SEL at the Beyond The Streets exhibit Los Angeles, CA 2018
PHOTO: Jim McHugh @westernave
Marcel Blanco known by the street name SEL, is a Los Angeles based, multifaceted artist best recognized by his paintings and murals that evoke emotion and thought through his use of color, narrative imagery and movement.
His foundation began in the early ’80s when he started designing flyers and t-shirts for local punk/hardcore bands around Los Angeles. In his quest for new inspiration he discovered graffiti art and became part of the early L.A. graffiti scene which lead him to join the WCA (West Coast Artists) crew, one of seminal graffiti crews in Los Angeles. He then re-focused and aimed his creativity on computer graphics and art direction in the music and entertainment industries working on packaging and marketing material for indie and major record labels.
Today his work expresses an introspective reflection that seems to touch people. His pieces are filled with emotion and a sense of individual wonder that easily grabs the eye of the audience creating a connection that goes beyond the aesthetics. Wether mural, painting, digital print, or installation the expression in his work is undeniable.
PRESS
A&i Fine Art and Photography
“I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember.
I would copying images from comic books and encyclopedias.
PHOTO: @chickenspeak
Voyager L.A.
“…Eventually, I got kicked out of high school because my graffiti escapades but this happened to be a big turning point in my life, I was sent to continuation schools where for the first time teachers saw me as an artist and started guiding me to use my creative mind.”
Fine Magazine (Japan)
Interview with in the Japanese lifestyle magazine FINE for the “Making Waves” exhibit.
OUT REACH
Fueling The Next Generation
I work with schools teaching kids about art, life as an artists, and the creative process of painting by working with them to paint a mural on their campus. One of my partners I’ve teaming up with is the non-profit Beautify Earth. Together we we have brighten up school campuses and impacted kids in a positive way showing them life from a different perspective.
Want a mural at your school? Get in touch HERE.