Gerardo Rodríguez was born and raised in Puerto Rico and came to the States for college to study film and graphic design. Prior to monster art he worked in photography and video editing, helping his team earn two Emmy awards for a tv show and a documentary. It wasn't until he arrived in Austin that Gerardo began drawing monsters and painting more seriously, committing to his art full time… and the #MonstersinAustin movement began! Known for bold colors, clean lines, and trippy landscapes, Gerardo’s art ranges from big, friendly faces to weird and intriguing shapes and characters. His usual mediums include acrylic paint and paint markers on canvas, wood panels, or found objects from thrift stores, but he has also enjoyed monsterizing walls, photos, and beer can labels. He finds inspiration in nature, his graphic design background, childhood drawings, the storytelling of film, road trip adventures with his partner Carly, and from his late dog Titus. Gerardo Marvel and Star Wars, a good local brew (coffee or beer!), dogs, desert landscapes, and Christmas time. His studio, Local Monsters, opened in January 2023 on Austin’s artsy east side.