This PArt of my Story...... Cristian Vega-Rojo was born in Vallenar, Chile, a little city in the middle of one of the driest desserts in the world. The Atacama dessert, where he grew up, is a fascinating place, with an explosion of color that occurs every August known as, Desierto Florido". The sparse dry land explodes with beautiful colored flowers that transform the landscape.

At an early age Cristian began using pencils, crayons, temperas and oils to tell stories and express his hidden emotions. At age six he created his first comic strip, which he would sell to his relatives. Another of his passions was creating radio teatros", recorded stories of super heroes defending big cities in danger.

A very turbulent childhood made him stay away from the rest and become something of an outsider. Vega-Rojo grew up during the cruel regime of Pinochet, a dictator responsible for the disappearances and deaths of many people during the 70's. Pinochets period was one of the bloodiest and dividing episodes in Chilean history.

Cristian graduated from high school in 1986 and continued art by studying Advertisement and Public Relations and for the first time experiencing life in the big city, of Santiago de Chile. In 1994 he left his homeland coming to San Francisco. Here he became fascinated with the beauty of its architecture, culture, and the open-minded society, which he decided to explore. It was in California were Vega- Rojo discovered a true passion for art and the need to express his own journey. Finding the love of his life, starting to work for first time, learning a new language, and meeting people from every color of the rainbow.

In the Bay area he attended and finished a Fine art degree at Foothill College, Los Altos hills, and also took Fashion and art classes at West Valley College in Saratoga.

Coming to LA in 2001, it remarks a change in his life. Having many shows, being part of NELA and being Cactus Gallery my home gallery. www.eclecticcactus.com Cactus gallery in Eagle Rock , Los Angeles J.Ferrari, Atwater, Los Angeles www.jferrarigallery.com Novel Cafe, Santa Monica

Artist Highlights

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