Drive on any of the freeways near downtown LA and these cats are everywhere. I know these arent the work of Leo Limon whom I touched on a few months back. Im thinking its the moniker of a well known LA Graff head....
I can clearly remember my first encounter with LA graffiti that really had an impact on me. At the tender young age of 4, I remember driving in our 1981 Volvo down the 5 freeway near Atwater Villiage\Los Feliz area and my Father pointing out the cat paintings on all the storm drain covers.
From then on I was amazed at the world of art work along the freeways. Whenever I would ask questions about it I would get hushed off about it by my mom who would just say "It's just stupid things that Cholos do". Which would then leave me with a unanswered question that I would go on to figure out on my own some years later, even at one point doing it myself.
However thinking back about it when the topic of LA River art came up recently in a conversation with a friend. I wanted to know who was the person behind these Cats from my youth that I remember so vividly. So I did a quick search and found out his name is Leo Limon.
Leo Limon has a place in the history of modern Chicano Art in the Los Angles area and still lives in East LA. . His work was heavly influenced by Los Four and his presence in the commnity spans 30 years. Still active in the art community, Limon has helped establish the Aztlan Cultural Arts Foundation.
The California Heritage Museum is proud to present “SKATEBOARD: Evolution and Art in California.” The show opens to the general public on Saturday, November 14, 2009 and continues through Sunday, May 30, 2010.
Looks like Retna and El Mac are still doing the damn but this time in Salt Lake City. Titled "Ave Maria" check out the Upper Playground site for the rest of the story and more images click here
Little Joe with Antonio Mejia from Good Time Charlies Tattooland
Little Joe and Chuey Quintanar from Good Time Charlies Tattooland
Here are some flix from the opening night of the unamed gallery at the Edison Building Lofts in Pomona. Many of the featured artist on display were some LA and OC's best in the tattoo and Airbrushing Scenes. Me,Shane,Dave and Little Joe layed down the tracks for the evening which had a great turn out. Until next time...