We had the good fortune of connecting with Pedro AMOS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pedro, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in Miami Beach and raised in Miami, Florida. Miami is a complete melting pot of international cultures and a broad mix of social economic classes. My career in art started with graffiti in the early 90’s. Graffiti was not popular, it was demonized and frowned upon. But following my passion didn’t fail me. Graffiti taught me to improvise, create and believe in my dopeness. You have your biggest success and failure in public when it comes to street art. An open minded man who’s not afraid of success or failure is who I’ve become because of my background and upbringing. A true mix of passion and stick-to-it-ness has paid off for me. I do what I love and that’s priceless.

-Pedro AMOS

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Provenance. The origins of my art stems from graffiti. Painting illegally in the streets, and especially painting freight trains. This art form was not as socially acceptable as it is today. I never thought a career in arts was possible, especially coming from a graffiti background. Passion can not be taught, due to the fact that I loved graffiti and art in general, I never quit. There were years where I wasn’t so active painting wise, but I never stopped… ever. Life happens and the world tells you to “grow up” and conform. That message can be via a lack of money or new responsibilities. I always felt if your alarm rings in the morning and you’re not motivated to get out of bed you have a problem. My story isn’t a clean cut. There were a ton of hard times and missteps along the way. Persistence was key. Adapting to a changing world, education, and flagrant solicitation of others that were doing what I wanted to do was pivotal. Ten years ago I had a newborn son, negative money in my bank account and bad credit. I was terrified. I knew that if I didn’t change direction and focus I wasn’t going to succeed.. so I changed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course a strong family upbringing helped me immensely. Instilling pride and self worth within me at a young age has carried over into my adult life. I try to pass that same feeling down to my son. My graffiti brothers in F.S. crew, who mentored me, and put up with a rebellious, hardheaded juvenile like myself for so many of my formidable years. Remember, I came up in the era of mentorship not YouTube tutorials, it was different to learn a craft back then.

Website: www.pedroamos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedro_amos_/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pedro_AMOS_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057594513135

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPk-kAq6Z09T6YFsP1w6rrQ

Other: www.miamisbestgraffitiguide.com @miamisbestgraffitiguide @pedro_amos_galeria

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