The sound of Trumpets mixed with guitars and a raspy voice that sings lyrics of love and feelings have made ranchera music a symbol of a community that feels represented by these sounds; not only in Mexico, beyond its borders as well.

The magic of ranchera music is the one that Rafael Lopez, a conceptual illustrator born in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico) and educated in San Diego, seeks to convey through his art.

“My inspiration comes from music, cinema, thousands of things that I see when I go out to the street and new things that I get to know,” Lopez said to Al Día News. “I want to communicate to people the way I see mariachi, and its history through the years.”

In 2012, Rafael López designed a series of stamps for the postal service of the United States inspired by iconic Latin musicians like Carlos Gardel, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and Selena. It was called ‘Latin Legends’ and made part of a permanent collection of the Postal Service.

I wanted to do something that felt nostalgic and emotional.

Ten years later, López has been called again to illustrate a series of stamps inspired in mariachi music.

“I wanted to do something that felt nostalgic and emotional, a combination of my life, the way I saw mariachi and what they really were in history,” says Lopez, who was also inspired by the old parks, which is where mariachi started to be played at the start of last century.

This artistic achievement is very important because the Postal Service only chooses 20 themes for its stamps. They must have history and represent a community of the United States. For this reason, it is so relevant that mariachi is part of this concept of latinhood that is brewing in this country.

“The truth is that there are not enough themes at the Postal Service of the United States that celebrate the Latino contribution. That’s why this collection is so important,” noted the artist. 

Art can change people’s lives and get the community together.

His advice for all those new artists that want to continue contributing to the recognition of Latin people in the world, Rafael Lopez suggests having a lot of patience and getting everything you can from life because it “flies”.

“I tell them to search inside of them and not to fear expressing themselves, not to mind that the public will judge them because art can change people’s lives and get the community together,” said at the end.

The complete collection of stamps will be sold at all postal offices of the country around July. Those who are interested can get them to send letters or collect these beautiful illustrations made by the hands of this Mexican artist.