Naturally gifted with a broad observation of everyday life and the cultural landscape in the world we live, Toons One’s creations embody a rich imagination and is a soulful interpretation of everyday life. Toons was born in Los Angeles CA, his interest in art began at age 3 after being introduced to the LA. Street mural scene in the early 70’s. He developed a love for painting and drawing influenced heavily by his mother. In the early 80’s LA. was entranced by the Hip hop scene and Toons One started popping/locking became a graffiti art master and later began Dj.ing. He then decided that “style writing” would be not only his choice of expression but also his way to make a living. By incorporating many aspects of California street art, automotive customizing,60’s art thoroughly mixed with pop abstract and neatly served with a hip hop twist!
Toons One is a well, established international artist and muralist who known for his creative style by utilizing various techniques and mediums. He works with a variety of materials ranging from oil-based sign paints, acrylic, ink and dry mediums, spray cans and automotive painting. He projects range from; album cover illustration, pinstriping/ custom painting, graffiti/mural painting, skateboard graphics, sculpture, furniture design and construction, interior/structural design, event/exhibition curator, product design/consultation and art direction. Toons One’s projects has continued to take him around the globe in search for interesting projects to be participate and be a part of the creative scope of cultural diversity.
Toons continues to explore through a world of “style writing” typography, Chroma-therapy presenting striking color and leaving a cultural representation of powerful imagery. His style of painting varies and is based on the desire of his clients in commercial or private works and the insightfulness to bring their vision to fruition.
Mostly self-taught with the fortunate exceptions of being “schooled” by some of Toons One’s creative hero’s. Although he had to focus mainly on commercial works to pay the bills, Toons is no stranger to creating a variety of “fine art” pieces and continues to move steadily in that direction.
He feels his self-given title student/teacher/master will span the entirety of this his experience here
and is enjoying every moment of it! Exploring through a world of “style writing” typography, Chroma- therapy, cultural representation, striking color and powerful images. Toons One like to keep on foot firmly in the past while moving the other foot forward to the future
incorporating many hand made things from his custom edged wooden frames to recycled pieces of metal, plastic, paper and interesting found objects. He projects range from; album cover illustration, pinstriping/ custom painting, graffiti/mural painting, skateboard graphics, sculpture, furniture design and construction, interior/structural design, event/exhibition curator, product design/con saltation and art direction. Toons One’s projects take him around the globe, and he continues to search for interesting projects to be participate on.
Toons One has been teaching officially as well as non- officially for over 15 years. And has worked with Los Angeles Unified School District, Sacrament Unified School District, In Berlin, Stuttgart and Mexico City. As a member of “Earth Crew 2000” helped to Pioneer the flourishing graffiti scene in Mexico and worked closely with the youth Organization CPJ in Neza and surrounding districts in Mexico City in 1991 and because of the overwhelming success of the workshops were invited again the following year. Toons along with his Crew brother Refa One created their own self-styled “Hip-Hop” curriculum and they are streamlining it to be circulated in all around the world. Toons one and his Crew TCB have done many communities outreach programs with great success, and it has evolved into the workshops given during their acclaimed graffiti art show series named “Aerosol”
Toons One has done projects for many interesting companies both public and private as well as participated and curated art exhibitions in the US and
abroad. And continues to paint live on various hip hop jams and graffiti art events.
Artist Statement:
Art and Creativity are two very different things and therefore I define the thing I do as “creating” I view art as its defined by most something that is a disposable projection of oneself. And “Creation or creating” is direct irreplaceable reflection of oneself. My primary medium choice “style writing” aka graffiti and a hip hop base gives me one of the best ways to express reflect my state of mind at any given moment in any given place and in any given medium. Knowledge of self being expressed.
Creativity is something that is priceless and irreplaceable in any society and when cultivated has left many “timeless” reflections that people will forever enjoy and be inspired from. I myself being a student/teacher/ master continually strive to discover the inner mysteries to self in order to radiate the
light to make this experience a truly incredible journey! keep creating!
