J. Myztico Campo, or "Tico" as his friends call him was born on the revolutionary island of Cuba. His Parents left Cuba when he was less than a year old to escape Castro's expanding dictatorship and moved to New York City. Tico was raised in the Heart of Times Square, formerly known as Hell's Kitchen or more recently as the Theatre District. His interest in the arts began at the age of 5, primarily inspired by his fathers, light hearted drawings of cowboys, indians & assorted NYC characters. Fascinated by how lines formed images he became engrossed with art. Spending hours with coloring books,drawing dinosaurs,monsters,skeletons & odd creations. He was also influenced at this young age by the animated art of Max Fleischer, Ralph Bakshi, Robert Crumb and Marvel Comics as well as the local NYC Graffitti Art. In grammar school Tico excelled in his art, history, english & science studies. At the age of 11, Tico was awarded an Art Scholarship to the Manhattan School of Arts in New York City, however due to personal family circumstances he was unable to accept it at that time, It was fate as his natural style continued to develop!
From the ages of 15 through to 19, he became a co-founding actor in the Family Life Theatre Group in New York City (sponsored by NY Medical College), touring the United States & Canada. This cutting edge improvisational teen group performed for thousands of high school/college students, medical professionals, teachers, senators, congress people,as well as appearing several times on PBS Television ,local NYC area television programs & various newspaper/magazine publications.
The Family Life Theatre became the model for Elizabeth Swado's Pulitzer winning Broadway Production "RUNAWAYS". In spite of a promising acting career ahead of him it was Tico's first love and passion for art & music that was to be his main focus. During his mid 20s/30s he went on to show his work at art galleries throughout NYC, Miami, Boston, Baton Rouge,New Orleans, New Jersey, Long Island, and Washington, DC as well as performing with various local bands as a guitarist/producer. As a musician he has performed with several bands & has toured the States & Europe. You can hear samples of his musical journey on the SonicScapes Music Lounge page.
One of his paintings titled "Shamanizing" was to become part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Native Americans in Washington, DC (View this piece on the Native Americans Inspiration page). His works are mostly acrylic on canvas based as well as recent digital realm explorations.Myztico is also exploring his love of filmmaking and photography, as these are parallel creative dimensions.
In 2004 Tico studied at the Digital Film Academy in NYC where he wrote, animated & directed a short student film,"The StarSeed Incident" which premiered as a "work in progress" at the 2004 HBO sponsored NY International Latino Film Festival in NYC. Winning an "Independent Light " award with his producing partner (fellow Family Life Theatre colleague) & lead actor Antone Pagan of Silent Warrior Productions (currently in the process to launch the long anticipated revival of the Pulitzer nominated prison drama "SHORT EYES" written by Miguel Pinero) that inspired the tv series "OZ". The Director of Photography for "StarSeed" is Pedro Carvajal who directed/produced the highly acclaimed Documentary "POPaganda: The Art & Crimes of Ron English http://www.popaganda.com/popDocumentary.shtml
Visionary Surrealism and Inter-Dimensional realms inspires his work.His original paintings are collected by a wide variety of art lovers from all walks of life. He is presently completing a new series of paintings based on his study of various ancient cultures that explore themes such as; Shamanism, Dreamtime, Entheogens , Sumeria, Mayan and Earth Spirit energies. Myztico paints mostly with acrylics as well as within the digital domain exploring Corel Painter X, Twisted Brush Pro and JASC Paint Shop Pro.
Visit Myztico's evolving line of Visionary T-shirt designs at Lucid Shaman Designs: www.myztico.spreadshirt.com
Myztico is currently seeking representation internationally...Past Gallery art shows with no specific dates over the last decade in the USA include: CB's Gallery 313, Agora, Gill Gallery, Coda, Kostabi World, Grant Gallery, DFN Gallery, Studio 18, Ward-Nasse Gallery, Novo Arts,Phoenix Gallery,Galleria Cuba,One Zeime's Art Bar, amongst several others.
Feel free to explore all of the galleries by clicking on the links to the left of this page. All works are available for sale (some as originals, most as high quality limited edition hand signed giclee on stretched canvas frames,posters,cards,t-shirts.) All feedback encouraged. Myztico wants to share with you his Visionary, Surreal,Spiritual, Sacred, Psychedelic Art as well as his Music, Photography & Poetry...Now go on and explore the galleries & enjoy! If you like what you see or hear, feel free to pass this link onto your friends or post in art forums: http://myztico.mosaicglobe.com
Please feel free come back often as new content is added weekly!
Special Thanks to the Campo Famila (Mom, Dad, Martha, Helena & William M. Jr., for all of your support, guidance, belief & love for me. I miss you all sooo very much! A sincere thank you to the Robins family for their belief and support of all my creative endeavors these last several years. To Rebecca, my wife-band mate collaborator in "OFF the GRID" for her generosity and teachings. To Leah & IlsaJackson for their love, kindness & friendship over many years. To my life long Friends (Brothers from other Mothers) Antone Pagan, Rene Lespier, Rick (music man) Rivera, Anthony Sepulveda, Rolando "AJ" Navarro, Pedro Carvajal & Rok for their continued artistic encouragement. I would like to acknowledge all the people who continue to grace my life, inspiring me I acknowledge each of you with sincere deep appreciation. A special MISSING YOU to my dear younger brother William whose spirit is now embraced by the eternal light of Truth and Love! Always in my Heart!!!! May you be dancing in the LIGHT...
Most importantly, to our Divine Creator with whom I co-create within the Divine Matrix of Infinite love & Unbounded Wisdom, it is through my belief and faith that I am honored to be a vessel of it's eternal creative energies! THINK PEACE! SHATTER THE ILLUSIONS!
© 2009 J. Myztico Campo: All images/music/film (except where noted) & poetry on this site are the intellectual creative property of J. Myztico Campo. You may not reproduce these images in any way without express written permission by the artist. CARPE CREATIVO DIEM!
