Felix

Original painting

48in x 60in x 2in, 2018

Spray paint, acrylic, and oil marker on stretched canvas, framed

Faux stained glass

12ft x 9ft, 2018

Transparent window vinyl on plexiglass

Felix is an alias of the man depicted in this painting, who always wore 1920s zoot suit style outfits and sold handmade Felix the Cat and other metal cutouts from his trunk at car shows. I met him multiple times always behind sunglasses, but here he was willing to pose for this photo which I told him I would then paint from, showing him with the front portion of his 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Lowrider, both man and machine as equally important elements to the culture. Felix the Cat is a common symbol having been used by Lowriders for generations, perhaps since 1957 when a neon Felix sign was erected over an LA Chevy dealer. I never learned his real name.

FAUX STAINED-GLASS INSTALLATION FORMERLY LOCATED AT

Native Bar & Cafe

807 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702