Taking a chance

By Jacob Stock

The Cuero Record

Rafael Acosta Jr. has always believed in his skill set. When his first opportunity came, there was a bit of hesitance from his customer. He made a deal that if the customer bought the paint, he would do the work. After that, work hasn’t slowed down. 

Uniqueness is one of the several measurables you will find in Rafael Acosta Jr.’s work. After 25 years of pursuing his dream here in his hometown of Cuero, he could not have scripted a better story and journey. 

“It was a bold step,” said Acosta in reference to making the decision to stay local. “It took some courage to do that especially here in [Cuero]. Some people, even my friends, said to me that there was a little bit of lunacy to do it here because they said I should be in Houston or Dallas. I even had some friends up North tell me to come up there but I didn’t, I stayed here and things have just snowballed, it hasn’t quit.”

Acosta, a 1976 Cuero High School graduate, has his murals fingerprinted all over DeWitt County and Texas. His work is truly one of a kind. 

“I had a real close friend say to me, I think you have met the area, you should reconsider. Then here comes a tidal wave, and another one,  it just hasn’t seized,” explained Acosta.

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