No. 5 on Clinton
This studio belongs to another board member, Joshua Valdovinos, who’s mural “Hive Mind” can be seen at 34th and Oak Park Ave, Art Park. Starting his artistic journey in 1997, the desire to create art that he discovered soon became an unyielding obligation to himself to explore the inner mechanism of his creative consciousness. In 2013 Josh decided to take it to the next level. He is experimenting and developing his skills. He draws inspiration from his life experiences, family, music, movement. From small sketches to large scale projects, Snagz’ art is a highly-personal reflection. Artist’s website snagzart.com
The Artist: SNAGZ
How long have you been practicing?
Like most artists I feel I've been practicing and creating since I was a kid. I never let that part of me grow up thankfully. Always keeping up with my love for graffiti art, in 2013 he started creating again. I have narrowed my focus over the years, experimenting and developing my skills and processes. Just like with breaking, I have been on a mission to establish myself in the art world. Painting show cars, participating in art shows, mural and collaboration work, etc. In 2020 after the George Floyd tragedy, protests, and consequential riots, I started painting the boarded up businesses with the newly created art initiative PAINT THE CITY. Painting murals with messages of peace, love, and unity in solidarity with BLM.
What is your process?
It depends on what I am creating, but usually I get to my desk, turn on some music, then either start sketching or continuing on a piece in progress. My work ranges from painting commissioned canvases, developing my own streetwear, painting cars to creating indoor and outdoor murals.
What are some recent projects?
A new automotive art mural showcased at the 2025 Chicago Auto Show! I have been working with @chicagocarguy_ for about 6 years, creating cooler work, leveling up each car. The work was done using plasti dip from @dipyourcar, making it even more unique, because it's a hand-painted "wrap." This design includes a Simpsons’ side, with Bart, Donut, Maggie, Milhouse, Nuclear power plant, Homer in the bush. On the Rugrats’ side, we got Angelica, Tommy, Chucky and Raptor. Cars are always a joy to paint, and when it's a Lamborghini, even better!
Anything else you’d like mentioned?
My style is colorful, mostly character and graffiti driven, but adaptive to whatever the project requires. I also want to mention my other passion: At a young age I fell in love with the hip hop culture, music, art and dance. Following in my older cousin’s footsteps, I learned breaking (break dancing) and the art of graffiti. Diving into both disciplines I started to develop my new way of life, style and expression. I had difficulty to balance both practices, so after high-school, in 2003, I decided to focus on breaking. I competed all over the US, judged, was an instructor, and even organized several breakdancing events, coming back to painting in 2013.