Setting: Colorado
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
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