By Mauricio Machuca
Hi De Ho Comics will host an art showing and live art from the 4 Amigos collective on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The group, made up of inner-city Latino artists, with backgrounds ranging from military veteran to art professional with multiple degrees, will present their first showing as a collective. With art ranging in styles from fine line art to psychedelic, the group embodies their unique cultural backgrounds in a variety of methods and media.
The show will feature a live art-jam by all four artists, an exclusive collector's print and a party atmosphere as the store celebrates the collective's work. Attendees will be able to view and purchase original pieces.
Store owner Geoffrey Patterson jumped at the opportunity to work with the collective. “We're always looking for ways to support local artists and to become a place where you come for arts and culture. We actively reach out to the local community and encourage people who have never set foot in a comic book store to come and experience something new. We consider ourselves lucky to be able to host a group of up-and-coming Latino artists.”
Ralph E. Villalobos, the Founder of the 4 amigos collective, from Hawthorne CA, has a Bachelors Degree in Media Arts and Animation from the Art Institute of CA Los Angeles and a Masters in Fine Art Illustration from the Academy of Art University San Francisco.
Working under the name “REV”, he has worked in the art industry from animating PSA's for Kids WB to painting prototypes for Gentle Giant Studios, to teaching illustration to tomorrow's artists. REV has also published illustrations for two books and displayed his fine art paintings in a wide variety of different Art galleries from the legendary Gasoline Gallery in El Segundo to Exodus Events La Bulla and El Velorio shows. His work focuses on Hot Rods, cartoons, pro wrestling, pin up girls, rock n roll music, and comics.
Working with his compatriots, they have created a range of art that touches upon the Latino experience, comics, sci-fi and pop culture.
A veteran of operation Iraqi Freedom, Abraham Romero is an asset not only to his country but the art world itself. Having nurtured a talent for art at an early age Abraham flourished as a young artist at USC's Ryman Arts program before his tour of duty. Upon returning from his service Abraham picked up where he left off and enrolled in the Fine Arts Program at San Diego State University. Currently Abraham is working on his Masters in Fine Art as well as showing in galleries all over the south bay.
A self-taught artist, from Lennox, CA, John Montiel, is a devoted community activist, helping inspire the children and youth of his hometown. His fine art paintings are inspired by psychedelic culture, pop culture, religious and indigenous pattern work from his Mexican heritage along with geometrical patterns found in nature. Creating ink based work, John focuses on the stippling brush style, creating pieces that draw the viewer in while delighting the senses.
Also from Lennox, Rafael Murillo has had a lifelong love affair with art, from comic books like Batman and the X-Men to the illustrated covers for the popular Goosebumps novels. With an ever evolving style, Rafael finds influence from every corner of his life. His Mexican heritage, pop culture, graphic novels, and music all play a part in shaping his artistic aesthetic.
Together, these four men constitute the “4 Amigos” collective. We couldn't be happier to host them at our shop and invite you all to come down and join us for a night of art and culture this Saturday, Feb. 27 from 7-10 p.m.
