Miami native Alex Yanes has developed a unique blend of painting and sculpture that combines urban art aesthetics with pop imagery and a sunshiny tropical vibe. His imagery, featuring a mix of abstract geometry with tropical plants and animals woven between text and uplifting messages, is reminiscent of a life spent in the sunshine state. For nearly a decade his colorful sculptures, wall hanging relief paintings, and installations have been gracing galleries and art fares around the globe. While in town for Miami Art Week, VantagePoint sat down with Yanes to get a local perspective on the Miami art scene and what the craziness of Art Basel and the other art fairs has done for the city of Miami and the careers of local artists.