Paul Flores
Written By Jose Araujo
A Mexican American graphic designer and artist from Los Angeles, his work draws from culture, family, music, and the visual language of skateboarding. Influenced by everything from skate magazines and album covers to vintage graphics and old sign boxes, he brings together the textures and details that tell stories of where we come from. Staying true to his roots and trusting his instincts, he continues to create work that reflects his experiences, his surroundings, and the things that have shaped him.
Can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?
I’m a Mexican American graphic designer and artist from L.A. My paintings and designs are influenced by my culture, my family, and the experiences that shaped me. I try to keep it honest—just making work that feels real to me and hopefully connects with other people too.
What did creativity look like in your household growing up? Were there artists in your family?
Creativity was always around in quiet but real ways. My mom and sister would take me to museums a lot, and I’d soak in whatever was on the walls. My sister would show me work from Latin painters that had a strong impact on how I saw culture and identity. But skateboarding is what really pulled me in—the graphics, the rough style, the attitude behind it. That mix of museum visits and street visuals shaped how I look at design and where I pull inspiration from.
What was it that initially sparked your interest in what you do?
Honestly, it was music and skateboarding culture that first got me into it. Seeing the graphics on boards, album covers, merch, and especially skate magazines—there was so much style and creativity in all of it. It just felt natural to start making my own stuff.
Was it hard getting your foot in the door? How was your first experience?
It wasn’t always easy, but honestly, the work you put in is what you get out of it. I had a lot of inspiration from friends and people I grew up with, so that kept me going. I just kept at it and learned along the way.
Who or where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from all over—everything I’ve lived and seen growing up. Skateboarding and music were huge parts of that, but also things like old sign boxes, vintage graphic ephemera, and little details you don’t always notice at first. It’s the mix of all those things—the worn textures, the colors, the history behind them—that really shapes how I work and what I put into my paintings and designs.
How do you stay inspired and motivated as an artist?
I keep moving forward by staying restless—there’s this quiet pull inside that won’t let me settle. It’s like the mind needs to stay awake, always reaching, always chasing something just out of reach. It’s not about finishing, but about keeping that energy flowing and letting ideas come and change naturally.
How do you know when a piece is done—or do you ever really feel that way?
You never fully feel like a piece is done—there’s always something you could add or take away. But at some point, you just have to let it go and move on. Otherwise, you’ll never stop tinkering.
What would you say is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part is really the moments when I connect with new people and the lessons that come from the mistakes I make along the way. Whether it’s a design or making work for a show, those missteps open doors to new ideas—like unexpected paths unfolding. It’s in that space where things grow and change that I find the most meaning.
Was there ever a time you considered walking away from this path? What kept you going?
I never really thought about walking away. Even when I wasn’t selling anything, I was still making—just for the love of it. Before I ever got paid for design, I was already creating graphics. It’s just something that’s always been part of me, something I’d never turn away from.
What would you like to leave behind for people to know about you or what you do?
It’s all about doing what feels right for you—just following that instinct wherever it leads. When you move like that, things start to align in their own way, even if it doesn’t make sense right away.
Is there a project you currently have or coming up that you would like us to spotlight?
No, not really. Just staying focused and building, one piece at a time.