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Paramount Paints
PARAMOUNT PAINTS
ARTIST & PROJECT INFORMATION
Title: Multiple
Project Address: Multiple
Year Complete: Multiple
Artist Biography:
I fell in love with art at age 13 after an accident left me in the hospital for a few months. My sole activity was drawing & painting using an art set gifted from my parents, so I started illustrating everything I could and have been ever since! I graduated with a Fine Arts BA and did post-graduate studies in computer graphics & animation. I worked as an art director for software game developers, commercials and advanced software user-interface design. In the late ‘90s I switched to freelance mural painting so I was able to spend more time with my young kids. I’ve had the privilege to paint many electric boxes, restaurants, freeway overpasses & several large-scale murals in residential, park & public areas for cities located across Southern California.
@mer.young.art
Title: Rose Mallow in the Sun
Project Address: 15100 Paramount Blvd.
Year Complete: 2020
Artist Statement:
“Rose Mallow in the Sun” was inspired by the surrounding environment of Paramount Blvd. and Somerset Blvd. Hues of rouge were pulled from the colors of the clay roof tiles, crosswalks, no parking red curb paint, and window awnings. Whites and blues were inspired by the clouds and sky, and green hues from the grass and bushes. The choice of the hibiscus flower was a direct source from the shrubs next to the utility box. Hibiscus flowers are very hardy and versatile plants. They can adapt easily to any urban spaces, much like people. The intention of this public painting is to inspire and revitalize a public space and bring color into the City of Paramount.
Artist Biography:
Long Beach, Hidalgo Otomi Mescalero-Chiricahua Apache artist Mer Young has created a body of artwork manifested in collages, drawings, paintings, and public pieces. Young’s artworks aim to inspire, celebrate, and elevate repressed indigenous, first nations, and native cultures and women of color.
@tracy_negrete_art
Title: The calmness of the City
Project Address: 7350 Alondra Blvd.
Year Complete: 2020
Artist Statement:
As an artist, one of my key objectives is to convey a positive feeling. The feeling can be interpreted any way the viewer likes, but in this case I used various shades of blue. Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness or serenity. It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly. The electrical box is a part of the city’s structure, the daily fast-paced concrete world we live in, and I decided to beautify the box with shades of blue and abstract graphics, shapes, and flowing vegetation. My idea is to have the community receive a feeling of nature within the city. Or a feeling of creative inspiration. I want the viewers to have the freedom to explore the artwork and create their own meaning along with the feeling of calmness and serenity.
Artist Biography:
Tracy Negrete is an artist with an extensive background in mural painting and fine art. Her passion is creating public art and working and collaborating with communities while inspiring them through her craft. Tracy became enamored with the world of art, studying graphic design, fine art, and mural painting. Tracy expresses her art through vibrant colors, awakening creativity and imagination. She has currently executed 12 large-scale murals and two electrical boxes commissioned by clients such as the Arts Council for Long Beach, Covered California Health Care, Bixby Knolls Business Association, Crowne Plaza Hotel, and Branded Arts. Tracy has also exhibited and curated art shows in Long Beach, Los Angeles, and New York. A believer in the arts as a form of transformative healing, she enjoys practicing art as a labor of love. She has experience working with communities, public schools, art literacy practices with youth, and community-based projects. Her personal work explores individual narrative as well as the significance of collective healing. Never forgetting her past and those who have played a major role in her art career, Tracy actively looks to work with youth and community volunteers in creating art and giving them exposure. It’s her hope that bringing a sense of communal pride to her projects will cement them as community landmarks.
@chargarou
Title: Before there was love, there was silence.
Project Address: 15025 Lakewood Blvd.
Year Complete: 2020
Artist Statement:
Sometimes we just need to slow down and look up. We can find beauty everywhere if we really just stop and take a moment to find it. Hope is beautiful, like an optimistic and conscious dream that pushes us to keep moving forward. As I was finishing the painting, I was listening to Lady Gaga + Elton John’s Sine From Above and decided to add a quote from the song to my painting because I found the lyrics fitting to what I am stating through this scene. Can you tell which constellations are on the boxes?
