What He Does: The man they call Browncoat, or alternatively, DJ Twinkle-Toes, is a graphic artists and DJ here in Houston. His work is pop art at its finest, mixing almost photorealistic faces with cartoonish hair and clothing in his figures. It's a mixture of toy store packaging mixed with communist propaganda that instantly grabs the eye and doesn't let go. Much of his inspiration comes from his wife, and you can see her face peering out of many of pieces recreated with loving detail. He's been a regular gallery exhibitor for the last ten years, having worked with Talento Bilingual de Houston, War House Gallery, Summer Street, and his second home at East End Studio Gallery.
Browncoat started drawing in first grade. Eventually he got good enough to have other children pay him to draw them custom portraits of Super Mario. It was light work, but it helped him hone his skills as an artist. By junior high he was actively pursuing a future as an artist, even applying to HSPVA, but it was a biography of Vincent Van Gogh which brought him to tears that cemented his future in the arts.
Why He Likes It: Well, there is definitely the perk of being able to take pictures of naked women and then draw them, no one can deny that. All flirting aside, Browncoat like how art allows him to express himself without apology.
What Inspires Him: From the world of art Browncoat looks up to Adam Hughes and Van Gogh, but he gets most of his inspiration from the city around him, his family, fast cars, and pretty girls.
If Not This, Then What: "Making Music I play bass and have played all around town, but it's slowed down now that I've gotten my art going. I've always been creative and that would be my next option."
If Not Here, Then Where: "It's never really crossed my mind but I don't think I would ever need to leave Houston. People that leave always come back and usually if you're just not happy it's not your city. It's you."
What's Next: "Focusing on getting my screen printing back up and running and painting new pieces for the Bombshells N Brawlers Round 2: Pin-Up & Tattoo Art at East End Studio Gallery September 6th. Anything else life throws at me I'm ready for. I recently became a new father this past December so that is a wonderful journey all on it's own as well!"
More Creatives for 2013 (In order of most recently published; click here for the full page).
Kris Becker, Nu-Classical composer and pianist Vincent Fink, science fashion Stephanie Saint Sanchez, Senorita Cinema founder Ned Gayle, thrift store painting defacer Sameera Faridi, fashion designer Greg Ruhe, The Human Puppet Sophia L. Torres, founder and co-artistic director of Psophonia Dance Company Maggie Lasher, dance professor and artistic director Jordan Jaffe, founder of Black Lab Theatre Outspoken Bean, performance poet Barry Moore, architect Josh Montoute, mobile gaming specialist Ty Doran, young actor Gwen Zepeda, Houston's first Poet Laureate Joseph Walsh, principal dancer at Houston Ballet Justin Garcia, artist Buck Ross, dilettante and director of Moores Opera Center Patrick Renner, sculptor of the abstract and the esoteric Tomas Glass, abstract artist and True Blood musician Ashley Stoker, painter, photographer and Tumblr muse Amy Llanes, artistic airector of Rednerrus Feil Dance Company Bevin Bering Dubrowski, executive director at the Houston Center for Photography Lydia Hance, founder and director of Frame Dance Productions Piyali Sen Dasgupta, mixed media artist and nature lover Dean James, New York Times bestselling mystery novelist Nicola Parente, abstract painter and photographer Cheryl Schulke, handmade leather pursemaker Anthony Rathbun, Alternative Lifestyle Photographer David Salinas, computer-less analog photographer Danielle Burns, art curator Alicia DiRago, Whimseybox founder Katia Zavistovski, contemporary art curator Ashley Horn, choreographer, filmmaker Amanda Stevens, scary book author Peter Lucas, film and video curator, music lover and self-described culture-slinger Ana María Otamendi, collaborative pianist and vocal coach Billy D. Washington, comedian Michele Brangwen, choreographer and dancer Kristin Warren, actress and choreographer Kelly Sears, animator and film maker Colton Berry, Bayou City Theatrics' artistic director jhon r. stronks,dance-maker Joe Grisaffi, actor, director, writer, cinematographer Jordan "Monster Mac" McMahon, artist, designer
