Born and raised in New York City, art and music have always been apart of my everyday life. Graffiti on every other corner, artist selling mixtapes at the grocery store, people preforming on the J train; Art is what fueled my world.

Growing up in a Mexican and Puerto Rican house gave me a mix of worlds to grab. Latin music being played on Sundays when cleaning, my paternal grandma who painted on her furniture and statues, and my maternal grandma who would embroider everyday; these things helped shape who I am today. The contrast between the busy boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, and the small town and dirt roads of Martinez De La Torre, Veracruz, showed me both sides of the coin.

I really began focusing more on my craft over the past couple of years. Moving to Philly and working in PA, has shown me a side of nature I haven’t been exposed to. It reminds me of a mix of Martinez and New York. Being able to fully express myself where I feel most at home has made my art more true to me. I take my artwork everywhere with me: at my workplace, painting jackets and sneakers for students I work with, helping on group canvases, having my canvases sold at auction for charity, and even bringing my own supplies for them to create their own work. Art is really apart of my daily life.

My cities, my family, my friends, my taste in music, and my day to day life is what inspires my work. Whatever comes to my mind and how I feel at the time is what’s plastered on the blank canvas in front of me. Life’s not perfect, and I don’t expect my work to be, but what I create is perfect to me.

I must also give a huge thank you to God. To my mother and father, who have always helped me with whatever I needed in life. They never gave up on me no matter what went on. To my grandparents and my ancestors who survived everyday, got through all kinds of trials and tribulations for me to able to do what I do today. Thank you for all the support you’ve given me to continue creating and bringing my dreams and goals to fruition.

Thank You

-Mil MilAGros

About

Mark A. Guzman