Artist Biography:
From a very young age, Charlotte has explored different art media that have ranged from painting to sculpture and writing. After graduating from film school, she slowly reconnected with her art and found opportunities to do more large-scale projects such as scenic and stage painting for film and theater. During the pandemic, Charlotte found time for more of her own artwork and commissions such as hand-painted face masks. As she continues to explore media and define her style, Charlotte’s ultimate goal is to express both in images and words the tender yet powerful emotions that define the human experience.
@miribricio
Title: Untitled
Project Address: 16601 Paramount Blvd.
Year Complete: 2020
Artist Statement: n/a
Artist Biography: n/a
@blissful_nana
Title: Timeless
Project Address: 6529 Somerset Blvd.
Year Complete: 2020
Artist Statement: n/a
Artist Biography:
My name is Miranda. I’m also known as “Nana.” I’m from Carson, and I am a muralist and a painter. I’ve been working professionally in the field of art for about 10 years, dedicating countless hours to my craft. The love and passion that I have for this profession shows on every wall and painting that I create.
I want to always tell a story through my paint brush, making sure that I reflect each city that I paint in.
My goal as an artist is to advocate for positive social change in our society. I use my art as a platform, encouraging others to engage in a dialogue and have meaningful conversations about how we can better communities, and sparking a conversation on how we can mobilize ourselves to give back to our communities.
@sleepy.day.dreams
Title: Nostalgia
Project Address: 13947 Paramount Blvd.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement:
For this piece of public art, I decided to shine some light on past community staples of Paramount. I learned a lot looking into the history of the city, and I hope that others are inspired to learn about their community after viewing my box. Most people now wouldn’t imagine hay or cows being relevant to the town at all, but Paramount was once at the center of the dairy industry and home to the “World’s Largest Hay Market.” Elements from these simpler times can be found on the box – the leaves are of a camphor tree (the same as the Hay Tree still standing today), and the hay stacks and the cow print can be found as well. The other half of the box is about the drive-in theater, the Roadium, something that still may be remembered, and the art will hopefully bring viewers back to the days of classic cars and the smell of popcorn on a warm summer night. As time passes, cities evolve, some things lose relevancy as new things take over, but art can keep the memories alive.
Artist Biography:
Karina Vazquez is a Mexican-born illustrator and muralist living and working in Long Beach. She sources inspiration from all aspects of life: current events, her own insecurities, and in her most recent works migrant struggles and ideas portrayed using the female figure. These figures often take the role of alter egos while also symbolizing the collective feminine spirit. Plant life is another constant in Vazquez’s work, as the artist explains: “I want to remind the viewer that we exist in the natural world, not solely as spectators, but as a part of it.” Vazquez has shown her work in various exhibitions including “The Local Group Show” at Stay Gallery in Downey, CA and “Love Hurts” at Shockboxx Gallery in Hermosa Beach, CA. She has also worked on several public art projects throughout Long Beach with the Arts Council for Long Beach and the Bixby Knolls Business Association, as well as the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department.
@jgurantz
Title: Home is Paramount
Project Address: 8502 Alondra Blvd.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement:
Home is not only a physical place. It is also the feeling of belonging, of being seen and heard. My mural “Home is Paramount” is my way of spotlighting Paramount and bringing joy and pride to its residents and workers.
I dedicate my piece to John, Sal, Lorean, Lou, Lina, Cori, Francisco, Doris, Noemi, Manny, Emily, Leland, Brenda, Samantha, Angel, and other residents, commuters, and visitors who greeted me while I painted “Home is Paramount.” They cheered as they discovered different details in the mural that spoke to them personally.
Manny Alcaraz, known in the city for his zoot suit and classic cars, loved the text “Home is Paramount.” He posed next to it as he donned his Paramount cap and Paramount face mask. Doris recognized the palm trees as inspired by the city’s logo and actual trees lining city streets and parks. Lina, who works at a nearby school, loved the hummingbird. During the sketching process, a hummingbird appeared to me while I was visiting Paramount’s Dills Park. I then felt quite moved to integrate it into the design. John, a city worker, was excited to see City Hall depicted in the mural. For me, it stands for all the ongoing efforts by city officials and employees to help the city thrive. I also chose to display Paramount’s 90723 zip code because it’s another marker of the city’s uniqueness and an additional source of community pride. And as fate would have it, Mayor Olmos stopped by to share with me a childhood memory of her and her friends singing a song to the chant of “90723.” She was excited and heartened to see it so prominently featured in the mural.
