Andy Zamora: Artists in Los Angeles

Andy Zamora: Artists of Los Angeles

by Armando Ortiz

The purpose of this interview, and all future interviews, is to showcase and briefly talk to artists that reside in Los Angeles, and how their work was influenced by the city and inspired them to continue on with their interest despite the bad economy. I will focus on their early development as artists to see where they get their inspiration, and who’s motivated them. Most of the people I will interview are regular folk that make a living through their creativity. The artists interviewed are some of the few people that don’t have an eight hour job or have to follow a strict schedule, though that doesn’t mean that life are any easier. They are working artists, local community artists that are trying to perfect their craft, who continue to get inspired by life, and in the process inspire others with their own work. Some of these artists are connected to the community while others prefer to do their work and live their lives like anyone else, without the spotlight, while establishing themselves are reputable and quality artist.

The first artist to be interviewed is Andy Zamora, a tattooer that works at Inkfiendart Tattoo, which is located in Alhambra, CA. I met Andy a few years back through a mutual friend. It was at our friend’s pad that we briefly talked about Jimi Hendrix, art and his future tattoo career. While drinking our beers we heard a mixture of Hendrix, blues and other classic rock jams. In the years since then he’s become a tattooer and continues to develop as an artist. One feature that I’ve always seen from his is his style. What style is that? Well, it’s a blend of psychedelic, death metal and graffiti-esque paintings, along with imagery of skulls and devils. In the last five years he’s honed his craft as a tattooer steadily becoming a well-rounded black and grey artist. I have always liked his psychedelic take on old classic rock paintings and posters, along with his personal interpretation of street life in Los Angeles.

This interview took place over a span of several days through the internet, since we both live in different parts of the city, and we both have different schedules. None the less, you will find that Andy opens up his life and tells us how he evolved from a kid that liked drawing on paper to an artist that is making a living through tattooing and painting.

Me- What’s your first memory of doing art?

What kind of influence has music played in your life, but most importantly in your art?

Andy- My first memory of doing (art was) when I was 3 years old. My dad used to work at a paper company, so he used to bring boxes of white paper, (and) I would sit down for hours drawing with crayon, and my mom would praise everyone. So I kept doing it. As for music, it’s my obsession! Its been my obsession since I was 8 years old, (ever since) when License to Ill came out. I listen to every genre and as long as its heavy on the bass and drums. Hip-hop, Classic Rock, Reggae, Jazz, Corridos, etc., etc…In my art, music has definitively rubbed off, mainly 60’s Psychedelic and Death Metal. I think imagery wise thought two genres (of music) have very appealing imagery to me.  As far as when I’m creating art, playing music helps me release a certain flow. For drawing, Hip-hop or reggae sets a mellow mood, and for painting, Hendrix, Coltrane, and Miles kick of the flow. If I’m feeling lazy, some Cannibal Corpse gets me off my ass!

Me- What were some of your first art projects?

I know you’ve done album covers for some bands, what were these band and when did you start?

Andy- (I) started in high school doing paintings in the auditorium and for background scenery in the (school) plays. Then flyers for punk shows. Soulless was one of the bands I did a logo for and (then a) Grind band called Endless Demise, formerly knows as Terror and Nausea. I did cover art, and will be doing more, for the L.A. Grindcore scene.

Me- How did you end up painting in school and background sceneries for plays?

Andy- My Art teacher recommended me to the Drama director.

Me- How did public school affect your artistic development?

Andy- My Art teacher was very encouraging. He pushed me to try new mediums. I actually looked forward to going to school. One period I was painting murals in the auditorium and another period I was in a small room messing around with airbrush, clay, paint and what not. I think I still would have done art if hadn’t had those classes, but having those classes my art was displayed publicly and it put me in touch with the public, which artist have to do to start networking.

Me- Is that how you met the people whom you went on to do album covers?

Did you ever think that you’d be making a living as an artist?

What mediums are you using these days to express your art?

You mentioned painting mural, are there any muralist that you admired then and now?

Andy- Yeah I worked as a muralist for the Hollywood Beautification Team in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Back then my biggest influences, mural wise, were Paul Botello and George Yepes, and of course graffiti artists like Retna, Mear and FX Crew. Now it’s all about Mac and Retna.

Me- Is that how you met the people whom you went on to do album covers?

Did you ever think that you’d be making a living as an artist?

What mediums are you using these days to express your art?

Were you born in Los Angeles? How does your art reflect life in Los Angeles?

How has the city influenced your art? Do you feel you’ve influenced it?

Andy- One of my good friends <was> the drummer for Soulless, so that’s how I met them. With Endless Demise, I met Victor, the vocalist, online. He liked my tattoo work and was really interested in getting work done. It turns out we knew a lot of the same people and we hit it off, getting high and talking music. I was into the Grind scene in the 90’s, so it was cool being (a) part of it and doing artwork, and yeah since high school I knew that that’s all I wanted to do. I was shooting for comic book artist though, but ended up in a different route. I like using all mediums. I paint with acrylics, draw with pencils, ink and charcoal. One of the funnest medims is mixed media; color pencil, acrylic, watercolor and ink. I was born in Northern California, in San Jose, but my parents moved here, to L.A., when I was 6, so I was raised here in L.A. That’s all I know, L.A. and it definitively has had an influence in my art. It all happened when I had to do four months in the County Jail. The gang imagery stayed with me forever. The gangster letter, the black and grey tattoos etc. etc. There’s no rougher and tougher city in this country than L.A., so when I draw something it has to look hard.

 

Me- Please explain what gives something a “hard look” in art.

Andy- Yeah. It has to look Gangsta or wicked! Even when I was a kid drawing comics I wanted my characters to look tough and crazy. Its art for the fellas I guess. Kinda like hardcore hip hop. It’s mainly for the fellas but I’m pretty sure there’s some girls out there that are down with that. Then I add a little trippy. The psychedelic trips I had when I was young stayed with me forever.

Me- Is there anything that you’d like to say in relation to art, your art work, and what you do these days? Thanks for telling me about your artistic life. I’ll post the interview in a few days.

Andy- The economy is part of the reason I had to switch shops. Tattoos are luxuries, so people are cutting back on those type of things.  I'm working less on projects that were custom and (doing) more walk-in type of stuff. That made me have less enthusiasm and my inspiration was getting lost. It’s like a rollercoaster though in the tattoo scene. It’s bound to go up again.

Feel free to grab any pictures you want from my Facebook folders. Personally I like the Chalino painting, the drawing of a demon that’s holding a skull with fire in the background and the archangel Gabriel tattoo, but grab as many as you want.

Me- You have any photos of when you were in high school and the work you did back then?

Andy- At my parent’s house I should have some things.

Me- Lemme ask you this one last question. Is art important in people’s lives? If it is please explain why art is important.

Andy- To artists its very important. It pays our bills and keeps us out of the Looney Tunes bin….LOL….for non-artists its important because everything is art; clothes, music, architecture. It would be a bland world without art. 


(All art work was done by Andy Zamora, feel free to contact him via facebook)