BlackNLA - African American Los Angeles

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Isidra Person-Lynn
The PR Person
(323) 295-7911
Isidra@prperson.com

Painting a Picture of Peace:
Jesse Raudales Selected as an Official Artist of the 2006 Olympics

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 February, the grand opening of the art show featuring his submission “Peace for the Children of the World” will open in California, travel to New York, then move on to Torino, Italy. However, as it stands now, he won’t be able to be there.

“I am just thankful to have been selected,” said Raudales. “Just the fact that the face of my son will be featured all over the world makes me happy.”

But not so fast, Jesse. A coalition of friends and supporters are determined to have Jesse live this dream to its fullest and have embarked on a campaign to raise the $30,000 needed for travel, lodging and other expenses as he travels with the exhibit.

Jesse’s story is one that draws people to him and his life’s path has brought him to these crossroads of cultures and experiences:

Born dead, then having risen, made him a deity. Being named Jesus, made to wear long hair, burlap robes and sandals made him a liability. 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 6 others (including Peter Maxx and Jane Seymour) for the 2006 Olympics, he will experience celebrity, and his friends hope prosperity.

Yes, you read his life story correctly. His bio reads:

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 cradle her newborn infant into her arms, before they took the baby where “they normally take babies born dead.”

As Mrs. Raudales held her infant, she prayed that life would breathed into his little body and vowed to name him after the Savior “Jesus” and the angel, “Guadeloupe.” Her prayers were answered, so she fulfilled her promise and until Jesse was five years old, she never had his haircut and she dressed him in burlap robes and sandals.

By the time the young bi-racial / bi-cultural Jesus Guadeloupe Raudales was five years old, his artistic talents were full bloom. But others kids were challenging him to walk on water. To his relief, his mother changed her son’s name to Jesse. With careful nurturing from his mother, he learned to respect his gift 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 beginning to make his first art mark in Hollywood. He designed logos and airbrushed fashions for celebrities such as MC Hammer, James Brown and more. In 1994, Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre wore his clothing designs. Jesse’s art was featured on TV shows and movies including Martin, Living Single and Higher Learning. He has also designed logos for Martin L. King III and the logo for the Miss USA Pageant for Donald Trump.

Who owns a Jesse Raudales Original? Miguel A. Nunez, Jr., Terence Howard, Guy Torry, Rick James, Tom Joyner, Mel Jackson, Ed Weinberg, Arif Kinchen, David Ramsey, Tracey C. Jones, Tom Joyner, Tommy Ford, Ed Weinberg, F. Gary Grey, Jazmin Lewis, Billy Preston, Ross Ryan, Darius McCary, Kym Whitley, David Ramsey and a host of celebrities. In 2003, Jesse Raudales teamed with celebrity actor, Tommy Ford, as the illustrator/designer of his children’s books “Be Still and Know” a 10 book series.

He has donated paintings 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. Also an inventor, he has a patent on his new invention, the “Safety Knee Crawlers” featured at www.wee-knees.com inspired by his partner Margaret A. Walker.

And no story about Jesse is complete without describing the love he has for his five year-old son Jesse, Jr. One day, not too long ago, Jesse’s friend Miguel Nuñez was dining with Jerry Goldsby. The subject of art came up and Nuñez blurted out, “I have a great artist. My friend, Jesse Raudales! Go to his website at www.jesseraudales.com.”

Goldsby took Nuñez up on his offer. He loved Jesse’s work and called Teri Bernardi, a well-connected person in the art world. She encouraged Jesse to enter the art competition for the 2006 Olympics.

The day Jesse was painting his final entry to the committee, his son Jesse Jr. sat watching him paint. Lil Jesse grabbed the camera and began to snap away. Jesse thought, "I have submitted paintings of all these athletes but the theme is peace for the children. When I am with my child, I am at peace.” So he sketched out Jesse Jr’s face and tucked a dove of peace under his cheek. That painting was the one selected.

Jesse was ecstatic to have been chosen. But he soon learned that each artist usually appeals for sponsorship, in order to help defray travel expenses and invest in merchandising opportunities. Winning was bitter sweet. “My main goal was to be where my paintings were going to be exhibited,” said Jesse, knowing that $30,000 seemed insurmountable. “But I am just honored to have been selected.”

Most other Olympic artists such as Peter Maxx and Jane Seymour are independently wealthy. Traveling to Italy is not even a second thought for them. Jesse, on the other hand, needs more than air fare. He needs money to pay the bills in his extended absence from his day job as a graphic designer at Uniform Warehouse & Accessories.

Jesse’s supporters are hoping to find corporate sponsors that will be able to merchandise products using Jesse’s art. Passing the hat might get Jesse there, but he will need much more to maintain a place for him to paint with a room for Jesse Jr.

Persons who wish to assist Jesse in his Olympic quest may send donations to Jesse Raudales, P.O. Box 859 Hollywood Way # 286, Burbank CA 91601 or stop by
www.jesseraudales.com for more information. His email address is jraudales@earthlink.net.

