Weston Riffle sees art as something more than an artistic interpretation of the scenery surrounding him: It’s a way to understand and cope with life.

In April and May, his San Diego-inspired art will be featured at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts (15498 Espola Road). The show will run until May 27.

As a San Diego native, Riffle grew up in east county surrounded by the colors and sights of the agricultural industry and mountains found in Ramona. These scenes inspired his creativity at a young age.

“I grew up in Ramona and I suppose the colors and atmosphere in Southern California are what I use,” said Riffle. “Back when I was a kid, there were a lot of rugged individuals living on their ranches. What’s been instilled in a lot of people my age who come from California, it’s changed since then, was a theme back then where you grow up and live on your own ranch. I guess what I’m doing is trying to express individuality and have a sense of self-respect no matter where and what you’re doing.”

The culture in east county has evolved since his childhood, but what remains a consistent force within his art is the place of belonging and home.

“I’ve always just from being a little kid was like, ‘You feel like an outsider,’” said Riffle. “A lot of people end up doodling or drawing. I’ve been doing that forever. But, I started painting during college at SDSU.”

While at SDSU he studied public administration to establish a career separate from his art. While simultaneously taking an art class, he sold his first piece.

“I just started selling paintings right away,” said Riffle.

One of his first big selling projects ended up informing his unique name Fat Sip.

“There was a painting I did early on when I lived in Oakland. It was a woman drinking tea and I thought of the name based on that. That was the first big painting I ever sold,” said Riffle.

Depicting the culture of rural life and agricultural business, Riffle said he doesn’t aim to tell a specific message; however, the scenes presented in his work such as laboring farmers encourage viewers to stop and think about the people he depicts.

“When I’m doing them, I’m not wanting to send somebody else a message. I don’t want to tell anybody anything,” said Riffle. “That is not my purpose in doing this stuff. My purpose is that I feel the need to make these paintings. I’ve always done it, even as a kid.”

Part of his philosophy around art is his belief that it should be accessible to all which is why he has called himself an “anti-artist.”

“I don’t believe in art talk and the way people use it,” said Riffle. “I think everybody is an artist. That’s what I mean by anti-artist.”

Now residing part-time in Del Cerro and the other part in Idyllwild, his art has branched into the scenery of his home in the mountains. But in his upcoming Poway exhibit, over 80 pieces from his artistic career will be on display. The exhibit is called, “The Sweat and the Panic: People, Produce and Concrete: People, Produce and Concrete.”

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” said Riffle. “Some of these are as old as 20 years old. These will mostly be things oriented around San Diego County, Riverside County, and Imperial County — a combination of different parts of San Diego.”

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

– Elaine Alfaro is a journalism student at Point Loma Nazarene University and a former intern for the La Mesa Courier.