About the Artist

Viviana Tornero was born in Los Angles California during the post-baby boom era. She was influenced by the rock culture of the 70s and spray-paint enthusiasts from her local high school. “Born an artist, always an artist,” she proclaimed herself the school muralist of the second grade. From there she advanced well into adulthood as designer and illustrator for her graduate school’s university press.

Formal training? Well, yes, but quite the roundabout. Viviana believes that while it is possible to learn skill and technique, she says, “there are some things that are just innate. When people ask me how I come up with ideas, or what makes something look balanced, well – I just have a knack for all that.”

Viviana didn’t take standard classes in graphic design; she took it a step further with silkscreen-printing classes at the North Valley Occupational Center in Mission Hills, CA. She didn't waste a second before getting hired at a printing company even before graduating from high school. Her large design portfolio was amassed within a short period of time which enabled her to land job after job: first, as an advertising director for a local newspaper, then as an art director for small town advertising agency.

Enjoying her creative ride, Viviana became proficiently adept in the graphic design industry’s ever changing technological advances, even though she claims that her hands-on knowledge of old-school practices is what gives her work the most streamlined look possible.

Viviana has learned the design industry from the ground up. So, when her chance came to attend college, it made more sense to her to obtain her masters degree in writing and publishing than any other field. This accomplishment came years after her children were out of diapers.

Many of Viviana’s constituents are amazed at her never-ending satchel of design tricks. She always laughs when party-goers (usually graphic designers) try to pick her brain. “You’d think I was a brain surgeon or something,” she laughs. “When in actuality, I just happen to remember what an x-acto knife is…"

Viviana continually praises other artists.“It’s important to support one another. There are a lot of really great artists out there. Many have become great by just keeping at it.” In the meantime, her passion for spray painting may soon express itself in your local neighborhood. If so, enjoy the view!