Bonus Material

I decided to sift through some old photos and images for you.

Circus Town

I never fully grasped the charm of the remarkable, quirky small town where I spent my childhood. It's the hometown of the Ringling Bros and the Circus World Museum. Growing up, I had the privilege of watching films in the beautiful Al. Ringling Theater. I saw Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Baron Von Munchausen, Brazil and Time Bandits to name a few. It wasn't until I moved to CA and attended a movie that I realized the spectacular nature of this venue. I was taken aback by the mundane box spaces with just seats and a screen. Back home, we used to sneak into the balcony section to watch movies and playfully toss milk duds down at unsuspecting people

We used to gather under this historical stone bridge (cue RHCP) during our elementary school days. Riding our beat-up, second-hand bikes, each with a can of soda and our fake toy pistols and M16 rifles in tow. One of the kids in our group, whose dad sold weed, would bring a bit along. We'd form a circle, relishing the respite of shade during hot, humid Midwest summers. Chugging our refreshing sodas, the first one finished would start to poke holes on the top, crush it into a rectangle, drop the weed onto it, and light up. After a smoke, we'd embark on an imaginative game of army in the surrounding woods.

The Cure

Growing up in the 80s in the Midwest, Heavy Metal was a massive cultural phenomenon. I'd discover new bands through Thrasher magazine and NME. Eventually, I delved into listening to The Cure, setting me apart from my classmates. It painted another target on my back from the jocks and heshers, who labeled that 'gay' music.

Doodle dee

I was constantly doodling, bringing creations to life from my imagination or attempting to replicate art I came across. Skateboarding decks and album covers were particularly influential. My mind was utterly blown when I first laid eyes on the original artwork for Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction' by Robert Williams

The Fly trap

The girls and guys I grew up with had an outrageous amount of hairspray and products, all in an effort to emulate the iconic bands from MTV. I humorously referred to the girls' hairstyle as the 'Venus Flytrap.' Get too close, and it could snap you up, entangling you in their hair and life.

Killing the OZONE.

When I moved to CA, the Venus flytrap style was out, replaced by the beachy vibes of surf, sun, and wind-blown salt hair. Despite the change in trends, I found myself oddly drawn to the chola girls throughout my time in CA. I never put it together until now that growing up in the circus town and how much there is clown art work in the chicano culture. HMMM

In my 30s, I frequented Homeboy cafe almost three times a week just to catch a glimpse of a chola there whom I had a crush on. I never spoke to her, as she seemed like she could kick my ass. I made a homage to them in one of my commercials that I wrote and directed.