* All images used with permission. Please do not distribute without first contacting the artist.
Patrick Martinez began drawing at a young age. He attended Pasadena High School Visual Arts, and in 2005 he received a BFA in fine arts and illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
Inspired by graffiti and hip hop culture, Martinez aims to cast a light on everyday objects and people from his immediate surroundings that are more often ignored or trivialized. ‘Vitality and rhythm are the essence and energy in my artwork,’ he explains.
His illustration career includes many sleeve designs for hip hop records both underground and mainstream, and his installations have been exhibited across California as well as in Toronto and Washington DC.
"Martinez's work has many elements that make it effective… witty and ironic social commentary, hustle and sophistication and a self respect that makes his diciplined talent flow without interuption. His piece The 1992 Los Angeles Riots” neon, plex and enamel paint 2012 is one of my favorite examples along with "real life still life", " I'm a fighter not a lover" and " I'm a lover not a fighter"."