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Of Catalan and Cuban ancestry, Jose Rafols lived and studied in Barcelona, Spain through the 1960s. In this “modernista” (Art Noveau) city, he immersed himself in what would become his life-long love affair with the visual arts by visiting art museums and salons exhibiting the work of local and international painters. At that time, Barcelona’s prominence in the nascent Bauhaus, Noveau and Surrealist movements provided him with much inspiration.
Rafols emigrated to the United States and obtained a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Kansas.
Upon completion of his degree, he began a 48-year long career in neurotrauma and stroke research. He also taught neuroscience to medical students at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. At Wayne, he held the position of professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology until his retirement in 2016. He and his wife Lori currently reside both in Valparaiso, IN and Kiawah Island, SC. He is a member of both Kiawah and Seabrook Island Art Guilds. During his long scientific career, Rafols published numerous line drawings of brain cells using integrated microscopic, camara lucida and computerized techniques. However only a few years before retirement, he began to understand the complexities of color, values and light intensity needed in depicting perspective and therefore, successful painting. This process was largely facilitated through his participation in workshops, demonstrations and critiques in the both above mentioned Guilds.
His preferred media are oils and acrylics and the subject matter for his painting is eclectic; ranging from the low country and mountain landscapes, local flora and fauna, as well as an occasional portrait done mostly in naturalistic/impressionistic styles.
There will be a reception honoring Rafols at The Lake House on Monday, Jan. 9, 4:30-6 p.m
