Aaron De La Cruz ~ My Favorite Taco

Aaron De La Cruz is an artist living and working in San Francisco, California. His show earlier this summer at Known Gallery was one of our favorites of 2012, and showed that his unique style works at every possible size and dimension you can imagine. There are no limits to what Aaron can do and it will be exciting to watch him blow up worldwide in 2013 and beyond...

What's your favorite taco?
Burrito all the way! Pollo asado and carne asada mixed with re-fried beans and sliced avocado. Sin arroz , queso y cebolla por favor.

You grew up in Fresno, spent time in L.A., and live in SF. What keeps you in California? Do you see yourself in SF for the long term?
Family keeps me in Cali. I have been fortunate enough to travel around and have found some spots that I would like to live at from time to time but the weather and food keep me planted here in Cali. As of now I do see myself living in San Francisco for a long time. Its been a goal to make SF my new hometown and after living here for over 10 years now I feel like I'm almost there.

You've traveled and shown your art all over the world. How has that influenced you as a person or an artist? Got any wild adventure stories to share from those trips?

Yes traveling has played a huge part in my life and has definitely changed my outlook on it as well. I guess coming from a place, "Fresno," that did not allow me the access to integrate with different cultures within my neighborhood surroundings, I always felt the need to get out and meet different types of people.

Crazy stories man I have a bunch of those but lets just say if you are in Mexico and think getting a camarones cocktail stacked like you have never seen before for only $3 you might want to pass. The two days after I ate that were pretty crazy.

If your art is a map, what is it a map of?
Good question I have never been asked this before. If my work is a map I'm unconsciously making it as I go along (Lets put it all together at the end and see where it takes me!).

What is the largest piece you've done to date, and how big do you think you can go? What are the different paint/inks you use for different sized works?
The largest piece I have done to date is a piece I did living back in Fresno. I painted the side of a bridge which went over the San Joaquin river (around 300-400 ft long and 6 ft tall). I have not idea on how big I can go I guess as big as would like? I have stuck to pretty basic mediums when painting over the years I staying faithful to my usual ink and latex paint when working outside. But my gallery work varies depending on the body of work I'm creating for.

Your work is so clean and precise, but at the same time it's total madness. Does that mirror how you see yourself at all?
Yes, I have come to realize that my work is a visual representation of what goes on in my head. Most of us usually have a ton of crazy thoughts going on at one time right? . Well what you see is me trying my hardest to control all those thoughts at one time and translating that into art the best way I can.

How much of what you do is planned and how much comes out at the time of production?
All of the work you see with me using black ink is unplanned. My work that involves three dimensional pieces are the things that are planned because it takes multiple steps to get it to that point.

What makes you mad? How about what gets you super relaxed?
Man it takes alot to piss me off but sometimes the little things do it like a shirt not folded the right way or a scuff on the shoe. Walking, running or working while standing gets me very relaxed.

What's up next for ADLC?
A few things, I have a group show coming up in Dallas, Texas at Circuit 12 Contemporary with Patrick Martinez and James Roper. Two other group shows in mid November one with OM Records in San Francisco and Graffuturism in Los Angeles, and a solo show / project with Cukui in San Jose. Oh yea and a new video project Im working on that we hope to drop at the end of the year. Next year looking forward to Pow Wow Hawaii in Feburary 2013!

Do you have a lucky number?
6 and 34