About

Bio: Luis Tinoco is a Mexican American painter and illustrator, born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area on November 1985. From a young age he quickly became enamored with drawing and illustration. As a teenager he focused strongly on anatomy and academic illustrations, inspired by works from the renaissance, baroque, orientalist and contemporary eras. Remaining hungry and studious, he is always learning about different painting techniques. Being mainly self taught through his career he has managed to advance in skill and knowledge with each execution. His concentration on realism has evolved and helped push his limits in creating colorfully emotive works.

He produced a his first solo show in April 2016, entitled “Beauty & The Streets” – A focus on empowered female subjects via emotive figurative and passionate portrait works. Graffiti heavy backgrounds served as the backdrop to highlight the harmony of beautiful and tough women and stark urban environments.

“Chingonas” was the sister series to “Beauty and The Streets” which debuted in June 2017. A statement on representation of women of color and “Chola Style” – The Chola look is style as a form of resistance personified, forged by the struggles of poverty, violence, and conservative gender roles. Both series’ embody the visibility and representation of Women of Color in Contemporary/Fine Art.

“Nocturnal Colours” (2017-2022) is focused on mainly women of color, set in stylized and surrealistic environments. Figurative works of women in punk/goth aesthetics surrounded by vibrant neon colored lights and pop culture details are captured in arresting cinematic moments. The paintings aim to blur the lines between a surreal reality and a melancholy dream.

Although his work is primarily focused within the realm of Fine Art, he’s also a designer in his own right. He’s created many designs for screen prints and creates his own screen printed works in his home studio. He’s worked with various musicians and online personalities to help create their brand identity with logos, album artwork and t-shirt designs. Most notably, he has worked with Sister Crayon, Cutworm and Dear Banshee.

His works have been shown in various galleries on both east and west coast. He has worked with various musicians on design creations since 2010. He has been featured on several online platforms and was a Semi-finalist for the Bombay Artisan Series Art Competition for the San Francisco region and has been published in Strange Ways Magazine, Gross Magazine – RELISH Vol. 1 and  The Art of Being Bill: Bill Murray and the Many Faces of Awesome.

In 2020 his painting “Sister Midnight” was selected among over 11,000 entries to be on exhibition at The De Young Museum in San Francisco for the first “De Young Open Exhibition”.

In 2021 he was selected by Everydayoriginal.com to be a part of their “Newbie November” campaign to sell original artwork exclusively through their artist community platform. He was selected to return to sell original artwork exclusively through their website from 2022 – 2023.

In 2022 he was selected by WOW x WOW to exhibit and sell work through their platform wowxwow.com WOW x WOW is a UK based, progressive online gallery and art resource specializing in exhibiting, promoting and celebrating the very best New Contemporary Art from around the world and founded in 2014.

Statement: “Night Wave” is the next phase of my series “Nocturnal Colours“. Neon signs are slowly vanishing from the sides of buildings and business fronts all over the world in favor of minimalism. There are few neon sign makers left and it is a slowly dying art form. However, nightlife subcultures are keeping neon signs alive via theaters, liquor stores, dive bars, diners, tattoo shops and adult entertainment. The representational work focuses on mainly women of color in contemplative moods surrounded by real and imagined neon signs, captured in compositions reminiscent of old master paintings. The vibrant colors from neon signs illuminate its surroundings and can be a beacon for people, whether it’s an iconic landmark in a city or just catches a lot of attention for a selfie. No matter your stance on neon, you cannot doubt its ability to suck you in with its magical, colorful glow.

Achievements/ Competitions
2020 – The De Young Museum – San Francisco, CA – “The De Young Open Exhibition”
2017 – Gross Magazine “RELISH Vol. 1” – San Francisco, CA – Magazine Release and Art Show
2015 – White Walls Gallery – San Francisco, CA – Bombay Artisan Series Regional Semifinals

Solo Exhibitions
2018 – Oros Gallery, San Francisco, CA – “Flowers Do Grow In Hell”
2016 – Galeria Beso Maya – Oakland, CA – “Beauty & The Streets” 

Online Group Exhibitions
2023 – August – Every Day Original
2023 – May – Every Day Original
2023 – February – Every Day Original
2022 – November – Every Day Original
2022 – August – Every Day Original
2022 – Monochromatic 5 – WOW X WOW
2022 – May – Every Day Original
2022 – February – Every Day Original
2021 – November Newbie – Every Day Original

