I kicked off my birthday month this summer by hitting the Beyond The Streets exhibition in Los Angeles, CA.- and let me tell you I was far from disappointed. This exhibition originally ran from MAY 6th through JULY 6th, 2018 but this exhibition that was curated by Roger Gastman and his killer team, was so BEYOND EPIC that it was extended a couple of times throughout the summer. If you missed it, let me tell you- you f**ked up a tad bit. Beyond The Streets was an enormous collaboration of artist from graffiti street art, sculpting, canvas, photography, print making to slicing a damn police car straight down the middle -just “like bacon” as said-(work by @riskrock) ALL coming together to celebrate the street art culture. Through out the exhibition I was in awe- for one I am a HUGE street art feen so it was pure joy seeing many of my favorite artist- work come together to celebrate ART and to celebrate the artist that helped shape the street art culture. From the pioneers to the new heads, this was ONE MASSIVE piece of art in itself -nothing but LOVE and so much heART in one exhibition, and of course I couldn’t help but to take tons of photos (you can see more throughout my portfolio). Overall not even the photos captured-can do this event enough justice but hopefully you’ve enjoyed what i’ve captured. Until next time- to Infinity & Beyond The Streets!…..

Written By: D_Visuales

Beyond The Streets 2018 — Beyond The Streets
2018

Los Angeles, CA

Beyond The Streets 2018

Los Angeles, CA.

Q & A:

Q: Basics about you? Name, Age, Location?..

A: Diana Moreno, I'm 26 years of age. I was born in Orange County- Santa Ana to be exact, raised my entire life in San Bernardino, California, and currently making money moves in L.A. (laughs) I'm based out in California basicly.

Q: Where does the "D_Visuales" come from?

A: "Visuales" is visuals translated in spanish, clever I know! (laughs) and "D"- some of my people call me that, it's just simple I like that.

Q: How and/ or when did you become interested in photography/ film?

A: I've always been interested in the arts in general, whether it being art or music- but I think photography, video, film, etc stems from an early age. I never took it serious or considered taking it serious until last year when I started traveling. Though I can remember being 9-10 years old obsessed with MTV's- Making The Video. I was obsessed with music videos. My dad one year for my birthday or Christmas, I can't remember- bought me a VHS- recorder camera that I would use, I took it with me to Mexico for a family vacation. The footage is embarrassing (laughs), point being- my interest in photography really started with video. I was super young, as I grew up i became a rebellious teenager and left it alone.

Q: So when did your interest increase again?

A: It's always been there I feel, when I got older my sister got into photography and I thought she was the coolest for that. Also over the years my best friend since second grade got into photography while we were in high school. She was just good. I've watched her over the years as she's taking photos. I mean she's doesn't do it professionally, it could be just watching her take a photo on her phone and she's great. She also gives the best advice and direction when it comes to it. But I really-really got interested when I followed this young artist by the name of Mundo on twitter, he mostly does film- cool skater kid that takes dope photographs and just his whole aesthetics is f***ing amazing. This had to be in 2015 I believe , maybe 2016. Then I started traveling and that's when I was like yo! you mean I could keep this moment for ever! by taking a picture or video?, I f**k with this!

Q: When and why did you decide to start sharing on social media?

A: I have so much photos I haven't shared. Some of it-is too special I feel. As far as social media, I only had a FaceBook and Twitter for years. Instagram I literally got in 2017 when I was working a side job at a medical marijuana dispensary, we had to promote through their social media accounts and I didn't know s**t about IG or SnapChat (laughs). I thought both were mad weird (still do), but at that point I got my own accounts to just get a hang of it. Instagram now has been my go-to, just like Twitter to keep up with my favorite artist, events. etc. So through there I've found so many more dope artist that have inspired me. SnapChat I've never been good at (seems too personal)- (laughs). But overall Instagram and Twitter, even though I hate to admit it became a great place to promote yourself as a brand, share your work, and just in general a great place to connect with other artist. Times are changing, and now I understand I can't be so against everything all the time.

Q: Anything or anyone specifically that inspires you and your work?

A: A lot of things and a lot of people inspire me, it ranges from my hometown- just seeing that struggle of my city. My family, my friends, my nephews, my niece, my god-daughter, my dope a** cousins. I'm also just surrounded by creative people, strong women, and mad hustlers. That alone is inspiring. As far as well known artist- they range from different art mediums not just photographers. Yoon Ambush, Daniel Arsham, Kaws, Asteryx (Terry), EnkryptLosAngeles, Evidence (he's a dope rapper but also is really good behind the lenses-his mom was an actress and photographer also so that's really dope.), also Daniel Weintraub a.k.a Halopigg (I love what he's doing).

Q: So up until last year-2017, is when you wanted to take photography serious-as a profession? Is that what your taking on full time now?

