![\"James](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/final14webtop.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cMy work is a real-time dialogue that questions, \u2018what does this mean?\u2019\u201d the 35-year prodigy said. \u201cThe work\u2019s not dead. It\u2019s an excavation, an unraveling that incites thought, \u2018Why is this happening?\u2019 You don\u2019t just get it by looking at it.\u201d<\/p>\n Sullivan\u2019s work combines graffiti street art with illustrations that \u201cevoke an understanding of the people and their expressions.\u201d Slightly outlandish and \u201ckooky\u201d images narrate tales of urban life. Colors balance together. Nothing is callous. \u201cPinks, blues, and yellows are coarse and rough,\u201d he continued, \u201cbut subdued so they\u2019re not raw. I wrap a street urban feel with light to create an all encompassed feeling of life.\u201d<\/p>\n Although inspired by the Latino graffiti art of East LA, Sullivan refuses to label himself as a graffiti artist or a tagger. The impressionistic, part computerized, part hand-drawn graffiti modern was cultivated through trial and error. Successful pieces \u2013 lighthearted and tantalizing hues interlaced between a sea of faces that depict Sullivan\u2019s love for life and art \u2013 sell well.<\/p>\n \u201cMy large, colorful abstract work sells well,\u201d he said. \u201cI wanted a style that would brand my work outside of abstract art. I can manipulate different mediums and distinguish myself among other abstract artists with graffiti street art. And the design allows me to work large scale; as a matter of fact, the bigger the canvas, the better it looks. Facial snapshots bring life and reality to the work while I bring my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n RAW chose Sullivan because of the uniqueness of his gift. \u201cI found James on the Etsy website,\u201d said Heather Ireland, RAW\u2019s San Diego and Nashville showcase director. \u201cI was amazed by his work and reached out with an opportunity to present at RAW San Diego. RAW picks the best of the best and James is an awesome talent with great communication skills, both of which will take him very far. \u201d<\/p>\n RAW is an independent art organization founded by artists for artists. Noted to \u201cprovide independent artists of all creative genres with the tools, resources, and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity,\u201d RAW showcases artists within the first 10 years of their career. Artists include those dedicated to film, fashion, music, visual art, performing art, hair and makeup. The monthly, one-night pop-up art arena spans 60 cities throughout the United States, Australia, Canada and the U.K. Described as an \u201camazing circus of creativity,\u201d the 6-year-old organization was founded by fashion designer Heidi Luerra for the \u201cmany people who are talented yet go unnoticed.\u201d Film screenings, live musical performances, runway fashion shows, and a visual art gallery reign among the featured spotlights \u201cto be seen, heard, and loved.\u201d<\/p>\n Sullivan is no stranger to the harsh reality of life as an artist. Years in LA as a full-time artist lay the foundation for balancing supplemental contract jobs with his artistic endeavors.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not a starving artist today because I learned the hard way living in LA as a full-time artist,\u201d he said. \u201cMonths are great and months are not. An additional source of income lightens the load so everything isn\u2019t dependent on selling pieces \u2013 which is a career in itself. Anxiety, angst and apprehension make my artwork gloomy and ominous. I strive to create fun, positive art that vibrates with levity; pieces that people want to look at forever.\u201d<\/p>\n Sporting a bachelor\u2019s of science degree in business administration from San Diego State University not only enabled Sullivan to sustain himself through the economic downturn, it gave him back his art.<\/p>\n \u201cI took a five-year corporate job hiatus to rid myself of the financial jam that art put me in,\u201d he said. \u201cDefeated, but prudent, I worried that I was wiping my dream clear. And during that time everyone expressed my artistic ability as a blessing; a gift of God\u2019s calling. My heart wanted back in. So when I arrived at the perfect place to be an artist in a practical sense \u2013 no debt, a savings, no marriage and kids \u2013 I knew that it was time.\u201d<\/p>\n Time is now on Sullivan\u2019s side. More than 80 pieces are exhibited in multiple art galleries in San Diego, Los Angeles and Las Vegas as well as local coffee shops, salons, restaurants, yogurt shops and bars.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>