I can picture her out on the streets…alone…with her paint. It’s better that way sometimes….no one to bother or distract. This native Eastsider has talent that just won’t quit as she mixes it up and freely speaks he
r mind. Her voluptuous, strong doll-like characters, Sand Chikz can be found anywhere this graffiti artist Sand One wants to paint. This nineteen year old hustler comes from the laid back barrios of Los Angeles—east that is. And has had time to run through the streets of Miami and Puerto Rico – creating her unique masterpieces, but this is only the beginning.
What is your real name? Maria de la Concha Chaves
What is your hometown? East Los Angeles, California
Age? 19 [she stands to have many opportunities in front of her...how awesome]
Did you go through art training or are you self taught? Street taught
Where can the public purchase your merchandise/art? City West Boutique or the Garage
What was your inspiration to do what you do? The freedom of making anything…a piece of canvas, a wall or even a truck…anything can be a surface to paint on.
What is your favorite childhood memory? My mother adding chunks of mascara to her eyelashes and me telling her it looked like spider legs now I exaggerate my eyelashes and I paint huge overlapping lashes on my cartoons
How do you describe your artwork? Ghetto hardcore, Sand Chikz, ‘Anything you can do I can do better, or ‘It’s a man’s world and I’m in it!’
Can people find you on the net? Where? sandoner.com
Where do you see yourself going in the future with your artwork? I hope I get financial stability but I m not sure what awaits…I’m not sure what I’m doing tomorrow.
How did you get the name “Sand”? I just liked it. It’s smooth…it’s me, now when you hear Sand, Sand is me.
Is it any different being a female artist verses a male artist? It is scarce… there are not many females. It is only a few.
What is your personal history? I was born in East Los Angeles…I love pupusas and I paint Sand Chikz all day. I don’t smoke, drink, or party… I just paint and I love Thai food! Pad that shrimp!! And I enjoy being a loaner.
What is your favorite type of music? Jose Jose/ Emmanuel/Sublime /Ana Gabriel/Gangstarr/Biggie/Ghetto Boyz/Mos Def/the Grouch [can anyone really pick one?]
Any suggestions for future artists? Just paint but don’t call it abstract because you can’t paint…look at other art and follow the art you feel is right. Don’t listen to people, because at the beginning, they will always doubt of your success until proven wrong.
What are your favorite surfaces to paint on? Walls, trucks, smooth dumpsters, leather purses, U-hauls, metal abandoned buildings … [I think the list goes on]
What is your life motto? ‘Go big or go home’ along with ‘Get it while the game is big!’
Definitely check online www.sandoner.com though if you find yourself in East LA then take a look around the Sand Chikz can’t be missed.
Popularity: 40% [?]
Had errors viewing the website in Safari on the Mac, but I still loved the site!
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