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grafera

@[email protected]

Lifelong Digital Artist / Emerging Oil Painter
Queer • Anarchist • Anti-Perfectionism Action

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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

In the last month I have drawn 15 memorial portraits for those killed by ICE— Just short of halfway through the list for 2025. Really feeling the enormity of this project.
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/memorial-portraits.html

A grid of 15 brightly colored memorial portraits of those killed by ICE from January 2025 to early September 2025.
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One afternoon on Sauvie Island and I checked many special birds off my list for 2026.

Digital color sketches of Red-breasted Sapsucker, Great Blue Heron, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, and Trumpeter Swan.

Digital color sketches of Red-breasted Sapsucker, Great Blue Heron, Northern Shoveler, Ruddy Duck, Northern Pintail, and Trumpeter Swan.
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Four new memorial portraits for those killed by ICE in April and May last year.

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/memorial-portraits.html

A portrait sketch of Nhỏn Ngọc Nguyễn, 1970-2025
A portrait sketch of Marie Ange Blaise, 1980-2025
A portrait sketch of Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado, 1957-2025

A portrait sketch of Abelardo Avellaneda-Delgado, 1957-2025
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🔹 It’s been lovely to see so many portraits of Renee Good from artists in the last weeks, and I can’t help but feel that all those killed by ICE deserve the same kind of acknowledgement. I will be drawing every one we know of from the last year, Renee Good included.
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/memorial-portraits.html

An array of digital portrait thumbnails in Procreate
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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

Some backyard bird sketches for the bird log~
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/sketchbook/bird-log-3.html

Digital color sketches of Song Sparrow, California Scrub-Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, European Starling, Dark-eyed Junco, and American Crow
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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

I've been birding for a couple of years now, but I’ve decided that I will actually log and draw each type of bird I identify in 2026. I saw 14 bird species in the first two days, so I have some catching up to do.

Digital color sketches of Canada Goose, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Red-tailed Hawk

Digital color sketches of Canada Goose, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Red-tailed Hawk
ALT
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Cathedral Park — oil on linen panel — 2022
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/oil/cathedral-park.html

An impressionistic oil painting of warm glowing autumn trees backdropped by a pale blue hillside.
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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

I added a new sketchbook section to my archive— a curated collection of sketches, explorations, and unfinished works from the last few years.
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/sketchbook/

A collage of sketches, explorations, and unfinished works by Luka
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Cherry Tree Autumn — oil on copper panel — 2022
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/oil/cherry-tree-autumn.html

Oil painting of a cherry tree in vibrant warm tones against a blue sky
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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

Pleased to announce that you can now buy many of my original oil paintings on my website.
🔗 https://grafera.zone/shop/

An array of staggered oil paintings propped up on a workbench.
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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

Print orders over $60 ship for free until the end of the month~
🔗 https://buyolympia.com/Artist/Luka+Grafera

An array of framed graphic posters spread out on a table. The first reads "turn your trauma into solidarity — your struggle is my struggle" with three illustrated hands holding a rock, a lit firework, and a lit Molotov cocktail, respectively, surrounded by flames. The second reads "our oppressors will never keep up with the love and joy we create" with two illustrated finches stringing a line of police tape over a nest built atop spiraling razor wire on a fence. The third reads "the future is made of choices— direct action now" with illustrated bolt cutters planted in the ground, surrounded by vining and blossoming morning glory.
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PDX: If you've been wanting to get more involved in jail support, but aren't sure how to start, this event is for you! Flyer downloads available here ↓

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/illustrations/cjs-onboarding-flyer.html

An event flyer that reads: Community Jail Support Onboarding. Info Session / Q&A / Shift Sign-up. September 28th at 1pm, Colonel Summers Park. + Free supplies, to get you started! The flyer is lettered and illustrated in a graphic style, with hands arranging a display of distro supplies.
ALT
grafera OP ,
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I love doing jail support because it feels like an efficient and powerful use of my care. All I have do is get some supplies, coordinate with a friend to meet downtown, and show up ready to be kind. Suddenly I’m making a massive impact on people’s lives at a critical moment, completely autonomously.

When I encounter people walking out of jail disoriented and worried about how they’re going to contact loved ones, find their way, and get their basic needs met, and I see their demeanor shift after I offer them solutions, that’s all the reinforcement I need to keep doing it every week.

Cops send people off with a complete disregard for their survival and wellbeing, and cruelty is the point. We can stop the trauma of incarceration in its tracks by meeting people the moment they exit and showing them we care what happens to them. Come out tomorrow (9/28) and learn how to start!

@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

These three oil paintings will be featured in an art exhibition and fundraiser auction next week in Portland. DM me for details!

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/protest-landscapes.html

Timelapse video showing the painting process of three protest landscapes.

grafera OP ,
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You can still bid on my paintings in the fundraiser auction through Friday! Ask me how!

