“I’m an artist naturally. My mom said I started drawing before I could talk. But business isn’t something that comes naturally to me. ” When you feel like someone is trying to reach into your pocket, it’s kind of hard to get a real connection with that person.

“With most of my art, I usually do the first one free. Some people try to take advantage of that, but it helps me realize their intentions.

“I’ve been very blessed lately. I’ve reached out and started working with some pretty awesome musicians and artists. I get to do a lot of really cool art for people who inspire me, so I’m definitely excited.

“Of course, you need to make some money to keep going, but that’s never been what drives me. My focus is the work. Art is my heart.”

He also makes music under the name Rachet Racket. You can follow him on Twitter @NitEWriterS23.

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The post He’s no fan of the business side of art appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“People may look at me for five seconds walking down the street and think I’m just some gutter punk out here, like I don’t have a life that matters. But I’m just trying to make it in this world like everybody else.

“When people go to bed at night in their houses without any question about anything, and they pray to God to take care of their loved ones and sleep well, I don’t blame them one bit for that. They deserve it. Brother, that’s something I’ve wanted all of my life.”

— Vann

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The post He dreams of a safe, peaceful life for his family appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I’d like to do something with neuroscience, like help create new technology. They have robotics nowadays that can help the brain with muscle movements. It would be cool to develop things like that, maybe to help blind people see again by activating neuronic sensors in their brain. I just find the brain really interesting.”

— Robert Mejia

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The post He’d like to use neuroscience to help the blind see appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I’ve got a tattoo of Jesus on my neck because, man, I struggled a lot in life. I had moments where I was really down and out. I was in the mud. I was in a hole and I didn’t think I would come up. But I just kept praying and praying and finally, you know, good things started happening. I just had to wait. I had to be patient.”

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The post ‘I was in a hole and didn’t think I would come up’ appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I started getting tattoos when I was 14. Now I have them on my legs, chest, back and neck.

“The first one I got was my last name on my stomach, because I look up to my dad and mom. They came here from Mexico and they struggled. When I was young, I never asked them for anything. I knew we didn’t have much money, but they always provided food on the table and a roof over our heads. That tattoo really means a lot to me. It’s for them.”

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The post He shows parents love with name tattoo appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I’m working on a comic strip. I haven’t named it yet. It’s a little hard to tell with these tattoos, but one character is a grasshopper and the other is a sensei. I started writing it out on napkins, but I also do stuff in a sketchbook.”

What’s the plot?
“They set out to a find a job and try to get rich. They hear this guy telling a story about golden arches. He’s talking about McDonald’s, but they don’t know that. They’re looking for real golden arches.”

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The post Oh where, oh where are those golden arches? appeared first on The Baytown Project.