As a Latino born in Tucson Arizona, I grew up surrounded by a deep culture of art and heritage. I always had a fascination in lowriders, graffiti art, and the massive murals of aztec warriors that decorated the walls of my favorite Mexican restaurants. As a kid, the highlight of my art life was when one of my drawings was featured in Lowrider Arte Magazine. I thought I had really made it.

When I was about to graduate high school, I had two options, to go to college on a athletic scholarship or go to art school. I chose to accept a football scholarship in Bolivar, Missouri, and experienced some of the biggest culture shock of my life. Lets just say you couldn't find any good Mexican food and they had lots of snow. The next few years were devoted to sports, which I look back on now as the building blocks for the discipline and focus I use today in my art.

When I was a kid, the first time I saw Bruce Lee I was in awe, and that opened up a whole new world for me into martial arts and The Way of the Samurai. The story line of fighting for justice and honor and the chance to do something good in the world was truly inspiring. Unlike all of the other comic book heros who had superpowers, the Samurai was a real human who with hard work and diligence became masters of their craft.

Bushido is a Japanese word that describes the code of honor and morals developed by the samurai. At Bushido Studio I take the seven virtues of the samurai and incorporate them into my practice. Justice, Courage, Mercy, Respect, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty are more than just words to me, they are a lifestyle that I pursue and hold with the highest respect.

- Hector