Raz Forh

You mentioned that you started painting accidentally just 10 months ago. Can you tell us more about that moment — what led you to pick up a brush for the first time?

I first picked up a brush because I wanted to paint the cover for an album I was working on. The end result was amateur, but still had a glimpse of potential so I kept at it almost to a point of obession because I wanted to unlock what I was envisioning internally, but I could only achieve it through a rigorous practice.

How has your background in underground hip hop and music production influenced your painting?

I have a small fanbase for my music that Ive managed to cultivate through years of releasing records and they appreciate my view of the world in general one might say, and I think it sort of gives me the confidence to express my vision through a paintbrush a little more fluidly than the typical beginner would, if that makes sense.

Raz Forh | Mob

Your works feature a strong emotional charge and raw energy — how would you describe your artistic style?

I would describe my style as kind of like the “iron fist in a velvet glove” aesthetic. I may paint something harsh beautifully or something beautiful harshly. Sometimes its all of the above but I think it depends on how patient I can be. Patience is the x factor. The more I can lock in and not rush the process the better the brushwork may be but it doesnt always mean its the best painting, so I just let my artistic self bleed through.

Do you have any artistic influences, whether visual or musical, that shaped your creative vision?

Growing up as a part of the hip hop community Im pretty much influenced by all the classic gritty films and albums that have come out over the decades. Being a producer keeps me listening to music from all over the world due to sample searching. I might be listening to Wu Tang one minute and a Soviet jazz band the next. I also love black and white films, I’m somewhat a film buff. Ive studied many good and bad films and have directed videos myself so my eye is a trained to recognize magic if its there I might say.

My thing is to paint freely yet show great technique. Im inspired by painterly styles like Sargent and such but using acrylic doesnt allow me the range that oil does yet Im trying to get the same effect, but when its all said and done I’d like to awe the world the same as the likes of my favorites like Molino, Caravaggio etc. I enjoy a lot of different artists.

What emotions or messages do you hope viewers feel or receive when they look at your paintings?

I want people to feel fear from a safe place. I want them to remember when the odds were stacked against them but they won anyway. I want them to feel the revenge they deserve and be inspired to go out in the world and be themselves no matter how much they feel supressed. To me this is art. Getting comfortable with the uncomfortabilities of life and finding our true strength.

How does your creative process usually begin? Do you sketch ideas first, or do you approach the canvas spontaneously?

I stare at the blank canvas like a crazy person for 5+ minutes, grab a pencil and eraser and make a few scratchy marks so I know my proportions for the composition and then I get to building. Its a very peaceful process although so much is going on in my head at the time.

Since your art career started so recently, what has surprised you the most about this journey so far?

The most surprising thing is being good enough to even be recognized in anyway. Painting was literally an accident in my life like an illegitimate child or something. I never thought I would paint anything, let alone get my name or work published anywhere. I was just homeless a few years ago too living in a tent so all of this is very surreal to me. Almost like one of lifes cruel jokes in a way. This journey is proving to me that you can never give up because you really dont know what tomorrow holds for you. Life is very mysterious sometimes, I had no idea I could paint this way and it just revealed itself to me on a fluke. Don’t let your bad luck make you forget good luck still exists. Whats for us no one can take.