As an artist, Jesse de Leon creates art because it is his means of reflecting on life experiences. He aims to translate those experiences into his art through every stroke of his paintbrush and meticulous details. He uses art as a method of speaking on things that he is passionate about and hopes that he enables his viewers to see cultures from alternative perspectives. His art is a form of therapy for him, a place where he can bring to life his passion for music, culture and art. He hopes that his art brings a positive refocus and enlightenment to its viewers.

Check him out on Instagram - @deleon_artz

Gabriel’s passion to paint was influenced by his older brothers and mother. In Gabriel’s teen years, trips to the west coast of California provided visual inspiration of the culture, music, and art that led him on a journey to follow the “graffiti movement.” As a graduate of Ball High School and Galveston Community College, Gabriel had the privilege of having great art teachers such as Mr. Dunn, Mrs. Moore, and Mr. Stovall, who not only got his work in the public eye early on, but encouraged him to pursue his art and passion. After spending a great deal of time as an illegal graffiti artist chasing walls to paint around the city, Gabriel felt the need to change his ways and approach graffiti art in a different way. Now focusing only on commissioned pieces, Gabriel has expanded his artwork all around Texas. Using photos, Gabriel transforms the image into a hand cut stencil then uses aerosol paint to transfer the image to canvases that he builds out of reclaimed metal and wood. Having found a way to express himself in a positive manner, Gabriel’s work reflects his joy and encourages people to be inspired by art.

Check him out on Instagram - @gapsmack87

Franky Cardona was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Houston, Texas. Due to his father’s enlistment in the US Army, Franky and his family often moved around, but Franky found solace in art. As a young child, Franky taught himself through trial and error. In 2010, while working for Union Pacific to support his family, his love for art was reborn and inspiration struck. He began harnessing his skills once again by drawing charcoal illustrations of athletes who inspired him. After creating a buzz among friends and family, a fire was lit. Franky began drawing sketches of athletes, musicians, and other famous figures while simultaneously building a following on Instagram. Franky soon began to elevate his art to his specialty - acrylic portrait painting. In the following years, Franky continued to channel his intuition for art and paint as a side hustle doing commissioned pieces and murals for local businesses while continuing to work full time. In 2019 he was able to make the leap to full-time artist. Through his iconic style of combining photorealism with colorful street graffiti accents, Franky has continued to gain recognition. He has been hired by organizations to create timeless paintings for musical artists such as Travis Scott, Drake, and P!nk. He is responsible for the creation of breathtaking murals featured in Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park. Franky continues to hone his craft by collaborating with local Houston artists on murals throughout the city and pave the way for artists to come through his signature mantra, “A Dreamer with Hustle”.

Check him out on Instagram - @frankycardona

Sebastien “Mr. D1987” Boileau was born in Versailles, France in 1973 and was influenced by the American Pop Art and early Graffiti movement of the 60s, 70s, and early 80s. He began his artistic endeavors in 1987 in Paris, at the age of 14. In 1989, Mr. D1987 created his first piece of canvas art, as well as his first large-scale mural. In the early 90s he began traveling the world, painting in remote countries like Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Senegal, and many western destinations. In 1995, Mr. D1987 was invited to participate in his first contemporary art show in Paris. He immigrated to the United States in 1998, and in 2000 launched what is now a successful street art-inspired mural company in Houston Texas, Eyeful Art Murals and Designs, that serves both the public and private sectors. Mr. D1987 describes his style as “Canpressionism,” a NeoImpressionist technique, primarily involving the use of spray paint and street art techniques such as tagging and drip painting. After 30 years as an artist, the stigma regarding Urban Art remains, and Mr. D1987 wants to change people’s perception. His artistic and personal goal is to use his skills, experience, and credibility to demonstrate a “Urban Art as Fine Art’’ approach while connecting with people around him; Art is for him an emotion more than an aesthetic outcome.

Check him out on Instagram – @mrd1987