Inspired by the graffiti I grew up around, I’ve created art since childhood. Today I paint and draw to explore ideas and enjoy the creative
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I’m most drawn to painting portraits, especially where realism meets abstraction. Growing up inspired by graffiti, I developed a love for expressive lines, bold color, and storytelling through faces. Portraits allow me to capture not just how someone looks, but who they are blending raw emotion with layered textures and influences from street art
Where do you find inspiration?I’m inspired by the energy of my surroundings, especially places like Venice Beach and downtown Los Angeles, where graffiti, color, and movement are constantly evolving. Seeing those raw, expressive visuals pushes me to experiment with color and texture in my own work. I’m also inspired by visiting museums and studying how different artists think and create, which helps me bring new ideas and depth into my portraits.
What would you do with $25,000?With $25,000, I would invest in building a dedicated art studio where I can fully focus on my work and expand my creative process. Having my own space would allow me to experiment more freely with different mediums like spray paint and acrylic, and create larger, more ambitious portrait pieces
Vote for Drew Flores to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Limited-time: 2X votes ends on Mon 5/25 at 9PM PDT
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