Biography

Bikestyler Customs

Bikestyler Customs inception started as early as 1988 in Los Angeles CA. With my 1st bike a Centurian Triathalon road bike I bought when I worked at a bikeshop in Hawthorne CA. It was a very popular bike at the time and I would see the same bike as mine all the time. So it was my hip hop influence to be original and create my own style so I stripped the frame down and painted a flourescent rasta color way and had the local autopaint shop clear coat the frame and fork when I finshed it.It came out really cool and I got so many compliments on it. People thought it was a special edition model because I had put a new factory sticker set on it and it was under the clear! Fastforward to 1995, I had just moved to Berlin Germany and I had a beautiful lugged Peugot frame. I painted it a awesome blue and I though to myself “it would be a shame to put anything but blue parts on this bike”. So I began to search out the coolest blue parts I could find and what was not available in blue I anodized it myself! Resulting in “Kind of Blue” a bike I named after Miles Davis’ musical masterpiece.

I feel that the bikes I create for myself and my customers are truly unique in that Im not a person who is stuck in a particular period or type of bicycle. I work with all different types and work to create the most interesting way to see a particular bicycle and its components. I feel its a way to celebrate to the mechanical achievements of bicycle manufactures. To showcase and accentuate the parts of a bicycle that most people over look is my way to revitalize classic as well as contemporary bicycles and motorcycles.

Toons One

Naturally gifted with a broad observation of everyday life and the cultural landscape in the world we live, Toons One’s creations embody a rich imagination and is a soulful interpretation of everyday life.Toons was born in Los Angeles CA, his interest in art began at age 3 after being introduced to the LA. street mural scene in the early 70′s.He developed a love for painting and drawing influenced heavily by his mother.In the early 80′s LA. was entranced by the Hip hop scene and Toons One started popping/locking became a graffiti art master and later began Dj.ing.He then decided that this would be not only his choice of expression but also his way to make a living.By incorporating many aspects of California street art,automotive customizing,60′s art thoroughly mixed with pop abstract and neatly served with a hip hop twist!

Toons One’s style is known to be very creative by utilizing various techniques and mediums. He works with a variety of materials ranging from oil based sign paints,acrylic, ink and dry mediums,spraycans and automotive paint .Mostly self taught with the fortunate exceptions of being “schooled” by some of Toons One’s creative heros.Although he had to focus mainly on commercial works to pay the bills,Toons is no stranger to creating a variety of “fine art” pieces and continues to move steadily in that direction.

He feels his self given title student/teacher/master will span the entirety of this his experience here and is enjoying every moment of it! Exploring through a world of “style writing” typography,chroma-

therapy,cultural representation,striking color and powerful images.Toons One like to keep on foot firmly in the past while moving the other foot forward to the future incorporating many hand made things from his custom edged wooden frames to recycled pieces of metal,plastic,paper and interesting found objects.He projects range from; album cover illustration,pinstriping/custom painting,graffiti/mural painting,skateboard graphics,sculpture,custom bicycles,furniture design and construction,interior/structural design,event/exhibition curator,product design/consultation and art direction.Toons One’s projects take him around the globe and he continues to search for interesting projects to be participate on.

Toons One has done projects for many interesting companies both public and private as well as participated,co and curated art exhibitions in the US and abroad.And continues to paint live on various hip hop jams and art events.

Artist Statement:

Art and Creativity are two very different things and therefore I define the thing I do as “creating” I view art as its defined by most something that is a disposable projection of oneself.And “Creation or creating” is direct irreplaceable reflection of oneself.My primary medium choice “style writing” aka grafiiti and a hip hop base gives me one of the best ways to express reflect my state of mind at any given moment in any given place and in any given medium.Knowledge of self being expressed.

Creativity is something that is priceless and irreplaceable in any society and when cultivated has left  many “timeless” reflections that people will forever enjoy and be inspired from.I myself being a student/teacher/master continually strive to discover the inner mysteries to self in order to radiate the light to make this experience an truly incredible journey! keep creating!

Selected Shows/Exhibitions

” Aerosoul 2″
Joyce Gordon Gallery Oakland CA. Feb.2011

“Aerosoul”
Joyce Gordon Gallery Oakland CA. Feb.2009

“Beat Box”
San Francisco Ca. Feb.26 2009

Buttenheim  Levis icon store Berlin Germany Dec.2001

“Next” Z2000
Akademie Der Kunste Berlin Germany

“Dances Urbanes” Festival 1&2
Podewil Berlin Germany 1997-1999

“Top Illin”  graffiti art exhibition
Los Angeles Ca. January 1995

Group Show-
Zero One Gallery Los Angeles Ca. 1993

“Hip Hope” Aerosol Art in the Celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Arthur Coons Gallery,Occidental College Los Angeles Ca. March 1992