This week with sat with San Diego artist, Monstrinho, (Get Vicious) and talked; painting, inspiration, process, and the future. If your in the San Diego area his work is hanging at the Hellion Gallery. Check the work, and check the spotlight. Enjoy!

What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on putting together a series of twenty paintings for a three person show Terra D’agua with artists and fellow Get Vicious collective members Marcelo Macedo (Brasil) and Michael Cursed (NY).  The show opened February 10th at the Hellion Gallery South in San Diego and then will be moved to the Hellion Gallery in Portland, Oregon sometime in March.  Other then canvases I have been painting a lot of walls, working on video projects and creating designs for a kids line for Monstrinho.
Tell us about your process from inspiration to execution.
The ocean has always helped me release stress and open up my mind for positive thinking and creativity.  It is a place in which I find inspiration and acts as my mental and physical cleanser.  I am often inspired by my environment and the people I meet and things I see.  I just got back from visiting my home town of New York over the holidays.  Walking the streets taking in the art and appreciating the raw energy of the city always motivates me. I am also very influenced by graffiti and the concept of developing your own signature style and flow.  I spend a lot of time asking questions and studying the people who have put in a lot of work towards the movement and try my best to uphold my part at contributing to the craft.   When it comes to execution, I prefer to work on several paintings at a time and develop a relationship with each of them.  With each piece I dedicate a personal story or a feeling that I am experiencing at the time.

What have you been listening to lately?
I have been listening to a lot of Tommy Guerrero and Ray Barbee as of lately when I paint.  I love their music and feel it has a lot of soul in it.  A friend of mine recently turned me onto that cat Danny Brown.  I have been feeling this dude and love his raw flow and videos.

If your work had a soundtrack what would it be?
It would be something similar to what Roc Raida (R.I.P.)  did for the Zoo York video.  Straight up real hip hop with some freestyle sessions similar to what I used to stay up for back in the day when Stretch and Bobbito where on WKCR.

What do you want people to take away from your work when they see it?
I would like people to feel as if they have seen a style that is new and unfamiliar to them whether they love it or not. I would also like people to feel somewhat positive or happy from the funky colors and crooked lines mixed with texture.

What does the future hold for you?
I hope my future is filled with the opportunity for me to be able to make a living off of my dream to travel, paint and collaborate with other creative minds.  I also would like to produce some epic documentaries on people and topics that inspire others to think and act.  Finally I would like to be able to make a positive impact on kids lives who don’t get the resources and attention they need to be creative and live their dream through Monstrinho.  If I can accomplish this before I die, I will be happy.

Where can we find you?
You can find me at  my site and blog www.monstrinho.com
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/Monstrinho1
Twitter http://twitter.com/MONSTRINHO1 

If your in the San Diego area check out Monstrinho’s work at:
Hellion Gallery South
433 3rd ave
San Diego, California