Group Exhibitions
2024 – Modern Eden Gallery – San Francisco, CA “Portrait Show 12- Myth”
2024 – Modern Eden Gallery – San Francisco, CA “Precious Metals”
2024 – Modern Eden Gallery – San Francisco, CA “Year of the Dragon”
2024 – Baton Rouge Gallery – Baton Rouge, LA “Surreal Salon 16”
2024 – Belvedere Tiburon Library Art Gallery – Tiburon, CA “Colors in Art: Voices Soft and Loud”
2023 – Brassworks Gallery – Portland, OR “1st Annual Postcard Show”
2023 – Helvella Art – Oakland, CA “Arte Picante”
2023 – La Luz De Jesus Gallery – Los Angeles, CA “EBTKS 2023”
2023 – Modern Eden Gallery – San Francisco, CA “Beyond Original, Portrait Show 11”
2023 – Helvella Art – Oakland, CA “Bring Me Across The Sea”
2022 – Mirus Gallery – San Francisco, CA “16×16”
2022 – Modern Eden Gallery – San Francisco, CA “Portrait Show X”
2022 – Helvella Art – Oakland, CA “Wonderland”
2022 – Mirus Gallery – San Francisco, CA “LOCAL LEGENDS”
2022 – Mirus Gallery – San Francisco, CA “SKATE”
2021 – Modern Eden Gallery – San Francisco, CA “Portrait Show IX”
2020 – 111 Minna Gallery – San Francisco, CA – “Return of Discolandia”
2019 – Studio Gallery – San Francisco, CA – “Tiny Show”
2019 – Fleetwood SF – San Francisco, CA – “100 Under 100”
2019 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “Arte Para La Gente”
2019 – The Hive Gallery –  Los Angeles, CA  – “Haunted House”
2019 – La Bodega Gallery – San Diego, CA – “Full Moon”
2019 – The Press Room – Santa Barbara, CA – “Drinks on Me Coaster Show”
2018 – Wonderland Gallery – San Francisco, CA – “Discolandia II”
2018 – Fleetwood SF – San Francisco, CA – “100 Under 100”
2018 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Holiday Art Show”
2018 – The Hive Gallery –  Los Angeles, CA  – “Femme Fatale”
2018 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “13th Anniversary Exhibition”
2017 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “12th Annual Holiday Exhibition”
2017 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Recuerdos”
2017 – La Luz De Jesus Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “Coaster Show 2017”
2017 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “12th Anniversary Exhibition”
2017 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Doce 12×12 Silent Auction”
2017 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Pasion De Frida Group Show 2017”
2017 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Chingonas rEvolusion” – 4 person show
2017 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “LUXE”
2016 – Menagerie – Sacramento, CA – “Stranger Things Group Show”
2016 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “Small Works”
2016 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “11th Anniversary Exhibition”
2016 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Altares de Amor”
2016 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “All Things Frida!”
2016 – Public Works SF – San Francisco, CA – “The Murray Invitational. A Bill Murray Art Exhibition”
2016 – Sanchez Contemporary – Oakland, CA – “Pasion De Frida Group Show 2016”
2016 – The Hive Gallery –  Los Angeles, CA – “Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears The Crown”
2016 – Studio One Art Center – Oakland, CA – “A Portrait In Diversity”
2015 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “10th Annual Holiday Exhibition”
2015 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “October Group Show”
2015 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “Chimmaya Gallery 10th Anniversary Show”
2015 – Studio Gallery – San Francisco, CA – “Make It Work”
2015 – Roll Up Gallery – San Francisco, CA – “Retratos”
2015 – Chimmaya Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – “Sagrado Corazón”
2014 – Public Works SF – San Francisco, CA – The Murray Affair: The Bill Murray Art Show
2014 – Balançoire – San Francisco, CA – Nicolas Cage Art Show
2014 – 423 West Gallery – Los Angeles, CA – Guilty Kiss: Gustav Klimt Inspired Art
2013 – Muddy Waters Cafe – Santa Barbara, CA – Noche De Los Muertos: Loteria
2013 – Blackbird Studios – Las Vegas, NV – Dr. Seuss: A Tribute
2013 – Blackbird Studios – Las Vegas, NV – The Greatest Show on Earth
2013 – South First Billiards – San Jose, CA – Subzero
2012 – Trais Gallery – New York, NY – Bring Back The Boardwalks Silent Art Auction Fundraiser
2012 – Antonio’s Nut House – Palo Alto, CA – Painted Ceiling Tile Installation
2012 – The Sun Gallery – Hayward, CA – Dedicated To You
2012 – 1015 Folsom – San Francisco, CA – RAW Artists San Francisco
2011 – Mezza Luna Restaurant and Bar – Half Moon Bay, CA – Half Moon Bay Relay for Life Fundraiser
2011 – WWA Gallery – Culver City, CA – Lunch Bunch Art Fundraiser
2011 – Blackbird Studios – Las Vegas, NV – JAPAN AID – A Japanese Relief Silent Auction
2011 – Salon Kavi – San Mateo, CA – Group Art Show
2010 – Blackbird Studios – Las Vegas, NV – Halloween Group Art Show
2010 – Blackbird Studios – Las Vegas, NV – “Life Comes in Pairs” 2 Person Show
2009 – Club 6 – San Francisco, CA – Hyphen Magazine 6 Year Anniversary – Live Painting

If you’d like to know more about how I work, tools I use, process, follow me on Instagram, TikTok or head over to my Blog!