We visited the house-workshop of Rodolfo de León, (Fofo) and we talked among flowers and plants in a huge garden, books, lots of artwork hanging on the walls, puppets and fabrics, tables with paint in little bottles, brushes, inks, wedges and works in process. The friendship we have shared for many years now and his warm smile of welcome were the beginning of this interview.
Rodolfo de León was influenced by art since childhood, he comes from a family of artists so by the age of 9 or 10, he had already seen works of art that were not suitable for his age – he explains. His first approach was theater, story-telling and music. His mother told him stories before bedtime.
You have dedicated yourself to various things related to art, right?
Yes, I have played guitar and I have also sung. I am self-taught, I began to study a degree in art but I realized after 3 years that my being there wasn’t going to turn me into an artist. So I went away. We had formed a group of clowns and a group of musicians with a group from church and we were giving performances in different places. I met a clown teacher and went with her to Europe, and there I recorded an album. I was 29 years old.
At what time did you start painting?
I was always attracted to painting, even though there was a paradigm in my head that painting is very difficult, because we believe that what we put together should be the same as what we know as reality.
When I returned from Europe, I went to live in Zone 1; and as always, I had many friends who were also painters. By spending time with them, I had realized I couldn’t draw, and was embarrassed by it, so I started investigating and practicing and drew in my room.
A friend who was a painter saw some of my drawings and took them away. Then Anibal López (another friend and painter) saw one of my drawings when he came to my house one day to play chess and after some conversation we reached an agreement: he would teach me how to paint and I would teach him how to play guitar. That’s how we started a great exchange.
What do you paint, what is your inspiration?
The social aspect of life affects me, unconsciously, even if I don ́t want it. Another inspiration comes from the love of painting itself, which does not need a theme but only to experience the delight of painting. When I feel blocked, I always do self-portraits or still life; I’ve always wanted to get models but they don’t always have time. It is so much easier to make self-portraits, so I sometimes use a mirror and other times do it by memory.
Do you feel that you have had any influence from a painter?
Yes! Of all the modernists.
I see your paintings and they remind me of Guillermo Grajeda Mena, do you like Mena?
Yes, I like Mena, he has this thing with synthesis. It makes you salivate.
What other artists do you like?
Matisse! Matisse is God, he is the greatest of painters.
How often do you paint?
Every day, painting is already part of my routine.
What style do you think your works have?
Modernist, I believe.
How would you describe your creative process?
It is an act of faith, when I face the material. I do not know what I’m going to do; unless it is a still life. What plays there is the unconscious. I get up and in my head I only know that I have to sign a piece at least. There are one-piece days or good three-piece days.
Do you name your artwork?
Yes, they all have a name and I think that what people like the most about them is their titles.
You are in a collective of artists, how has that influenced you?
In a very positive way in terms of being able to see the way in which others work and by participating in workshops, learning about materials, techniques; going and trying new things. I admire the work of other other artists like your, Elvira.
How do you see your works in the future?
I’m not in a hurry, but I want to make my work more known. I have problems with promotion. And you have to do it, you have to let people know about your work.
Anything else you want to tell us?
Greetings to all the fans! (laughs)
After the interview we toast to life with a glass of mezcal.
Information and visits to his workshop:
(502) 4944 3308
