Chicano artist Mister Cartoon in collaboration with Beyond the Streets is exhibiting his “Just My Imagination” show at Control Gallery in Los Angeles, California through July 16th, 2023. He “began his career as a graffiti artist before branching into murals, album covers, logos, and now most famously known for his tattoos (mistercartoon.com).” He has tattooed a long list of celebrities that includes Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Travis Barker, Dr. Dre, Christina Aguilera, and 50 Cent. His current show highlights his airbrushing and drawing abilities on a variety of surfaces, including a unique classic car.

Mister Cartoon’s “Just My Imagination” demonstrates his insight into the values of Chicano culture. First, his works displayed highlight the importance of family, friendship, and social relationships. On a large canvas he painted a tombstone adorned with a decorated skull and flowers to honor dead homies. On another canvas he painted what appears to be a man reflecting; his face painted in a distinctly Chicano archetype clown. The man reflects on a woman in the clouds; below her there is a man selling flowers on a street corner. Flower vendors in Los Angeles are an ever present source of bouquets for loved ones who are with us or who have passed. On another canvas he painted Los Angeles’ imposing tall buildings that serve as backdrops to surrounding neighborhoods. And on another canvas he represents the unhoused of our communities by painting the tents that make their homes.

Mister Cartoon depicts Chicano spirituality and religion throughout “Just My Imagination”. For example, his show exhibits a tattoo shop with a painting of himself tattooing another man. Above the two, he painted a light fixture that resembles a halo. Next, a female angel appears on a large canvas with her hands clasped together in prayer. Praying hands are symbolic of Chicano culture and spirituality. He also painted what appear to be Chicano cherubs. One of those cherubs wears a backwards baseball hat as he floats in the clouds.

Mister Cartoon references the ubiquitous Catholicism of Chicano culture painting a church, the Virgin Mary, and symbols of the afterlife. The afterlife’s influence on Chicano culture can be traced through its history from Roman Catholicism to indigenous pre-Hispanic cultures that inhabited the Americas. Mister Cartoon references indigenous spirituality painting a godlike or elite figure seated cross-legged dressed ceremonial attire, including headdress, earrings, and a chest piece reading “CTOONS.”

Mister Cartoon creatively represents the American influence on Chicano culture using classic cars as both a medium and subject. He airbrushed car hoods in a distinctly Chicano style. Most impressively, he painted a one-of-a kind blue car with scenes on the back and both sides. He also painted American classic cars that serve as the central subject on his paintings. And in the earlier referenced tattoo booth, he displayed toy figurines he designed. One figure is a Medicom Bearbrick he produced in collaboration with Kong Karoon. The Bearbrick has a clown face and tattooed torso. Another toy displayed is a Felix-like cat with distinct eyes that reference the taillights of 1959 Chevrolet Impalas. This show through cars and paintings reminds us Chicanos have a distinct identity that influences and is influenced by Los Angeles and the surrounding communities.