Gilded Love Frida - by Toon 92

Original Artwork by Jose De Avila - Mixed Media, Spray-paint on Canvas; 36" x 36"

About the Artist

Jose De Avila (“Toon 92”) is a native Chicago artist who uses his graffiti roots and affection for street elements to create gritty, pop-style paintings with an urban flair.  Each piece  represents an aspect of the city’s environment, particularly brick walls and steel bridge structures, allowing collectors to bring a piece of the outside world into their homes. 

Spray paint is his primary medium, however he also integrates latex paint, graffiti drip markers, stencils, and molding paste to produce the textured and layered backdrops in most of his work.  The backdrops in some of his pieces also include vintage movie posters, original newspaper clippings or Mexican Loteria playing cards – a tribute to his heritage – as part of each work’s story. 

Love is the most common theme found across his work as demonstrated by the “love” street tags and “throw-ups”(graffiti style bubble letters).  Though, it is mostly the darker, extreme sides of love that intrigue him:

Everyone in this world is affected and shaped by their relationship with love.  For some it comes easy, and for some not so much.  Love is a powerful force that will influence how we navigate this world for better or for worse.  It can blind us and make us lose direction or it can be the light during darkness.  Regardless, love is essential in our lives, but it requires a delicate balance. 

Without this balance love can slowly consume us like the process of rust in nature.  Rust is a common motif found in much of his work that represents this perspective.  His portraits are of past and present icons, including fictional characters, who were uniquely challenged by love in their own story.

Follow his work on Instagram @toonster92