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Jesse Raudales and His Eclectic Body of Art Olympian Artist Compared to Michelangelo

June 24, 2007 (Los Angeles, CA) – “Jesse Raudales is the Michelangelo of our time,” boasts celebrity Tommy Ford (Hitched; Martin) who has known Raudales for over a decade. This is an appropriate sobriquet given that this Olympian’s intense spirituality has been compared to the Italian Renaissance artist due to their similar talents of painting, sculpting, inventions and writing. Jesse also adds professional illustrator, graphic artist and designer to his list of accomplishments. Finding his inspiration from his faith, surroundings and his Latin and African American cultures, Jesse Raudales has emerged from his humble beginnings to become an Olympic artist of the 2006 Winter Games alongside other recognizable talents including Peter Maxx and Jane Seymore. Raudales’ artwork has been honored by many organizations throughout the last several years and he is currently being sought after by international galleries who are interested in showcasing his eclectic body of art.

 His culled body of work embraces various themes depending on his mood. From nudes to abstracts; athletics to famous personalities, and spiritual to political; Raudales has given his fans a complete and well-rounded body of work to appreciate. “I am a mood-painter,” said Jesse Raudales, Olympic artist. “Sometimes I see something on television, like when Katrina happened, and it motivates me to capture the moment on canvas.” Many people have told me that I need to stick with one “look” or one “feel” to my paintings. But I just can’t do that. Why do I have to place myself in a small box when I can see so much beauty in the open air?” The painting, “Katrina” has become a favorite in the Raudales collection, which depicts a young boy drinking from a garden hose after the rise of the horrific hurricane. Raudales juxtaposed strong colors of green and brown to simulate the hurricane’s effect on man and Earth bristled with the fear of contamination. One might feel as if he/she was surrounded by several artists’ talents when standing in the midst of a typical Jesse Raudales showing. Jesse’s artwork can be so diverse that it can fool even a longtime collector. His media is sorted and diverse, such as his popular RD Dunk series of a characterized basketball player, to his Lost Love series of women in Jesse’s past who still haunt his heart.

 In February, 2007, longtime friend and Academy Award nominee, Terrence Howard hosted the “Peace for the Children of the World” art show at C.C.H. Pounder’s (The Shield) Pounder Koné Artspace which revealed a series of paintings portraying children who had been victimized. The show was created to bring awareness to child abuse and hope for change. Raudales asked his son, Jessie Jr., to help him paint the series by creating the backgrounds on canvas and placing his own handprint on each commemorative piece. The gallery also featured an intermixture of abstracts, spirituals, personalities and nudes. Raudales also displayed his recreations of the original Olympic artwork, “Peace for the Children of the World”. Raudales is preparing for his next two shows in San Miguel and Los Angeles for fall. His plans include showcasing at the Miami Arts Festival in December and returning to New York in spring 2008. For b-roll, photos or to set up an interview with Jesse Raudales, please contact Alliance Worldwide Communications, Inc. at 818-990-3378 or htaylor@alliancewc.com

Bio of Jesus Raudales

For any artist, it would be a dream come true to be selected as one of the official artists for the 2006 Olympics.  That dream is now reality for Jesse Raudales, a North Hollywood based artist. In December of 2005, Jesse Raudales was named an official artist for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.  In February, the grand opening of Jesse’s painting, “Peace for the Children of the World,” opened in California, New York and at the Olympic Games in Torino, Italy.  Raudales has been honored by the NAACP, FBI and the EPICC Center.

Jesse’s story is one that draws people to him during his life’s path. Due to his extraordinary talent and crossroads of cultures and experiences, he has already died and has been born again. On May 21, 1970, Jesse Raudales was pronounced dead upon his arrival into this world. His Mother, believing strongly in the Power of God, would not accept the decision rendered by medical science. She seized the opportunity to firmly cradle her newborn infant into her arms and pray to God, before the doctors could take him away. It worked. His mother honored God by naming her newborn Jesus, allowing his hair to grow long, and clothing him in burlap robes and leather sandals until the age of 5.

As the young biracial / bi-cultural Jesus Guadeloupe Raudales grew up, his artistic talents began to bloom and his Mother noticed a prodigy artist in the making. But other kids were challenging him to walk on water, so to his relief, his mother changed her son’s name to Jesse.  With careful nurturing from his mother, he learned to respect his gifts and gave God the glory by expressing creativity through his art and designs. The talented African-Latin American artist was on his way.

At 7 years old, Jesse Raudales won first place in a statewide art show and a scholarship to attend the local Arts Council in his hometown, Wilson, North Carolina.  During his elementary and high school years, Jesse painted murals; mounted fashion shows and painted portraits of school teachers as well as the school’s best athletes as a tribute to his school, Ralph L. Fike High.  In 1990, with the guidance and help of his mentor, Roderick Taylor, Jesse attended the Arts Institute of Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in Fashion Design and Commercial Arts. 

By 1992, Jesse was making his first artistic mark in Hollywood. He had designed logos and airbrushed fashions for celebrities such as MC Hammer, James Brown and more. In 1994, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre were wearing his clothing designs. Jesse’s art was featured on film and television including Martin, Living Single and Higher Learning. His list of accomplishments also includes designing logos for Martin L. King III, basketball star, Dwayne Wade and the official logo for the Donald Trump’s, Miss USA Pageant.

Jesse Raudales is active in his community and continues to donate his originals to a variety of nonprofits including the Make a Wish Foundation, Zo’s Summer Grove, Sparks Of Hope, Inc., The OASIS, Hands united Together, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Growing up in a Mexican family in North Carolina made him a rarity. Having an African grandmother made him an oddity.  Surrounding himself with black friends who became famous bolstered his popularity. Being a family Man and fathering a son who made him feel at peace gave him clarity.  And now, having his art chosen along with 7 others (including Peter Maxx and Jane Seymour) for the 2006 Olympics, he will experience celebrity, and his Many friends hope--prosperity.

© 2005 This Website and all its contents, including but not limited to, all text, graphics, and images are copyrighted by Jesse Raudales. No duplication or reproduction is allowed without written permission.