Richard Marz (Martinez) is an artist whose mastery lies in fusing classical influences with contemporary innovation, creating dynamic, boundary-pushing art. His journey as an artist has taken him worldwide and through multiple artistic movements, shaping a unique visual language that blends naturalism, underground comix, modern graffiti, and graphic design (specifically, David Carson).

Richard's early interest in art sparked at a young age, growing into an undeniable passion that led him from his hometown of San Diego to Paris, where he immersed himself in the city's rich artistic culture after high school. Paris deepened his understanding of art history and broadened his horizons regarding technique and creative expression. Surrounded by the city's vibrant scene, Richard honed his painting skills and accelerated his artistic development.

His next major shift came when he moved to New York's Greenwich Village, where his style evolved dramatically. Working alongside underground comic artists, tattooists, and graffiti “writers,” Richard's earlier focus on naturalism began to blend with the raw energy of street art, comic book aesthetics, and tattoo / Modern Primitive culture (Jonathan Shaw and Fakir Musafar, becoming the prime influences). He met Phase 2, a key figure in the graffiti art world during this time. This pivotal moment deepened his engagement with street art, further shaping his artistic approach.

Returning to California in 1991, Richard embraced social/political muralism, creating large-scale works around Southern California. Mentored by some of the greatest Chicano artists in California (including the revered Victor Ochoa), his murals quickly gained international recognition, mainly through the prestigious San Diego/Yokohama Art Exchange exhibition. There, Richard collaborated with prestigious Mexican American and Japanese muralists to create a unique piece for Yokohama, further establishing his global presence. His impact on the local art scene earned him the San Diego Artist-in-Residence award, where he taught art and history to disadvantaged youth, and in 1992, he was awarded a Pacific Southwest Regional Emmy for a promotional campaign he worked on with other graffiti artists for the Fox Broadcasting Company.

In 1993, Richard received the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Public Art Master Plan (PAMP) grant, enabling him to create murals with local children at the National Landmark in Chicano Park. This grant acknowledged his talents as an artist and his ability to use art as a tool for community engagement and social impact.

The 1990s also marked Richard's introduction to the Lowbrow art movement, thanks to Greg Escalante, co-founder of Juxtapoz magazine. This introduction propelled him into the groundbreaking Kustom Kulture exhibition at the Laguna Museum of Art, where he showcased his work alongside icons like Robert Williams, Ed Roth, and Rick Griffin. Richard's contributions to the underground art world grew, with notable exhibitions like the Ha-Cha-Cha! A pin-up art show in New York City featured his work alongside Oliva and pin-up legend Alberto Vargas. Other standout exhibitions included the Kustom Calavera show at the Merry Karnowski Gallery (now KP Projects Gallery), where his work hung next to famed artist Mark Ryden, and the Tribute to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth exhibit at the Copro Gallery featuring all the best artists in the Lowbrow community.

Richard's artistic trajectory changed in the early 1990s when he discovered how computer technology was unlocking creative opportunities. What began as a casual interest quickly became a defining element of his creative process. Adobe's Photoshop 2.0 and Illustrator 2.0 opened up new avenues for expression, leading him to launch Axcess Magazine, a Gen-X indie publication focused on the intersection of new music, film, and the emerging technology revolution. Richard's work as a graphic designer and creative director solidified his reputation, with digital design becoming as central to his art as traditional painting and drawing.

By 1999, Richard had refined his unique hybrid style, combining digital art with traditional painting techniques. His process of printing digital works and hand-painting over them became his signature, merging the old and the new in a way that embraced and challenged contemporary art conventions.

Relocating to Los Angeles in 2000, Richard expanded his commercial work through ArtThug Studios, a brand development and design firm. His collaborations with high-profile clients like MTV, Coca-Cola, and Cartoon Network further honed his commercial illustration and graphic design skills while refining his artistic voice. Over the past 25 years, Richard's work has continued to evolve, captivating audiences with a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

During this time, he also launched a successful career as a fashion photographer through Marz Photography. His studio catered to glamour and fashion photography, where Richard blended technical precision and artistry, mastering lighting techniques for both studio and on-location shoots. With a client list that included American Pickers, Atsuko Kudo Designs, and Secrets in Lace, Richard's photography demonstrated his ability to capture bold, iconic imagery with a signature style. (New website coming soon).

Richard’s art and photography embody a fusion of life experience, artistic mastery, and a relentless pursuit of innovation, positioning him as a truly original voice in contemporary art.