Rafael Mejia (b. 1992) is a first-generation Mexican Californian painter whose upbringing was shaped by rhythms of many worlds. While growing up in Riverside and San Diego County, he spent a lot of time between Southern California and Mexico. At his grandfather’s ranch in Coalcomán, Michoacán, he first encountered the mystery, veracity, and serenity of life—themes that continue to echo in his work.
Rafael’s practice began at Riverside City College and continued at Laguna College of Art and Design, earning his BFA in 2023. His paintings have been shown at Pain Sugar Gallery, Salt Fine Art, Billis Williams Gallery, Mountain Oyster Club, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Muzeo, Fullerton Museum Center, and Ontario Museum of History & Art. He currently lives and works from Orange County, continuing his studio practice while pursuing an MFA at California State University, Fullerton.
Education
California State University, Fullerton, MFA (currently)
Laguna College of Art & Design, BFA Summa Cum Laude, 2023
Riverside Community College, 2018
Exhibitions
Solo Show, Art Depot Gallery, Fontana, CA 2026 - Forthcoming
OC Made, Fullerton Museum Center, Fullerton, CA 2026
Muzeo 61st Annual Juried Art Show, Anaheim, CA 2025
41st Irvine Annual, Irvine, CA 2025
13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition. Ontario, CA 2025
Mountain Oyster Club’s 55th Annual Contemporary Western Art Show, Tucson, AZ 2024
“Origins”, collaboration with Mollie Ong, Pain Sugar Gallery, Riverside, CA 2024
BFA 2024 Fine Arts Exhibition, LCAD Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA 2024
The Future of the Figure, Billis Williams Gallery, Los Angeles, CA 2024
Altura Credit Union Artist Reach, The Cheech Center, Riverside, CA 2024
“LCAD Mentoring Program”, Salt Fine Art, Laguna Beach, CA 2023
Plotkin Award Exhibition, Plotkin Foundation, Lake Forest, CA 2022
“Locals Only”, group show at Gramercy Gallery, Riverside, CA 2021
Laguna Beach 2021 Juried Fine Art Exhibition, City Hall, Laguna Beach, CA 2021
Awards
First Place in Oil Painting, Muzeo 61st Annual Juried Art Show
Altura Credit Union Artist Reach & Artist Spotlight Purchase
LCAD Merit Scholarship
Plotkin Award, Plotkin Foundation
Publications & Interviews
“Artist to Watch: Art & Identity”, Southwest Art 2026
“Local Stories” feature, Voyage LA 2024
“Origins” Interview, Urge Palette, Riverside, CA 2024
Riverside Artswalk June Artists Spotlight, Riverside Arts Council, Riverside, CA 2024
Altura Credit Union Artist Reach Interview, The Cheech Center. Riverside, CA 2024
Teaching & Workshops
California State University of Fullerton, Teaching Assistant, Fullerton, CA 2026
Private Instruction, Online & In Person 2025
Painting Demo, Riverside Arts Council Artswalk, Riverside, CA 2025
Painting Demo, Pain Sugar Gallery, Riverside, CA 2024
Portrait Painting Workshop, Pain Sugar Gallery, Riverside, CA 2017-2019
CV