HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING ART?
I’ve been drawing ever since I could remember. It started out as drawing stuff from my imagination. Then I was interested in cartoons and comic books because they where easy to connect to. So I started copying cartoons and comic book characters in my sketchbook.  So that was when I was like six or seven years old? So I would say about twenty-one or twenty two years or creating. Drawing was an easy fix. All you need is a pencil and paper and your ready to roll. It’s direct you know…no pressure. That’s why that was the first medium I picked up. Then I started messing with graffiti in middle school years later when I picked up spray can art. Then started painting with acrylics and oils in high school but I always kept a black book. I always tripped out on how I started messing with spray paint and markers before an actual brush, canvas and paint.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN ARTIST?
I have always been interested in art and creating, so it wasn’t hard to choose that path. I was always looking at art books. I was lucky enough to get involved with art programs that helped me push my art when I was a teen. This is why whenever I get the chance or I am asked to speak to the youth about my work I jump on it. It’s important to connect with the youth and inspire. They will use your work as a foundation and build from there.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS?
Jean Michel Basquiat, Wayne Thiebaud, Jim Dine, Lucian Freud, Futura, Milton Glaser, Cartoon, Estevan Oriol, Kofie, Rob Abeyta, Eyeone, Slick, Hex, Cuban poster art….the list goes on and on and on…

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SUPER HERO?
When I was growing up I would have to say the grey Hulk or Punisher. It’s probably the way they where drawn. Todd McFarlane is the shit. He made everything look cool. I don’t really check for comic books now…but I do watch some of he movies marvel puts out. The first Hulk movie they released in early 2000 and the punisher movies they put out left a bad taste in my mouth. Even Ghost Rider was dope to me, now all I see is Nicolas Cage and his corny ass. These characters where dynamic and had issues. They have been reduced to one-dimensional characters for the masses on the big movie screen. I’m feeling the Dark Knight. That movie was fresh.

IF YOU COULD RE-DESIGN THE COVER OF ANY BOOK, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Hmmm, perhaps A Peoples History of the United States by Howard Zinn. That would be fun, if they gave me full creative control of the book cover. It would be a wrap!

OUTSIDE OF THE CANVAS, WHICH FORM OF MEDIA HAVE YOU ENJOYED WORKING WITH?
There are many. Some of my latest forms of media I have been messing with and have enjoyed are: neon, plastic toys along with the packaging and polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam was fun, I did the recession remix of a piece of Americana, the #1 foam finger…I put a gun in the hand. Times is rough and minimum wage isn’t enough. Whatever gets my idea across in the most effective way, that’s the route I’m taking, No Doubt.

WHATS YOUR FAVORITE BRAND OF SNEAKERS/SHOES?
Vans Authentic, hands down. They are just classic to me. They will never be played out. A pair of black Vans Authentic with blue 501’s and a tee…that’s all day for me. I’m not trippin on the latest hottest shoe, although there are some pretty dope shoes out there along with some wack ones.

WHAT IS OR WOULD BE YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO VACATION?
I’ve been to Montego Bay in Jamaica. The beaches are so sick, the water is crystal clear and the sands are super white. It really is paradise. I want to head back for a vacation there real soon. The first time I was there painting a wall for the new Tuff Gong store at the Montego Bay Airport for the Marley’s. I had limited time to enjoy the area and beaches. Definitely want to head back soon.

WHATS IS YOUR HIGHEST GOAL OR ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE AS AN
ARTIST. IF THE SKY WERE THE LIMIT?
I would have to say an exhibit or retrospective of my works at MOCA. I could be dead or alive, doesn’t matter as long as it goes down. That’s probably my biggest goal, that’s the sky for me. You can keep your million dollars or nice cars etc…fuck all of it, all I want is an exhibit at MOCA is Los Angeles before or after I die. Oh yea, A book of my works would be good too. People keep books and libraries catalog them so they last awhile. A kid could pick up my book Fifty years from now in a Library and revisit the time I was living in, my thoughts and ideas. I like the idea of that. That’s longevity and making a mark on this earth, no?

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PAID JOB AND WHY?
It would have to be fine art pieces. I’m not talking about commission pieces either, because there is an agenda with commission pieces. I’m talking about creating a piece that I was inspired to put together then someone else feels me on it and purchases the piece. It has no ties you know? No sponsored by or meetings about it…it’s straight from the gut. Direct.

BIGGIE or TUPAC?
Tuapc. It’s not a west coast thing. I just like Pac’s energy and content.  He had substance; he was deep, dynamic and complicated like life. I like those characteristics and try to have one or more of them in every piece of art I produce.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU LOST YOUR VIRGINITY AND TELL US THE STORY?
HAHAHA I’m cool on that question. No Comment.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?
I don’t drink too much but when I do I choose jack and coke. Stay Thirsty my friends!

Please visit Patrick’s web site for more art and info patrickmartinez.com