Meet Rodney PANIC” Rodriguez | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rodney “PANIC” Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rodney “PANIC”, what do you want your legacy to be?
The legacy I hope to leave behind are my physical artworks themselves. They serve as evidence and proof of my existence. I can only hope that my name is brought up in conversations when discussing great and prominent artists of their time. I did not specify amongst “the masters” because that would simply be “ego tripping” and that is not how I roll. It is for the very same reason I don’t understand how someone can label themselves a “legend” when that is for others (the art enthusiast, the collector) to place that title on the individual. I would also like people to know that every experience we go through in life plays a roll in our development. Whether its negative or positive, heartbreaking or celebratory it will shape us into the humans we were meant to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently a fine artist based out of New York City. In 1979 at the age of 13 I began writing graffiti with friends on buses, the neighborhood and on Ryder and Hertz rental moving vans. In 1980 I attended John Dewey high school in Coney Island Brooklyn which was an hours commute each way on the NYC transit system from my home. Looking out of the windows during those travels to me was like looking at frames of a fast moving film. Each shot was filled with different shades of color. Graffiti covering the exteriors of the train cars fed my imagination with artistic ideas and much needed nourishment. I came upon my graffiti tag name “PANIC” while having to fill out those school questionnaires which asked for a students ethnicity. One day after marking off “Hispanic” I placed a thumb over the letters H-I-S and observed that the remaining letters spelled “panic”. In the next 4 years I found myself sneaking into tunnels and lay-ups at night writing and painting on the trains. My graffiti run lasted from 1980 – 1985.

In 1986 the I graduated from NYCTC with a degree in Art & Advertising design. The 5 years that followed I worked as a freelance graphic designer for various advertising and design companies. In 1991 (when the economy was in decline) I received notification from the New York City Police informing me that I had been accepted to join the NYPD. In 1988 I ha taken the police exam on a dare from a high school friend who was a police officer. Since work as a freelance artist was limited I decided to make the career change and put art on hold. I retired in 2016 as a detective after working 25 years with the NYPD out of the Firearms Analysis Section (forensic ballistics unit). I was one of those investigators you see on the tv shows C.S.I using a microscope comparing fired ballistic evidence and test fires.

So there lies an interesting dichotomy, a law breaking teenage graffiti vandal/art lover who ends up becoming a law enforcement officer. Two worlds colliding but resulting in a positive result. Placing your dreams on pause to earn a living and raise a family often overrides a persons true passion but no one said it can’t be revisited

Once retired it was time to embarked on my artistic journey. I currently paint commissioned murals and have successfully sold canvas’ throughout the U.S and overseas. I was one of the many artists who’ve had the pleasure of painting at the graffiti mecca “5Pointz” (which no longer exists), Annually I take part in the “Welling Court Mural Project” alongside other artists such as: Lady Pink, Cey Adams, Daze, Crash, Too Fly etc.

My current works of art incorporate various elements such as; graffiti, character illustration, street flavor and strategically placed paint splatters. The splatters provides movement and energy to the pieces. My signature characters give off that graffiti vibe with oversized heads, hands and sneakers/shoes. I inspire to be a visual story teller for the audience/collector. The titles to my pieces are simply an introduction to your imagination. Inspirations are many: Ron English, David Choe, George Condo, Kaws and Dragon76 just to name a few.

My artwork can be viewed on Instagram under PanicRodriguez (*please follow). Art can be purchased through: artpal.com/PanicRodriguez or at SaatchiArt.com (search PanicRodriguez)”.

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?
Any friends visiting my area I recommend them strolling through Welling Court in Astoria Queens to view all of the amazing street art murals. Next we’d go have lunch at “6 Elements’ sushi bar out in Merrick, Long Island followed by a slow walk down “The Nautical Mile” in Freeport. Dinner at either “The Grand Lux” or “Cheesecake Factory”. Broadway is always a treat, The “Highline” in Manhattan, the vast number of galleries and pop up shows on a Friday evenings or weekends. Artist studios, “The Brooklyn Firefly” pizzeria in Bay Ridge.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would first off like to acknowledge and thank those behind the scenes of this “Shoutout” series for making it possible and allowing me to tell my story and reach a wider audience. Many artists involved in these art ventures know that at times it is very “clicky” and finding opportunities to promote oneself is extremely difficult. I would also like to send love to all of other individuals who I’ve crossed paths with and were essential in my development as an artist, father and friend. Shout to to my teachers, my son Michael, daughter Jasmine, my graffiti family: Kyle Green, Jon 156, Crane, Ree 2, Clyde, Zimad, Sonic BAD, Bond, The Ex-Vandals, Meres, Demo just to name a few – there are too many. My high school buddy writer, director, producer Jono Oliver, my old co-workers/partners at the NYPD and last but not least all of those good souls who’ve come to realize that ethnicity, the color of someone’s skin, gender and sexual preferences DO NOT matter. We all belong to one single race and its the “HUMAN” race.

Website: artpal.com/PanicRodriguez and panicrodriguez.bigcartel.com

Instagram: PanicRodriguez

Twitter: No1CanDoItBetta

Facebook: PanicRodriguez

Other: Saatchiart/PanicRodriguez

Image Credits
All photos taken by me