I see you, Paramount. May the world see you too. But most importantly, I hope you keep seeing each other … the changes for good that you are striving for and the good you have already done.
Artist Biography:
J. Gurantz is a self-taught mixed media artist currently based in Los Angeles. She was born in the Philippines and came to the United States when she was nine years old. Though she has lived most of her life in Los Angeles, J. has traveled in Asia and Europe and lived in Mexico and Australia. You can see in her work how the international landscape as well as her local surroundings inform her art. In her murals, illustrations, mail art, interactive installations, and tabletop story games, she always speaks from her heart and soul. J.’s curiosity, her desire to live sustainably, and her joy in experimenting with found objects, watercolors, acrylics, and other media keep her constantly inspired and momentarily fulfilled.
@dasal
Title: Paramount, Home Sweet Home
Project Address: 8330 Alondra Blvd. (temporary – installation removed)
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement:
I am interested in helping attract customers for the businesses in the City of Paramount during the pandemic hardship by painting a mural live, as an entertaining performance. The mural will also give the city an attractive, creative, and welcoming impression for our residents and for anyone visiting our city.
Artist Biography: n/a
@meldepaz
Title: Riverbed Locals
Project Address: 6400 Alondra Blvd.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement:
This piece was designed in the hope to brighten up the locals’ day as they drive/walk past the horses and blue skies. I wanted to pay homage to the ranchos nearby and the horses that look majestic walking by on the sidewalks. I saw two cowboys ride by as I was painting and thought it was so sweet how they smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Artist Biography:
Mel Depaz is an artist and painter born and raised in Compton. She works in multiple media ranging from works on paper to large-scale murals. She’s locally known best for her murals and community-based artworks. You can see more of Mel’s work at meldepaz.com.
@jmlozaart
Title: The Garden
Project Address: 6424 Alondra Blvd.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement:
The garden boxes are a representation of growth, change, and the passage of time.
Artist Biography:
José M. Loza is a Long Beach-based visual artist. His work is based in community arts advocacy and public art engagement. His current series of work combines printmaking, digital illustration, and art activism. Much of Loza’s work reflects a study in family migration narratives, contemporary politics, and public safety.
@tracy_negrete_art
Title: Home is where the heart is
Project Address: 7821 Jackson St.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement: n/a
Artist Biography: See above.
@m.holdman_art
Title: Bee encourage
Project Address: 8505 Rosecrans Ave.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement:
“Bee Encourage” encourages others, like bees help plants to grow. We as people need to help each other grow by inspiring others whether it’s through words of encouragement or by being inspirational as the best version of ourselves. Everybody is unique and amazing in their own way. The real change lies with us.
Artist Biography:
Monica Holdman was born and raised in Paramount, California. She works full-time as a preschool teacher and part-time as an emerging artist. She graduated from Long Beach City College with a degree in fashion design. Monica loves using vibrant, bold colors and blessings when drawing and painting people, animals, flowers, and abstract designs. Monica creates artwork to send positive messages encouraging others. Her art reminds community members of their strength and joy and reconnects them to humanity. Monica reflects and builds on the challenges she has faced in life, including experiencing homelessness as a teenager, and she never gave up on her goal to become a professional artist.
@MsYellowArt
Title: Energy, Love & Movement of Souls
Project Address: 15125 Garfield Ave.
Year Complete: 2021
Artist Statement: n/a
Artist Biography:
Ms.Yellow (Nuria Ortiz) is a self-taught Mexican-American muralist, artist, craftswoman, and teaching artist. She has dedicated her time to the creative development and empowerment of communities, working closely with schools, cities, community centers & more to develop workshops, murals & mentoring youth. Her artwork and murals have been displayed in museums, galleries, and streets throughout the United States and around the world in countries including Egypt, Haiti, Japan, Spain, France, Australia, and Mexico, centering on themes such as culture, folklore, sisterhood, education, unity, love, and social justice.
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