Ronnie “Conejo” Murillo is applying his newly acquired math skills to construct unique pieces of art.
Having been a craftsperson since his high school days, he has recently been able to level up his skills by utilizing arithmetic, measuring, and geometry techniques he learned in Ms. Lucas’s Adult Basic Education class.
“Life itself is a learning experience,” said the 68-year-old Murillo. “No matter how old I am, I try learn new things every day.”
Murillo began creating works of art when he participated in his high school’s hob-by program, building small projects such as cabinets.
In the 10th grade, he dropped out of school.
Coming from a family of nine brothers and three sisters, Murillo helped his father, a farm laborer, to support his family.
They worked in the areas surrounding Los Angeles, picking crops such as onions, tomatoes, peppers, cotton, and sugar beets.
Murillo turns recycled materials into works of art, including this fighter plane that utilizes a tiny motor to power the propeller.
Murillo’s piano in its early stages.
Murillo’s piano as a finished creation.
It wasn’t until he was incarcerated at the Eel River fire camp in the late 1980s that he resumed creating small pieces of art.
“Back then, we were allowed to buy materials in packages like router, glue, sandpaper, paint, and clear resin,” said Murillo. “We could also buy little parts to make clocks — like arms, motors, numbers, and glass.”
He said he also used to utilize makeshift materials such as the wood from fallen trees.
Murillo carries on this tradition today by improvising with available materials from his environment.
A lot of my materials could be junk that’s tossed away like trash, but with a little thinking and planning, an artist can turn those materials into something beautiful,” said Murillo.
He now uses materials such as Top Ramen boxes, lunch boxes, sandpaper, glue, paint, and scraps of cloth.
“My whole work is based on geometry because everything is measured and if you mess up just a little bit, then everything won’t fit together.” said Murillo, “After I cut out the shapes, I just glue them together like a puzzle.”
It is during the initial drafting process where Murillo finds his math skills most useful.
Using a ruler for measuring, a protractor for drawing angles, and working with mixed fractions are just a few of the specific skills that allow him to create the precise pieces he has in mind.
He then combines those pieces to create works of art, such as models of grand pianos and biplanes.
Most recently, he began attaching motors from old CD players, headphone wires and batteries to create spinning propellers on his model planes.
Murillo usually creates pieces for clients, who then send them home to their loved ones.
“Artwork has more meaning in the eye of the beholder once they understand the skills, dedication, and process behind the work,” said Murillo. “Who knows what I’ll make next?”
