Bua returns with the release of his new book, The Legends of Hip Hop, featuring the key pioneers of hip hop during his time as a practitioner of the elements. Aside from his incredible work, I was interested in hearing  about his perspectives on life and art and how it has influenced his pieces throughout the years. He discusses the hustle, the struggle and the much needed attitude that has allowed him to breakthrough as a leader in creating compelling visuals to reflect his distorted reality. Digging through Bua’s intellect, I was enlightened by what he had to share with our audience and encourage you to check out his work, both new and old. Bua can be found at his next event on Monday, Dec 12th at the LACMA, along side DMC himself from Run DMC. Check out more info at www.justinbua.com.

On defining his style…

The architecture and the characters are a little bit more of a heightened reality, but it’s a nice place to be. Maybe you go there in a dream state, and that’s basically where I want to take you in my painting.

On how he developed his style…

It was the infusion of both the classical world of my home surroundings, my apartment, and that infusion in the intersection of graffiti that kind of gave a birth to my work-a classical kind of graffiti style.

On his transition from NY to LA…

For me, when I was in New York, I didn’t see that I was on a treadmill until I stepped off. That was LA for me. And I was like, “Whoa, the world has really slowed down.”

On advice for aspiring artists…

Perseverance is really the best thing. You have to keep knocking on the door. You really just have to try and try and try and believe in yourself because no ones gonna believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself.