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What are some other influences?

I have two different influences for my art. One is old classical masters like Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Rubens, and Leonardo da Vinci, who studied unbelievably hard, trying to figure out every single detail. When I think about how serious they were about their studies, I get deeply inspired. The other big influence is the young artists and musicians I hang out with because they try to be unique instead of imitating someone else’s style.

Is there a difference between what you portray in sketches and paintings?

They used to be different, but now, they’ve pretty much merged together. My drawings were conceptual, but my paintings were classical and realistic. Over the past few years, more and more of my paintings have gotten contemporary. I have a classical, realistic background -- that’s what I studied in school and what I’m teaching at the Academy of Art University now. However, I hang around with mostly street, graffiti-style artists and what they draw is entirely different. I take ideas from both areas and try to find something in between.

What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Definitely money? [Laughs.] I think that’s a big issue for every artist. Also, there’s not much of a market and it’s hard to have big ambitions. It’s a tough area to be ambitious in. So that was the first thing that made a lot of people around me, family members and friends, worry about me choosing to be an artist.

Yeah, the parents.

Yeah, they were just worried that I was choosing a tougher way of life. They’re really proud of me now. I’m doing what I like to do and surviving, not really great, but at least I can pay my bills.

Okay. David, I’ve always wondered about something. You wear a white beanie in all -- and I mean, all -- the photos I’ve seen.

I bought the beanie about ten years ago from a young Mexican guy who was selling his hand-made products on the streets. I just… fell in love. [Laughs.]

[Laughs.] I think it’s cute.

It’s getting worn out though. [Laughs.]

So, what was the reason for founding 2nd Round Productions?

I used to have a clothing company back in 2001 which was called Hookin Style. It made T-shirts, bag packs, caps, shoes, and many other products under that label. It was going good for three years and then I ran into some issues. But during that time, I learned a lot about how to market, promote, make products, design and everything. After that, my wife and I set up 2nd Round Productions so that we could publish my art book and make other products like I used to. I really enjoy it.

Why did Hookin Style not work out?

There were a few hassles with the investor. In the beginning, we were fine with the investor. I was one of the founders and art directors, and we were going to go more art-themed, but this investor wanted to go in a more commercialized direction and make more money right away. I was plastering my name on the front -- this is David Lee’s design, David Lee’s art, David Lee’s bag, whatever, but somebody was investing in all that. Eventually, I thought it was going too commercial and I wasn’t liking the way we were selling. I just don’t like to be too commercialized. So we couldn’t come to an agreement, you know? That’s why our company’s name is 2nd Round. The first round was Hookin Style which didn’t work out with the investor, so this time without an investor, everything is small-run and we are having direct sales with really limited quantities.

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