Isaac Pelayo is the embodiment of a head-on collision between Renaissance art and street culture. Born in the heart of Los Angeles on June 7, 1996, to a household marked by turmoil and violence, young Pelayo found refuge within his own creativity. Art became his sanctuary, guiding him through the chaos surrounding him. After leaving college, he transitioned from creating hyperrealistic pencil portraits to oil painting, where his passion truly flourished.
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THE ARTIST
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Today, Pelayo's work draws inspiration from both the old masters—Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Velazquez—and influential graffiti artists like RETNA, Shepard Fairey, and EL MAC. In 2017, his work caught the eye of renowned rapper and collector Alvin "Westside Gunn" Worthy, leading to collaborations on album covers and artworks for Gunn’s Griselda Records, including pieces for Gunn’s personal collection. Pelayo’s paintings have since gained global recognition, attracting high-profile collectors such as Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Jeff Hamilton, Shepard Fairey, Jaysse Lopez, and Everlast of House of Pain.
"I start with a story, then I conceptualize an idea to convey that narrative. Sometimes I can see it right away, other times it comes as I lay paint on the canvas. Typically I work in oil but often I’ll incorporate acrylic, oil sticks, and spray paint to add depth, texture, and emotion. "
- Pelayo
Private Collection
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