@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

Made a jail support guide, formatted for print and web.
🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/community-jail-support-pdx-2025-guide.html

@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

🔹 Today is the four year anniversary of the release of my illustration “Portland — Year of Protest”.

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/portland-year-of-protest.html

@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

I can't believe it's been 5 years.
Portland – Year of Protest 🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/illustrations/portland-year-of-protest.html

A close-up of the north side of the map depicting people gathered outside of Dan Ryan's house, a vehicular attack by a pickup truck in front of the PPA (which is on fire), Portland Police stepping off a riot van and attacking protesters with pepper spray and tear gas, a zine distribution event, people gathered around a campfire and outside of a barricade at RHED, a food truck providing meals to protesters, individuals providing direct aid, a group of people marching with signs and a banner that says "Say His Name: George Floyd", people debloccing behind a dumpster, people in a pickup truck labeled "Medic" being harassed by a cop, protesters with umbrellas guarding protesters with tools from press outside of the Democratic Party of Oregon (which is on fire) National Lawyers Guild Members being shoved by a cop while interacting with an arrestee, and a cluster of protesters linking arms and holding onto one another while cops assault them outside the North Precinct (which is on fire).
A close-up of the west side of the map depicting a fascist being knocked off his bike, a vandalized Starbucks, cops charging toward protesters from behind a burning picnic table in front of Ted Wheeler’s condo (which is on fire), a group of protesters doing the Macarena, fascist media holding a press conference, a waterfront memorial with candles, various clashes between protesters and cops, National Lawyers Guild members and medics tending to protesters who have been attacked by feds amid tear gas outside of Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse (which is on fire), protesters with signs and memorial materials gathered outside of Pioneer Courthouse (which is on fire), individuals performing various roles during the Fed Wars, a protester throwing a molotov at a cop line, a group celebrating two toppled statues, the JFPK march departing from City Hall (which is on fire), and a brawl between antifascists and far-right demonstrators outside the Justice Center (which is on fire).
A close-up of the southeast side of the map depicting a march following a pickup truck surrounded by bike corkers, a conflict between people at a tent encampment and cop-supported Rapid Response Bio Clean, two cops on motorcycles, a riot line at a stand-off with protesters, cops assaulting protesters with impact weapons and tear gas outside of MCSO Hawthorne (which is on fire), a dumpster fire, mutual aid tents providing clothes and snacks, people picking up trash, multiple arrests outside of Penumbra Kelly Building (which is on fire), a line of protesters opposing a riot line amid tear gas in front of East Precinct (which is on fire), a protester throwing a molotov while another protester catches on fire, LRAD, children being provided respirators, protester shield training, shieldsmiths building plastic shields for protesters, medics tending to injured protesters, a group toppling a statue of Harvey Scott, and protesters heckling cops from outside a line of police tape.

A close-up of the southeast side of the map depicting a march following a pickup truck surrounded by bike corkers, a conflict between people at a tent encampment and cop-supported Rapid Response Bio Clean, two cops on motorcycles, a riot line at a stand-off with protesters, cops assaulting protesters with impact weapons and tear gas outside of MCSO Hawthorne (which is on fire), a dumpster fire, mutual aid tents providing clothes and snacks, people picking up trash, multiple arrests outside of Penumbra Kelly Building (which is on fire), a line of protesters opposing a riot line amid tear gas in front of East Precinct (which is on fire), a protester throwing a molotov while another protester catches on fire, LRAD, children being provided respirators, protester shield training, shieldsmiths building plastic shields for protesters, medics tending to injured protesters, a group toppling a statue of Harvey Scott, and protesters heckling cops from outside a line of police tape.
ALT
@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

🔹 "When I stopped by the merch table for my favorite folk punk band Rent Strike after their Portland show last year and John said 'Wait, you’re an artist right? I love your art!’, I was elated. And I had to follow up to see if they were interested in collaborating."

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/break-the-manacles.html

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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

Happy May Day!
Hurrah! for Anarchy 🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/illustrations/hurrah-for-anarchy.html

A graphic composition featuring a curved page with the words “Hurrah For Anarchy” lettered in the style of Adolph Fischer’s Haymarket handbill typography. The page is framed by a wheat spike and a rose.
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@grafera@kolektiva.social avatar grafera , to random

🔹 "In celebration of May Day, this lettering composition is an homage to Adolph Fischer’s Haymarket handbills."

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/hurrah-for-anarchy.html

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🔹 "Animation was the ideal medium to capture the jarring uneasiness of being jolted from one atrocity to the next each moment on a social media feed."

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/we-must-never-move-on.html

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🔹 "If there’s a call to action associated with these, it’s not to repeat past tactics. It’s to remember how brave we were together, how we carved out little pockets of freedom and power out of reach of the state, and how relentlessly we fought to protect them."

🔗 https://grafera.zone/archive/blog/protest-landscapes.html