On January 13 in their gallery III, Thinkspace Projects will open a new body of work by Gustavo Rimada called Campo Santo. It's our first time covering Rimada since a solo show at Haven Gallery in 2016, and we are excited to see his new body of work this weekend in LA! 

I was born in Torreon, Mexico in 1981, I am the youngest of four. My memories of Mexico are few, but of those I do remember I was constantly drawing. Whenever, wherever. My mother reminded me of my gift all the time as I grew up. Always encouraging me. She knew before I did what my true passion would become.

By the age of seven my parents decided to move to California. In Mexico, my father was a lawyer, my mother a doctor. Upon arriving, their employment changed drastically. Now they were washing dishes and housekeeping. Our lives had been flipped upside down. They were tough times, but with that I saw the strength my parents put up and it is something I keep close to me.

I was raised in Indio, California. Throughout school I took art classes, it came easy. After graduating from high school, I decided (with the encouragement of family) to move to Santa Monica and attend The Art Institute where I chose to study Computer Animation. While in school, the tragedy of September 11th hit and after that happened it left me feeling inadequate in my life. I needed something more, my heart wasn’t in animation nor school anymore. While walking passed an Army Recruitment office I went in and sat down. A few hours later I was signed up and to be leaving for boot camp within weeks.

I spent three years in the Army. Within that time art took a backseat. Dabbling here and there but nothing serious. It really wasn’t until about two years after the Army that I was given two huge pieces of MDO board to paint on. It was truly the beginning of my journey back into art.

My heart and hand took over. I sketched, I painted till late in the night. Painting on everything from shoes to bags, to just about anything. In less than a month I filled a sketchbook full of Elvgren pinups and Olivia paintings. Soon after all that, I started working at a tattoo shop. The tattoo world inspired my artwork with a whole new life and passion. The knowledge and history of the industry was incredible to me.

It has now been well over a decade in this profession. Art has given me so much knowledge of maturity and growth, and I will continue to pursue it with my whole being. It is my air and my life. I would say that in every piece I create I learn something new in what ever the context of the painting brings. Each detail, each decision of color, it has become an education all in its own.

I am definitely a workaholic with painting, and honestly, I love what I do. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. I truly eat, breath and sleep art. I work hard and will continue to do so whatever it may be.

Last but not least I am a devoted father, husband and family man, but non the less a truly passionate artist. Thank you for being here and reading my story. —Gustavo Rimada