A: Yes I would say late 2016 when I began traveling with my best friend. If I'm being completely honest, yes it's at my highest interest. It's fun, I feel free when I'm out capturing a moment- but to place myself in a box and solely call myself a photographer, I don't know- life's a f***in trip. I said Yoon Ambush was someone who inspires me, a big reason is because she does all kinds of s**t that you can't pin point exactly what she does. I mean she just became director of Jewelry for Dior but she just doesn't do that. I love that shit. I love how free that is. I don't want to be put in a box, I want to do what ever the f**k my little heart desires, I want to stay an amateur at everything I do, I want to stay a student, I want to stay hungry- it's what drives me. So as far as full time, I currently hold a full time job as a Cosmetic Chemist/ Lab Tech- yes I create cosmetics for a living, so financially unless photography takes off- I can't take it on full time. I enjoy both, they both are great careers and industries to be a part of. But who's to say, one day I just say f**k it-pick up and travel to photograph. (laughs) What a dream, right? Like I said, life's a f***ing trip, so who knows?...

Q: What are other interest you have? Maybe you might take on at some point in life or Is photography just where you see yourself?

A: I have so many interest, it's almost ridiculous (laughs). I mean I just love art, I appreciate all forms of art. I love going to galleries and checking out new exhibitions, I love mural hoping through cities and taking photos of random shit-all of that. So if there is a job title for that, where do I sign up? (laughs)- but if I could say anything else, definitely own my own business, be my own boss. I cringe every time someone tells me what to do (laughs). No I don't want to be a manger under another company, I legit want my own s**t. But I'm off topic, something else- um I'd possibly be terrible at this but acting in a film- it's on my bucket list- maybe one day. That would be super cool to tell my grandkids one day, like yo- your grandma was an actress at some point. Or maybe also a music producer, I love beats/ instrumentals. It was something that has always intrigued me. Anything behind the scenes of music, even A&R. That one semester I went to college for (laughs) was actually for music management.

Q: College? You went to college?

A: Yes, but not for long. As much as I believe it's really important, I also believe it's just not for everyone. I give mad props to anyone in college that shit is wild difficult, at least it was for me. So i applaud anyone on that grind. It's just, I personally don't enjoy a classroom setting and I hate being tested. I also just came to realize that my attention span is at like a 3 to 4 minute interval (laughs). I think it stems from growing up on music videos. If you think about it- music videos only last 3 to 4 minutes than it's over, you've lost my interest (laughs). I even suck at watching movies and shows. I can't sit there for long, I prefer to read- even then I have this bad habit of reading multiple books at a time. So when one has lost my attention, I can move to the other one and back. Takes me longer to finish one book but whatever. And I have completely changed the subject here (laughs). Do you see why I dropped out of college?...

Q: Any advice for students? Who maybe are in college and are interested in some sort of art but can't find a medium between school and their art-scape?

A: My advice? Well I would like to start this off by giving a disclaimer I don't want to f**k up any ones life (laughs), but all I can say is if you can go to college for the specific art your into and you enjoy school then go for it. Work hard for it, if you hate school or feel like you're only going to school because it is what your parents want or what society expects of you. I say f**k that s**t, now that does not mean you won't have to work as hard. You'll have to work as hard if not harder, the starving artist shit people talk about is a real thing. Don't give up though, I doubt myself almost everyday. I myself am my biggest critique, ain't nobody harder on me than I am on myself. So I completely understand the feeling of wanting to give up. I just hope that by sharing my work or even these f**king blogs- maybe that will help motivate at least one person out there. I hope that alone is the best advice for them that I can give and not just students- even someone who has dreams and are stuck in a bulls**t a** routine in life that they hate. I am just like you. Eat, sleep, s**t, and doubt myself- just like you. Keep f**king pushing. "You're doing amazing sweetie." -Kris Jenner. (laughs)

Q: Best way to describe your work? What are your weapons of choice?

A: I prefer photographing street art, murals, graffiti, people, landscape, I like going to galleries and sharing the work of these amazing artist that some people might not be aware of. Another reason why I became interested in photography of this sort and sharing it-is because there are kids and some people who might now have means of any transportation and/or just don't have the luxury of traveling to where ever I might be- but they do have the ability to go onto my website and or social media accounts and get put on to maybe some things they wouldn't otherwise might have known of. That ability to connect. Art man, that s**t is universal!...Weapons of choice- I'm currently using my Sony Alpha A6000, Minolta X700, and I can't forget to give credit to the most underated- the iPhone. I'm learning every day man, I still suck & I feel like I have so much more to learn- but I feel good about this, and I do want to look back a year or two from now and see me progression. I'm hella open to advice myself even the negative s**t so comment or email me- I'm with that.

Q: Best way for people to find your work and/or contact you?

A: My website: www.dvisuales.com - Email @ dianamoreno@dvisuales.com ; IG: D_Visuales ; Twitter: D_Visuales

BLOG #3: Mariella Angela- Gallery Opening Reception

BLOG #2: Beyond The Streets- Summer 2018

BLOG #1: GETTING TO KNOW ME & MY WORK.

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