-www.jesseraduales.com-

--30--




			Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Isidra Person-Lynn The PR Person (323) 295-7911 Isidra@prperson.com Painting a Picture of Peace: Jesse Raudales Selected as an Official Artist of the 2006 Olympics 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 February, the grand opening of the art show featuring his submission “Peace for the Children of the World” will open in California, travel to New York, then move on to Torino, Italy. However, as it stands now, he won’t be able to be there. “I am just thankful to have been selected,” said Raudales. “Just the fact that the face of my son will be featured all over the world makes me happy.” But not so fast, Jesse. A coalition of friends and supporters are determined to have Jesse live this dream to its fullest and have embarked on a campaign to raise the $30,000 needed for travel, lodging and other expenses as he travels with the exhibit. Jesse’s story is one that draws people to him and his life’s path has brought him to these crossroads of cultures and experiences: Born dead, then having risen, made him a deity. Being named Jesus, made to wear long hair, burlap robes and sandals made him a liability. 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 6 others (including Peter Maxx and Jane Seymour) for the 2006 Olympics, he will experience celebrity, and his friends hope prosperity. Yes, you read his life story correctly. His bio reads: 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 cradle her newborn infant into her arms, before they took the baby where “they normally take babies born dead.” As Mrs. Raudales held her infant, she prayed that life would breathed into his little body and vowed to name him after the Savior “Jesus” and the angel, “Guadeloupe.” Her prayers were answered, so she fulfilled her promise and until Jesse was five years old, she never had his haircut and she dressed him in burlap robes and sandals. By the time the young bi-racial / bi-cultural Jesus Guadeloupe Raudales was five years old, his artistic talents were full bloom. But others kids were challenging him to walk on water. To his relief, his mother changed her son’s name to Jesse. With careful nurturing from his mother, he learned to respect his gift 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 beginning to make his first art mark in Hollywood. He designed logos and airbrushed fashions for celebrities such as MC Hammer, James Brown and more. In 1994, Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre wore his clothing designs. Jesse’s art was featured on TV shows and movies including Martin, Living Single and Higher Learning. He has also designed logos for Martin L. King III and the logo for the Miss USA Pageant for Donald Trump. Who owns a Jesse Raudales Original? Miguel A. Nunez, Jr., Terence Howard, Guy Torry, Rick James, Tom Joyner, Mel Jackson, Ed Weinberg, Arif Kinchen, David Ramsey, Tracey C. Jones, Tom Joyner, Tommy Ford, Ed Weinberg, F. Gary Grey, Jazmin Lewis, Billy Preston, Ross Ryan, Darius McCary, Kym Whitley, David Ramsey and a host of celebrities. In 2003, Jesse Raudales teamed with celebrity actor, Tommy Ford, as the illustrator/designer of his children’s books “Be Still and Know” a 10 book series. He has donated paintings 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. Also an inventor, he has a patent on his new invention, the “Safety Knee Crawlers” featured at www.wee-knees.com inspired by his partner Margaret A. Walker. And no story about Jesse is complete without describing the love he has for his five year-old son Jesse, Jr. One day, not too long ago, Jesse’s friend Miguel Nuñez was dining with Jerry Goldsby. The subject of art came up and Nuñez blurted out, “I have a great artist. My friend, Jesse Raudales! Go to his website at www.jesseraudales.com.” Goldsby took Nuñez up on his offer. He loved Jesse’s work and called Teri Bernardi, a well-connected person in the art world. She encouraged Jesse to enter the art competition for the 2006 Olympics. The day Jesse was painting his final entry to the committee, his son Jesse Jr. sat watching him paint. Lil Jesse grabbed the camera and began to snap away. Jesse thought, "I have submitted paintings of all these athletes but the theme is peace for the children. When I am with my child, I am at peace.” So he sketched out Jesse Jr’s face and tucked a dove of peace under his cheek. That painting was the one selected. Jesse was ecstatic to have been chosen. But he soon learned that each artist usually appeals for sponsorship, in order to help defray travel expenses and invest in merchandising opportunities. Winning was bitter sweet. “My main goal was to be where my paintings were going to be exhibited,” said Jesse, knowing that $30,000 seemed insurmountable. “But I am just honored to have been selected.” Most other Olympic artists such as Peter Maxx and Jane Seymour are independently wealthy. Traveling to Italy is not even a second thought for them. Jesse, on the other hand, needs more than air fare. He needs money to pay the bills in his extended absence from his day job as a graphic designer at Uniform Warehouse & Accessories. Jesse’s supporters are hoping to find corporate sponsors that will be able to merchandise products using Jesse’s art. Passing the hat might get Jesse there, but he will need much more to maintain a place for him to paint with a room for Jesse Jr. Persons who wish to assist Jesse in his Olympic quest may send donations to Jesse Raudales, P.O. Box 859 Hollywood Way # 286, Burbank CA 91601 or stop by www.jesseraudales.com for more information. His email address is jraudales@earthlink.net. -www.jesseraduales.com- --30--