Artist and designer Mario Pena, a.k.a Elijah, has been involved in the world of art most of his life. His talents include painting, drawing, graffiti and poetry. He was born and raised in New Jersey where he still resides today. Growing up as an only child was kind of tough, says Mario. He put his God-given talent to work and would stay busy and focused for hours. Mario�s mother says she knew he was going to be an artist when he grew up, because he would constantly draw and paint on anything he could find. She was right about that prediction.
Early childhood throughout high school, Mario maintained his interest in art. From producing drawings for his classmates to making banners and posters for school events Mario was always creating. Graffiti was another way for him to express his artistic voice; however, he said that he approached the graffiti movement in a different way. He says that as a graff writer or artist he wouldn�t really bomb or tag his name on walls and other surfaces. Instead, he would paint symbols that identify who he is as an artist. Throughout the years Mario has been able to create his own language through imagery and symbols which you can find in his current pieces. Mario says �I am a story teller in my own way�. His recent works to date deal with social commentary, politics, and stereotypes.
Influences
Mom Dukes, Pablo Picasso, Basquiat, Robert Raushenberg, Warhol
Soundtrack
Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"
Digable Planets "Rebirth of Cool"
Common " I Used To Love Her"
Artist Since
1977
Goal
My goal is for me to reach the masses thru my artwork in a positive and moving kind of way where we will all one day be conscious in society and free.
