AOK Artist Spotlight: Rick Rodriguez

A.O.K. (Art of Kraft) is a monthly showcase that hopes to serve as a vehicle to help connect local business owners with artists and other artist with each other. It is our goal to create a container that’s supports creativity and access to our diverse community. It is held at BIRBA in Uptown Palm Springs, made possible with the support of Qulture Qreative, and is curated by Sarah Scheideman of The Coachella Valley Art Scene.

This month we are really excited to bring the craft of iPhone art into the spotlight. We have been inspired by following Aaron Hansen (@aaronhansenistomorrowman), Rick Rodriguez (@ibelieveinfunk) and Steven Preston (@stevenbpreston) on Instagram. These three creatives have shown us that your cellular phone isn’t just a communication device and that Instagram isn’t the only place where your edited iPhone pix should live. From the screen of your phone to the palm of your hand, they’ve taken their everyday musings and made them into tangible pieces of art. Overall, we love the concept, but we love the quality of products they have came up with even more.

In AOK’s (Art of Kraft) third installment, last one of this season, we are excited to bring you a variety of local artists . Featuring new works from Maya Kalabic, Angela Kinley, Aaron Hansen, Rick Rodriguez, Steven Preston, Cakefetti, and Wane Kan. We are looking forward to getting picked up for another season! To make this happen please come out and support – art, crafts, drinks and great food abound. Looking forward to seeing you there.

More information on AOK here: http://www.facebook.com/events/311643085587322/

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on his iPhone Art, Instaprints

The CVAS: Describe the pieces of work that you are bringing to the AOK Art Show this Sunday.

Rick Rodriguez: Most of the art I will be displaying on Sunday is known as iPhone Art. In art form of this craft we take art that is created 100% on an iPhone and transfer on to a hand crafted piece of wood that is prepped for a one of a kind piece of art.

Rick Rodriguez - instaprints - iphone art

The CVAS: You are showcasing your iPhone art, but you haven’t always been just an iPhone artist…. what is your creative background?

Rick Rodriguez: I’ve played music from a young age. It was a great way to express myself through music. I slowly transferred my music into a visual form via sketches using Photoshop and other digital platforms…

The CVAS: The iPhone seems to be a new creative tool for you… what is your work flow on the iPhone? App of choice?

Rick Rodriguez: Well, I think I start by finding a place and object to photograph that really inspires me. Then I use various iPhone Apps to really find a creative way to bring out essence of the object, person, place. I really can’t just choose one App because I use so many, but I do know one App that I would not be able to do with out and that is “Montage”… that’s top secret though!! (laughs)

The CVAS: How is photographing on an iPhone different then from a regular digital camera?

Rick Rodriguez: Well there are a lot of pros and cons on this subject – too many to name! The biggest pro that I love is having one work space. Just being able to take a photo, edit, and post all on one device. You cant go wrong. I really like that almost anybody can be a photographer with these phones because not everybody can afford a digital camera, Photoshop, and editing software. We need more creative expression…photography or any other art form.

The CVAS: Are there other iPhone artists that you admire? Some instagram profiles that you like?

Rick Rodriguez: There definitely is @hallwood, @merekdavis and newest artiest to come across @qtq3 and @chucknewham.

The CVAS: Your iPhone evolves around the desert… you focus on a particular aspect of the desert… why and what is it about this particular subject that interests/inspires you?

Rick Rodriguez: I love the the desert and every thing it has to offer, it really keeps me searching for new places to photograph. I have probably captured only about 10% of the desert and it keeps me looking for more. Nature is all around us. Some people just don’t have time to see these places so I’m constantly looking for new hikes to go on and new objects to capture. It’s been less about “look where I’ve been” and more about sharing whats around us.

To check out and purchase Rick Rodriguez’s Instaprints you must attend the AOK (Art of Kraft) art show this Sunday at Birba in Uptown Palm Springs at 622 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA from 11:00am – 2:00pm. Free, all ages.

More information on AOK & artists here: