Norman Rockwell was one of the most iconic American storytellers. Inspired by his work, I am diving into telling my stories as a teenager in the 90’s through the lens of Norman Rockwell.
My upcoming solo show, Storyteller, at Paradigm Gallery, will include black book illustrations that are 90’s urban recreations of Saturday Evening Post covers, with a nod to my start in graffiti at the time; still life paintings, each with a focus on a particular story of my own; and large-scale painting replicas of some of my favorite Norman Rockwell images.
Howard Pyle was another prolific American illustrator during Rockwell’s time. He encouraged “living in a subject,” rather than merely illustrating people and places. This idea of creating dynamic illustrations by connecting emotionally with a story, is where I found myself when creating this body of work. Stories, previously faded, came back to life, and gave me the opportunity to be a storyteller of my block.
I hope that viewers “identify [themselves] with the people and sense – that is, feel and smell the things naturally belonging there.” (H. Pyle)
For a collectors preview of the show, sign up here.
Join me on Friday April 4th for the opening of Storyteller, on view through April 27th.
Paradigm Gallery
12 North 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Art Outside
Back in September I had the opportunity to be a part of Conrad Benner and WHYY’s Art Outside, Season 2 podcast. I appreciate the platform to tell more of my story, share my art and my process of wheatpasting in the streets.
Listen to the Art Outside / Clones of Illadelph: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow podcast here.
Watch more from the conversation with Conrad at WHYY studios here.
Clones of Illadelph: Series 5
When I first decided to start the street series, ‘Clones of Illadelph’ I didn’t realize how much fun I would have recreating some of my favorite people from the City of Philadelphia.
I present to you Series 5, which I recently completed in the streets of Philly. It’s a continuing collection of portraits of those who have motivated, inspired and showed me love, like this one above, which is an amazing collaboration with Doomed Future.
To view the whole series click here.
Art Affairs
I have been a huge fan of Michael Faith’s Art Affairs Podcast since Episode #2 when he interviewed Jeremy Hush in 2019, so when he reached out to see if I would be interested in doing a podcast with him I jumped on the opportunity. He has interviewed a diverse group of artists, curators, and galleries over the years. In the podcast we talk about my upbringing, art, inspirations and what I have coming up in the near future. To listen to episode #90 head on over here.
Tied to The Streets
The Tied to The Streets group exhibition is going to be an incredible line up of 6 street artists, including myself. Opening this Saturday November 18th, you can view recreations of some of my favorite wheatpastes on street signs as well as a few unique collaborations. Featured above is one of two collaborations I did with Stikman, which is a bucket list moment for me. This image is a portrait of Alexander Calder holding a mobile of mini Stikman’s.
Works on Paper Gallery / WP Gallery
1611 Walnut Street Philadelphia
Opening November 18th 6:30-9pm - On View Through January 13th
The Corner
5 corners was home for my childhood into my 30's, and still feels like it. I can walk into the laundromat and get all caught up on the latest chisme of the block and telenovelas. I can grab an overpriced beer at the liquor store and be short changed, because that’s what the homie does, everyone knows it.
Hudson County is the place where I would steal street signs, paint on them and put them back up on the poles. It is the place where I spent many nights hanging out on a corner. So it is only fitting that I showcase a series of street signs in Hudson County, where it all started. This series highlights some of my favorite wheatpastes and unique collaborations. You can view the artwork here.
Join me for the opening of The Corner at Deep Space Gallery in Jersey City, NJ – August 26th 7-11pm.
Deep Space Gallery
77 Cornelison Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07304
“The corner has a place for them, every last soul… all are necessary in the world of the corner. In this place only, they belong. In this place only, they know what they area, why they are, and what it is that they are supposed to do. Here, they almost matter. The corner world is what’s left to serve up truth and power, money and meaning. It gives life and takes life. It measures all men as it mocks them. It feeds and devours the multitudes in the same instant. Amid nothing, the corner is everything.” The Corner, David Simon and Ed Burns
The World is a Ghetto
I recently completed my largest project to date - a 32 window installation in Philadelphia.
This wouldn't be possible without my partner in crime looking up at this wall in 2018 and saying that the windows reminded her of War's album cover, The World is A Ghetto. I searched the cover art and it immediately brought a fond memory from my childhood of playing in the school yard across the street from my apartment. When you leaned back against the school, you could see a wide expanse of windows from various apartments. Growing up in an urban neighborhood, on hot summer days, everyone's apartment windows would be wide open. You can hear music, laughter, arguments, moms yelling at their kids to come home, and chisme (gossip).
I recreated this memory in the window installation. Using old and new imagery, I made “scenes” within groups of windows, which also represents my growth as an artist. Each window has a voice and is open to interpretation for viewers to create their own stories between “apartments.”
From the very first image I wheatpasted on a wall over 10 years ago, to images from my never-ending love letter to Philly, entitled Clones Of Illadelph, this is a special moment in my art career. Most of my street work is illegal, so it is very meaningful to be recognized and given the opportunity to do a legal wall of this scale with the city of Philadelphia.
This city fuels me, and I want to say I love this city and thank you. Hope you enjoy it.
For more info head on over to HAHA x Paradigm
Special thanks to Mural Arts, Arts and Craft Holdings, the HAHA x Paradigm family, and Frank for the assistance. Photos by Jason Chen.
Mural is located at 448 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Parking lot next to Love City Brewing)
The dedication event will occur on Friday, August 18th, 2023, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at 448 N 10th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (Parking lot next to Love City Brewing). The dedication celebration will include music and refreshments in the Beer Garden at Love City Brewing (weather permitting).
Cee-Lo
This Friday is the opening of “Lucky 13” - a group show celebrating the 13 year anniversary of Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia. I associate luck with gambling - some of it is strategy but most of it is luck. One of my favorite memories as a youth was playing Cee-Lo (a dice game) in the 7th grade at Woodrow Wilson middle school. I won $36, which is huge for a kid on food stamps. To tie in the number 13 for the anniversary of the gallery, the face of the dice add up to that.
Join me and the rest of the artists to celebrate this milestone.
Paradigm Gallery + Studio - 746 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Opening Reception: Friday, February 24th 5:30-8pm
On view through March 19th
For inquiry about the piece please contact: info@paradigm-gallery.com
Mobb Deep
On November 2nd I headed up to NYC to rock this wall again. In honor of Prodigy’s birthday (11/2) I created my largest single wheatpaste to date - a portrait of him. Mobb Deep had a huge impact on me when I was growing up, so it was only fitting to honor the king outside the 2nd Ave Subway Station (F Train) on Houston St and 2nd in New York City.
Huge thanks to Steve for letting me rock this wall and City Kitty for the assist and getting me back on this wall.
Photo by John Domine.
Clones of Illadelph: Series 4
When I first decided to start the street series, ‘Clones of Illadelph’ I didn’t realize how much fun I would have recreating some of my favorite people from the City of Philadelphia.
I present to you Series 4, which I recently completed in the streets of Philly. It’s a continuing collection of portraits of those who have motivated, inspired and showed me love, like this one above, which is an amazing collaboration with Lace In The Moon.
To view the whole series click here.
Savage
I had the pleasure of guest curating a show at Deep Space Gallery, where I invited 14 other savage artists, who all beautify the streets through muralism and other forms of street art. To view all of the available works please head on over to the galleries ARTSY.
Savage exhibit runs through July 30th.
Deep Space Gallery
77 Cornelison Ave
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Things Fall Apart
I'm honored to have been selected to create an installation at the National Liberty Museum as a part of their This Is My Home exhibition, in which the museum selected five artists to share their interpretation of home. In my installation,Things Fall Apart, I share my experience with homelessness, creating a space for reflection on whether being guaranteed a place to live is a luxury or a right.
This Is My Home exhibit opens runs through October 30th.
National Liberty Museum
321 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
C.reativity R.ules E.verything A.round M.e
I recently did a street series collaboration with Chris RWK. This series of wheatpastes, which can be found in Philly, tells the story of a robot robber. The first image is a bear headed robot running off with a bag of cash; in the second image the robot has taken off his bear head mask while taking a breather to check out where to head to next; and in the last image (pictured above) the robot is celebrating his loot. They are all loosely based on Bender the Offender and titles are based on the classic hip-hop album by Wu-Tang, 36 Chambers.
