California Summer Camp 2022 at Redwood National Park
California Summer Camp 2022 at Redwood National
August 30, 2026
From the perspective of an Erguvan member, Dilara:
Behind the Scenes of My First Auctorium Shoot
Every artist has a story beyond the work we see, and my first Auctorium shoot gave me the chance to experience exactly that.
Our artist for the day was Angel Rafael Vázquez Concepción, a Puerto Rican painter and teacher whose work explores his love for abstraction, bold colors, expressive shapes, and forms. Rafael’s artistic perspective is deeply personal. His grandmother has been an important influence in his life, while his research into other artists, artistic movements, and different periods of art history continues to shape the way he approaches his own work.
What stood out to me was Rafael’s belief that being an artist is not defined by fame or recognition. For him, art is also about learning, sharing, teaching, and contributing to a community. That philosophy becomes especially meaningful considering his own role as both an artist and an educator, and the importance he places on the people around him.
From the moment we arrived, his home felt like a natural extension of that creative world. Before we even had time to unpack our cameras, Rafael welcomed us warmly and immediately drew us into conversation.
He began by showing us his fascinating collection of glass objects, explaining their craftsmanship and even some of the science behind them. As we explored the house, he shared books, artwork, collections, and objects that inspired him.
At some point, I realized: we hadn’t officially started filming, but the story had already begun.
So I picked up my camera.
What I loved was that nothing changed. There was no sudden performance for the camera. Rafael continued speaking with exactly the same warmth and enthusiasm as before.
As we made our way upstairs, the hallways were filled with his artwork, eventually leading us to his studio. The workspace was organized and personal, surrounded by books, references, colors, and objects reflecting the research behind his creative process. Even the garden, I later discovered, had been personally designed by him—another reminder that his creativity extended far beyond the canvas.
The interview itself was just as genuine. What could have been a short twenty-minute conversation became nearly fifty minutes of thoughtful answers and stories. Rafael spoke openly about his art, his Puerto Rican roots, teaching, community, the artists and periods that inspire him, and the people and experiences that have shaped his perspective.
Even after we stopped recording, the experience continued. Knowing that we were Turkish, Rafael took the time to show us pieces from his collection connected to Ottoman history and culture. It was a small but personal gesture that stayed with me.
This was my first shoot with Auctorium, and I could not have asked for a better introduction.
I left realizing that documenting an artist is about much more than filming finished work. It is about understanding where that work comes from—the people, culture, research, history, community, spaces, and experiences behind it.
And sometimes, the best parts of the story begin before you even press record.
I’m grateful to the Auctorium team for giving me the opportunity to be part of this experience, and I’m excited for everyone to see what we captured.
California Summer Camp 2022 at Redwood National
ArtkidsUP Online Art School Thanksgiving Break Art
Winter 2022: A Fun-Filled Week at the
A Spectacular 4th of July Celebration with