DOWNEY -- Two years ago, Joshua Galindo picked up art as a hobby and quickly began to develop a style of his own – an interesting combination of graffiti, pop, and abstract art.

Galindo uses traditional paint, aerosol, paper, and even sugar to achieve texture in his paintings. Simply viewing his artwork from a screen does not do it justice.
 
Galindo grew up in the city of Downey and attended Downey Unified schools. As a boy, he was intrigued by graffiti and admits he once defaced school property. 

“I took a sharpie and put the smallest mark on a trash can," he says. "Every day I walked by that trash can and felt the thrill. Who would have known this was a glimpse of what was to come years later?”
 
Galindo’s first experience with painting was at his father’s upholstery warehouse in Compton. He worked detailing sofas and chairs by using spray paints and stains.

One day, to feed his curiosity, Galindo visited an arts and crafts store, and purchased $60 worth of materials. He began by creating art pieces in a corner of his family’s warehouse, where he continues to do so every day. Galindo found his calling.
 
Galindo’s studio is quite indicative of his passion. It is well equipped with paint-covered floors and walls, quotes, canvases in-progress, and a "thinking chair," where he has spent many hours sitting, creating masterpieces for international collectors in Germany, Australia, and France. This space is his slice of paradise, where he develops color themes and concepts apart from distractions.
 
On Friday, Sept. 9, at 8 p.m., Stay Gallery will host the opening reception of Galindo’s newest exhibition, "ESQUSIT." Light drinks and snacks will be served. The exhibition and opening reception is open to the public. 

Visit staygallery.org/calendar/esqusit to learn more.