Bio
Curtis Wayne Riley, Jr., also known as "Boze," is a visual artist from Oakland, California. Boze discovered his passion for drawing at a young age, recreating his favorite cartoon characters as he watched them on TV. He attended the Oakland Arts School and developed his own unique style of drawing as a teenager. After graduating, Boze incorporated urban themes and symbolism into his artwork.
Boze's artistic style draws inspiration from a range of ideas and subjects, reflecting his appreciation of music, social issues, and spirituality. He employs various mediums to create stunning artwork that speaks to people's souls. Boze has been commissioned to produce numerous personal pieces, as well as design logos and cover art for both local independent record labels and major recording artists.
Artist Statement
"LivingTheArtLife22" is not just a catchphrase that I use to grab attention, but it is the journey I experience as a visual artist. My inspiration to create came from watching cartoon characters on TV and reading comic books. This inspiration led me to experiment with various art mediums and subjects, which eventually helped me develop my signature style.
As I continued to create, I learned to appreciate "moments of creativity," and I realized that allowing my ego to interfere in the creative process blinded me to lessons and growth. I also draw inspiration from my passion for various music genres, including jazz classics, soul and R&B, 80s and 90s hip-hop, and AfroHouse.
By remaining open to learning and appreciating the journey, I have grown as a visual artist and discovered the freedom to be a part of the greater process of creativity.