Immigrant Mentality
I am excited to share my upcoming solo show at Paradigm Gallery. Immigrant Mentality expresses the shared elements and emotions that I feel are part of the immigrant experience. The exhibition is designed to encompass a broad perspective on the culture, community, and values of immigrant families, emphasizing the experience of Hispanic and Latinx immigrants in the United States. Centered around 14 new paintings, many of which are based on a trip I took to the Dominican Republic in 2015, including a few directly modeled on photographs the artist took himself. The back of the exhibition is dedicated to a large-scale installation of an art bodega, composed primarily of handmade “merchandise.” With this work, I hope to honor my past, connect with fellow immigrant families, and teach those who were not raised by and among immigrants about the distinct culture and mindset that comes with leaving your life behind and starting over somewhere new.
Immigrant Mentality will be on view from July 23 – August 22, 2021 with a virtual preview on July 22nd and an in-person opening reception on July 23rd, both at 5:30pm. RSVP is required for virtual event. For more information on the show head on over here – if you would like to receive the collector preview for the exhibition please email: info@paradigm-gallery.com
Virtual Preview
Thursday July 22, 2201 – 5:30 pm – Register Here
In-Person Opening
Friday July 23, 2021 – 5:30 pm
Paradigm Gallery
746 South 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Clones of Illadelph: Series 3
When I first decided to start the street series, ‘Clones of Illadelph’ I didn’t realize how much fun I would have recreating some of my favorite people from the City of Philadelphia.
I present to you Series 3, which I completed in the streets of Philly back in the Fall of 2020. It’s a continuing collection of portraits of those who have motivated, inspired and showed me love.
To view the whole series click here.
We're In This Together
I recently did a series of wheatpastes in the streets of Philly to bring hope and positivity to the people of the community. Local businesses are the heart of this community and I wanted to do a little something in support of the greatness they provide to us all. I recreated a painting of each of the three images from my street series, which are now available through Paradigm Gallery. All proceeds of the paintings will be split to help some of my favorite spots in Illadelph. Gallery, Paradigm; bar, Tattooed Mom; shop, Jinxed; and foodie destination Mom-Mom's Kitchen. If you're a fan of any of these spots, want to show support in this crazy time or be a good samaritan while getting a nice piece of art, please check out the paintings at the link below and help me raise money.
Let's come together and support some of the best that Philly has to offer!
Duchess of Queen Village
This Friday is the opening of “TEN” - a group show celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Paradigm Gallery in Philadelphia. This gallery is a staple in the Philly art scene and I’m honored to be a part of their family and what better way to celebrate with them than to do a portrait of one of my favorite artists that they show, Caitlin McCormack. Join me and the rest of the artists to celebrate this milestone.
Paradigm Gallery + Studio - 746 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Opening Reception: Friday, February 28th 5:30-10pm
On view through March 21st
For inquiry about the piece please contact: info@paradigm-gallery.com
Supreme Space Cadet
Thinkspace Gallery's 7th annual group show as part of POW! WOW! Hawaii was this past week. I’ve been wanting to do a Mega Man inspired painting for some time now, so I took this opportunity to do a fun piece, well suited for the super fun and chill exhibition.
For inquiry about the piece please contact: contact@thinkspacegallery.com
Fly Birdies Fly
It’s rare that I get the pleasure to do a legal wall so when when I was contacted with this sweet wall located at 12th and Christian in Philadelphia I jumped on the opportunity. Illegal walls get the adrenaline going but legal walls let you have way more fun with it. I knew the wall needed more than just my wheatpastes, so in collaboration with Seper215 we rocked the wall and came up with this funky piece, feeling all of those Philly street vibes.
La Lucha
I'm excited to share news of my upcoming solo show at Deep Space Gallery in Jersey City, NJ.
No stranger to struggle, La Lucha is my most personal body of work to date by Sean 9 Lugo. It delves into what's really behind the mask, touching on [sensitive] subjects that many are too afraid to admit to. It is the depression we are unable to face; the corners that we grew up on; the uncertainty of where our next meal will come from; the five finger discounts we [sometimes hesitantly] get; and the beat downs that come our way, all of which is worth it in the end due to the love in our lives.
Join me this Saturday, September 7th from 7-11pm for the opening, alongside new works by LNY in the other half of the gallery.