"I'm going to grow up to be an artist," claimed Jason Haley after being given his first paintbrush.
That was in Oceanside back in 1984 -- he was 5 years old -- the brush, a gift from his kindergarten teacher. These days, he lives in San Francisco, uses a spray can instead of a brush, his name is now Chor Boogie, and, yes, he's very much the artist he said he'd become.
Over the years, Boogie has dabbled in many forms of art, but spray-painting is where life's path has taken him. He's considered to be one of the true "spray masters" and is at the forefront of transforming the art form from its roots on the streets into the galleries of the world. His work can be seen -- both on canvas and as gigantic, colorful wall murals -- in such far-off lands as China and Australia. Among his clients: Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner.
Char Boogie also has work in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, which this week is hosting "Viva La Revolucion," its first major International street art exhibition, featuring works by artists from eight countries. In conjunction with this show, there are two others taking place this weekend where you can catch some of Boogie's unique work on display. California USA (U.rban S.treet A.rtists) opens Friday at the Alexander Salazar Gallery at 7th Avenue and Broadway, then on Saturday, "Out From Underground" debuts at the Edgeware Gallery, 4186 Adams Avenue.
Check out the links below for more info on the shows and the artist Chor Boogie.
