Meet Adrian Perez | Pacoima Artist & Lifelong Learner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adrian Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrian, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley. I was born to two Mexican immigrant parents. Growing up as a Chicano, I was used to swap meets, street vendors, food trucks, and Mexican celebrations. Pacoima has a predominantly Latino population while having a long history of high crime rates.

My parents went through countless struggles to give me the opportunity to have a good life in California, so I went on the straight, narrow path. I stayed in school, kept away from negative influences, and attended university at UC Irvine for 4 years. While Irvine was safer and cleaner, it lacked the culture that Pacoima had.

After graduating and coming back to my hometown, I started to appreciate the street art more. Pacoima is known for a long stretch of road on Van Nuys Boulevard called Mural Mile. Driving down, you can see murals created by local artists, adding beauty to the area. There are many talented artists in the valley that inspire me. Whether they do graffiti, murals, tattoos, or paintings, they motivate me to continue my artwork.

I also take a lot of inspiration from Old English letters for my lettering style. Old English is a staple in Chicano culture and has influenced many Chicano artists like myself. It’s part of my cultural identity which I take pride in. Latinos make up the largest ethnic group in California while facing issues such as racism, poverty, poor health, and limited opportunities. No matter what I do or where I go, I represent a group of people that has been historically oppressed ever since the Spaniards colonized Mesoamerica.

Who I want to be is the best version of myself for my family, my hood, y mi raza (and my people). Being a creative is part of that self-actualization.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Most of my art is based on lettering. I started with graffiti since it was prevalent in my area then I went on to practice calligraphy. From there, I became invested in calligraffiti which takes calligraphy strokes in innovative ways onto wall surfaces. For the last several years, I’ve done button pins, stickers, event decorations, paintings, calligraphy, (permitted) graffiti, and murals. I keep a list of projects that I’m excited to do for the future.

Truth be told, I’ve always been creative. One of my earliest memories is getting scolded in Spanish by my mom for drawing on the walls with crayon. Art was one of my favorite class subjects even if I had no natural talent. In college, I designed and distributed over 10,000 stickers out of my own pocket. By the time I graduated, I start doing paintings again. A graffiti jam event was happening in Pacoima, so I signed up even though I never had any spray paint experience. I ended up making a piece that impressed many senior graffiti artists. That left an impact on me to pursue it further.

I almost didn’t choose to keep going with my artwork since I was doubtful that I could amount to a decent artist. Putting myself out there also meant being judged and possibly rejected. However, a local artist in Pacoima, well-respected and highly experienced, told me I had potential. He encouraged me to be fearless about showing myself to the world. Since then, I painted my first public mural, had my work showcased in several galleries, and created art displays at community events. I also currently serve as the Arts and Cultural Committee Chair on the Pacoima Neighborhood Council with the aim of creating more murals in my hometown.

It’s been an empowering experience. I’m proud of myself for seeing it through. I’ve learned that we all have the potential to be artists, it’s only a matter of finding that spark within ourselves. None of us have to be the next Leonardo da Vinci, we only have to express what we enjoy. I want the world to know that art is a healing experience that can help us find our identity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting me, I’d take them down Van Nuys Boulevard to check out all the beautiful murals and local businesses. We would stop at Myke’s Cafe for their great breakfast options. Afterwards, we’d go play sports at my local park, Ritchie Valens Park, named after the late musician. For lunch, I would take them across the street to my local taqueria, Taco Charly, on Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Paxton Street. They have tacos, nachos, Mexican candy, horchata, and everything you would expect from a taco spot. Once they’re full, I’d take them over to the Midnight Hour Records which has a dope selection of vinyls, clothing, pins, and miscellaneous items. We would then go to my favorite bookstore, Tia Chucha’s, to check out the book selection and art displays. If time permits, I’d invite them to my friend’s backyard where we can spray paint for fun. Once night hits, I’d check to see if there any events like car shows, backyard concerts, or night markets going on. With the amount of authentic restaurants and street vendors, we’d never go hungry without some delicious food.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have several shoutouts to make:

Luis J. Rodriguez – For writing one of my favorite books and providing a wonderful community space in the valley.

The Midnight Hour Records – For being one of the best places in the valley for music and creativity; also, for showcasing my artwork.

La Raza Unida Party – For inspiring me as a Chicano while upholding a historical movement.

K35 – For believing in me as an artist when I needed it.

My family (Leobardo, Maria, Silvia, and Alejandro) – For always supporting and loving me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianperez758

Image Credits
Jocelyn Mendieta @bychicadeluz