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| Alumni 50th Anniversary Special Photo Issue |
December
13-17 1999
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 He
sat everywhere, scribbling away, illustrating his first ever Tournament
of the Roses Parade float at the ripe young age of 14 and a half years
old. He hasn't stopped scribbling since.
Raul Rodriguez, CSULB alumni, has won more awards than any other designer in the history of the Rose Parade. The 1970 graduate of CSULB with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drawing, painting and illustrating has a philosophy he uses to guide him through all works he produces. "To entertain by recreating diverse dramatic themes drawn from nature and the rich cornucopia of the world's cultures," Rodriguez said. "To replay concepts from the whimsical to the exotic in a larger-than life presentations that allow me to relate to the wonders of life in a bold unique art form." Rodriguez is a classically trained artist in drawing and painting and showcases his exclusive ideals through three different production companies. Fiesta Parade Floats, Fiestival Artists, and Charisma will feature 20 of his floats in this year's Rose Parade.
But Rodriguez wasn't always so organized. Back in the day he had a project due and put it off until the night before. He stayed up all night and finished it. "It was good," said Rodriguez. Dick Oden, his professor and adviser, saw right through Rodriguez's sluffness and graded him accordingly. So, the next project, Rodriguez worked diligently on it and aced it. "But he ruined my mat," recalled Rodriguez. "He wrote on the top of it with a big permanent red A. Dick Oden was someone who believed in me and I believed in him. I had the greatest respect for his talent. In fact, he'd take time to discuss future endeavors. He gave that extra boost of hope. He taught me to dig deep into myself." He loved the collegiate experience, even though he worked 28 hours a week while maintaining 16 units a semester. With all that, he didn't have time for extra curricular activities. Except the occasional sporting event. Besides illustrating for prestigious gaming establishments, retail, restaurants, wineries, and major entertainment companies he spends his remaining time with friends that he considers family. Many still ask though why, with all that talent, he still designs floats. "Part of the arts of entertainment. It's
visual beauty. Nurturing. It's a challenge. I am allowed to bring the cultures
of the world together every New Year's morning. When I ride in the parade
(on one of his designs) I see the total diversity that is Los Angeles hand
in hand for five and one half miles. It's an incredible feeling. What a
better way to start the New Year."
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Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach |
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Designer
Raul Rodriguez:
"I
have the great distinction and pleasure of working during the year with
hundreds of people, and at the end of the year we decorate with thousands
of people. And on the first day of the year, we present it to millions
of people," said Rodriguez."It's very incredible."
