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james@curriedrice.com |
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James Tolentino grew up in Davis, CA, skateboarding and getting into mischief -- graffiti in particular. An illustrator at heart, graffiti captivated him. The calligraphy, the use of unconventional materials and mediums, the thrill of the chase — all of it had a huge impact on the way James began thinking about art. James was arrested at age fifteen putting a stop to his illegal activities.
Shortly after his arrest, and satisfying community service requirements, James was offered a summer position as an illustrator at a multimedia company in Los Angeles. In no time James had immersed himself in the big City of Los Angeles and creative opportunities began to present themselves. With some persuation, his parents reluctantly agreed to let him stay in Los Angeles to continue school and take advantage of the opportunities.
James continued working, taking on projects involving character design, animation, web design, and print design — all the while continuing to explore art in his free time. Over the several years that followed he began growing well acquainted with many inspirational and talented people, developed a broader appreciation for different art forms and techniques, and of course fell further in love with Angelino culture. His art began to reflect his experiences and influences — photography and mixed media, design philosophy, studies on the urban culture of Los Angeles. Ellay, James' current series of paintings, is the culmination of all these differnt influences.
James currently lives in Venice Beach, CA with his wife Naoko Shibata. |
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