Nick Gallegos

Growing up in Compton, California wasn’t easy but Nick Gallegos didn't let gang life or poverty hold him down: he had dreams. This self-taught artist has built a passion for art. He began painting at an early age, using walls and fences as his canvas. By 15, he was painting on skateboards, and could be found painting his style of abstract graffiti on skateboard ramps all over southern California.

Nick’s only formal training was in high school, where he took an art class and did not fare well. His art teacher said he did not follow direction. She did not like how he thought outside the box. After high school, Nick worked with a Los Angeles artist, supplying art work to furniture stores in the LA area. While working for this artist, he would hide his signature of “Two Hands” in most of the pieces, leaving his mark.

With such a wide source of inspiration for life in Los Angeles along with his Native American background, Nick says “I paint each idea with a life of its own. Something from within me, I learn from each piece I create” Nick now favors acrylics and latex over spray-paint, yet this diverse artist on occasion will whip up an art piece in minutes with just a couple of spray cans.

He says "I've always felt I use all sorts of medium to create art which I think is natural” Along with his success he says “My greatest rewards come from the way people react to my art. I love to see a smile or that confused look on someone’s face.”

His works can be seen in restaurants, bars and galleries in Virginia Beach VA and Sturgeon bay WI as well as homes and offices across the country.