Zoom on Ratur’s creative process

Can you remind us who you are and your artistic practice?

My name is Arthur Maslard, alias Ratur. I’m a painter, originally from Le Havre and I’m a graffiti artist.

What is your background, how did you start to create?

My adolescence took place mainly in an urban environment, on a skateboard. It’s a very creative sport, always on the lookout for the slightest exploitable spot. Exactly the same way as in the practice of graffiti. I started graffiti in 2001, while studying graphic communication. I found there the same passion as in skateboarding, where we try to adapt to a place by being inspired by the environment which surrounds us. Technically and creatively, my work has been evolving ever since.

In your daily work as an artist, what inspires you? What is the trigger for the creation of a work?

At the moment I am very inspired by nature, I feel the need to be close to it. I dare to imagine that nature will take back its rights over man, my current series is a way to illustrate this. I am also always inspired by classical painting, impressionism, graphic design, abstract… of my brother the artist @Sckaro.

Concerning the trigger of creation, it’s hard to say, it’s a constant thought about how I could make my next works evolve. There are sometimes triggers but the creation part is the most difficult, it depends on the feelings of the daily life.

Can you explain us the way you build a work ? What are the different stages of creation?

My creative process is mainly digital but with a large part of drawing. I then interpret this research in a pictorial way. The idea is to keep a certain spontaneity and freedom on the form, the color and the treatment. I love the classical work of the palette but also the techniques close to those of the Flemish masters, grisaille, glaze for oil and wash for acrylic. It is also a constant research, my work in the studio helps me to evolve my techniques for the walls, and vice versa.

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