Luis Del Valle Talks D.C. Identity + Artistic Evolutions

How a D.C. stalwart artist built his career to support his dreams and the community that helped make it a reality.

In artist Luis Del Valle‘s early years in his homeland of Nicaragua, he saw political leaders using propaganda to promote their causes by using logos in the streets. He was drawn to the bold colors and the graffiti art style.

“Seeing that opened my eyes to what street art is,” Del Valle says. “And how to use images to convey a message and reach a big audience.”

When he moved to the District in the early 1980s he was once again drawn to the graffiti he saw, and began tagging the streets of D.C. while continuing to draw and paint off the streets. Realizing he wanted to be known for his art more than just his tagging, he began to study Renaissance artists like Michelangelo; surrealists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí and contemporary artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Del Valle drew inspiration from these artists and incorporated their styles into his own art.

His friends recognized his talent and encouraged him to design tattoos for them. From there, larger commissions started to manifest. The first was a mural for the fitness trainer Jake Steinfeld’s Body by Jake, best known for their ’80s aerobic exercise programs and videos. Del Valle was skeptical of the job and what it meant for his image to work in a more commercial setting, but knew it was ultimately in his best interest.

“I started hiring some of my graffiti friends to help me put this mural together,” he says. “I learned about monetizing and creating jobs and opportunities for other artists and that has carried on with me today.”

Those initial graffiti influences have never left him though, and some of his most memorable current work is creating portraits on street signs instead of just tags. His paintings range from historical figures like Malcolm X to local stalwarts. A project he is currently working on is painting community figures that are making a positive impact in D.C.

In addition to continuing to find commission work opportunities for other artists, he also gives back by being an instructor to kids in Columbia Heights, his old neighborhood, and The Arc in Southeast.

“I get a lot of joy from seeing some of my students go on and get accepted to Duke Ellington [School of Arts]. I see myself in them. I had great parents, but my environment wasn’t so great because of the crime.”

Having a safe place for youth to express themselves through art and discover their talents in art keeps Del Valle giving back to his community and reflects his belief that artistic development is a key ingredient to community development.

Del Valle continues to champion his fellow artists and the local creative community, and his upcoming slate of events is no exception. Now through September 16, you can visit “Leave It On The Board,” a skateboard design competition and exhibition curated by the artist, at Anacostia’s Honfleur Gallery.

Follow Del Valle on Instagram @luis202artist for the latest on his work. 

Honfleur Gallery: 1241 Good Hope Rd., SE, DC; honfleurgallerydc.com // @honfleurgallery

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Crystal Mayanja