Oceanside Illustrator Creates Art Intended for the Masses

Change motivates local computer illustrator and Oceanside resident Adrianna Velazco.  With an eclectic style of creating art, she makes drastic changes that encourage a humorous and sarcastic reaction, such as with her piece titled "Deer Love." A couple is embracing, the girl smiling up to her deer-headed man.  This is only the tip of the quirky fun art that Velazco creates.  

"Most artists just always know their art is what they are going to do early on.  I grew up in Vegas — not a very art-friendly area" Velazco said, her red, shoulder-length hair fell into her face, she shrugged her shoulders. "Moving to California, I just fell into it."  

And she has fallen deep.  Falling into things seems to be the change that prompts this talented, young artist to create compelling, conversation-starting prints. 

"I started doing my art because I was falling in love with someone," Velazco said, explaining her entrance into computer illustrations. "I started out creating love but it wasn't going as planned.  He didn't fall in love back." 

She said she used to think of herself as the “stereotypical tortured-soul artist” but not anymore. 

“It's been two years since that time and, looking back, I can't believe how I put myself out there so much,” she said.

Velazco now describes herself — and her art — as witty, sarcastic, and silly.

"When people look at my art, I don't want them to look at it and think she is sad," Velazco said.  "I can't even identify with the so-called art world either.”

To her, art is visual.

“Every piece doesn't need a deep, sad story,” she said, adding that what she hoped people would gather from her pieces were their own connection, not her connection. 

"Your connection is yours, not mine," she said with a small shrug.  "They are buying it for them.  I just want to make a little money."  

The recent recession seems to be another change the 23-year-old embraces. 

"You know, I just want to keep it affordable for people my age.  I'm not going to spend $1,000 on a piece of art,” she said.  "I ultimately want to do commercial art, so it's always affordable."  

She wants neither fame nor fortune, and wants to continue with the commercial notebook and card illustrations, which, as she pointed out, are easy to mass-produce.

"That's what our generation wants,” she said.

The four-year employee of  located at 6965 El Camino Real #208 in Carlsbad, is the location to see and buy her work and speak to her in person.  Velazco's art can also be seen on Facebook.