It’s been said one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Today’s podcast guest, emerging artist Tex Hammond, transforms discarded items like wood, glass, Styrofoam, and cardboard into stunning works of art. 

“I want to learn how to [make my own canvas and paper] and repurpose things like that because it’s less wasteful and there is no downside to it,” says the LA-based artist, who uses unconventional surfaces in his colorful, eco-conscious work. Bursting with scribbles, doodles, and blobs of paint, Tex’s work is heavily influenced by artists like Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who took a childlike approach to artmaking. 

In today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Tex to chat about the young artist’s brief but prolific career. At just 16 years old, Tex boasts an impressive resume that would make any professional artist envious. He is the youngest artist ever to exhibit at the LA Art Show, where his entire inventory sold out two years in a row. Over three years, he’s held three solo shows, donating the proceeds to charitable organizations like The Tree Academy, Miles 4 Migrants, and PS ART. His work has also been featured on HBO’s The Hype.

Inspired by graffiti, music, and video games, Tex incorporates elements of pop and youth culture into his eco-conscious work. A doodler as a child, Tex fell in love with portraiture at 10 years old after he drew his mother eating pizza at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. While his current work is abstract, it clings to the contours of figuration, of portraiture. In the interview, Tex shares insight into his practice, the trajectory of his career, and what it means to find your purpose. “[If I knew that] I could be happy, live comfortably for the rest of my life, and paint whenever I needed to, I would choose that,” he says. “All of the other stuff is just [an illusion].”

Key Points From This Episode:

• How Tex is constantly innovating and exploring new mediums as his practice matures.
• Ways that he upcycles and repurposes unconventional materials.
• When he first knew that he was an artist and the role his mom has played in his career.
• An understanding of what Tex means when he refers to his “spiritual hand.”
• Insight into the special, supportive relationship he has with his mom.
• The story of how Tex was first “discovered” after his first show in LA.
• Why Tex believes that being true to your vision is important.
• How his work takes inspiration from classic art genres.
• Whether or not Tex identifies with being an “old soul” or “mature for his age.”
• His opinion of AI, social media, trending content, and the state of the world.
• How Tex uses painting as a form of escape from the chaotic world around him.
• Reflecting on privacy versus fame in relation to success.
• What Tex believes it means to find your purpose and elicit an emotional response.
• His growing interests in travel, architecture, film, and more.

For more information, please visit http://notrealart.com/tex-hammond