Meet Arturo Spraycasso

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

Hi Arturo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
From the very beginning, I saw spray painting not just as a form of expression, but as a misunderstood and overlooked medium with untapped potential. Back then, most people associated spray paint with graffiti—destructive, rebellious, something to be scrubbed off a wall. But I saw something else. I saw beauty, precision, and an opportunity to elevate it into a respected art form.

When I began representing the state of New Mexico at national art expos and started bringing home first-place awards, I realized I wasn’t just making art—I was breaking ground. It became clear to me that this was more than a hobby or passion; it was a movement. And movements need structure. That’s when the business mindset kicked in.

When PBS reached out and gave me the platform to host Spraycasso: the art of spraypaint, I knew that simply showcasing the art wasn’t enough. The tools, the materials—even the paint itself—weren’t made for what I was trying to achieve. Most spray paints were designed for industrial use, not for creating fine art. So we built everything from the ground up. We formulated our own spray paints to achieve the softness and layering you’d expect in oils or classical works. We engineered canvases that could handle the velocity and chemistry of aerosol. We even designed our own art tools to better control the medium.

Starting my business was never just about selling a product it was about honoring a vision. It was about creating the infrastructure that would allow spray painting to be taken seriously, to be seen in galleries, to be taught, and to be appreciated like any other respected medium in the art world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At my core, I’m a creator. Whether it’s designing tools that shape the flow of energy in an oil refinery or pulling a universe out of color and aerosol, the drive is the same: to build something that didn’t exist before.

Most people know me for my artwork—spray paint on black canvases, cosmic dreamscapes, movement frozen in mist. But fewer know that in my Clark Kent life, I’ve spent years as a design engineer in the oil and gas industry. If your vehicle runs on gas, diesel, or jet fuel, chances are I played a part in helping design the systems that made that fuel possible. That side of me—methodical, inventive, analytical—directly fed the artistic side. When traditional spray paints and tools failed to meet the demands of fine art, it was my engineering background that allowed me to create custom aerosols, specialized canvases, and new techniques that gave spray painting a legitimate place in the fine art world.

When I was filming Spraycasso for PBS, launching a YouTube channel that became the second most-watched art channel in the world, I was also juggling engineering school and working two full-time jobs. Those were brutally hard years. But every late night, every missed holiday, every exhausted morning felt like bricks in the foundation of something bigger. There was pride in the grind because I knew I was building something lasting.

Eventually, I opened my own art studio in my hometown of Carlsbad, NM a place where I could refine my style, teach others, and compete nationwide. I took pride in being able to elevate spray painting beyond what people expected. It wasn’t just about space scenes on sidewalks anymore. It was about bringing classical beauty to a modern medium.

When the pandemic hit, I was forced to sell most of the resources I had created for spray paint manufacturing to some well-known brands. That was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is this: never give up but know when to retreat, regroup, and come back stronger. That mindset helped me endure, and it’s still the philosophy that drives me today.

The name “Spraycasso” was born from a fusion of spray paint and Picasso I wanted to redefine how the world saw this medium. Not as graffiti, but as a classical art form reborn in modern tools. And there are little nods that make me smile—like the hidden shoutout in the Beetlejuice movie where an artist is referred to as “the Picasso of spray paint.” That was a quiet tip of the hat from someone behind the film. It’s those small, unexpected validations that remind me the struggle was worth it.

What I want people to know is this: art isn’t always clean. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it smells like chemicals and sounds like late-night grinding gears. But if it’s rooted in truth and passion, it becomes more than a career—it becomes a legacy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This one’s tough mainly because, even though most people see me as outgoing and outspoken, the truth is I’m a bit of a homebody when the cameras are off. So I’m probably not the guy to tell you where the trendiest clubs or bars are. But if my best friend was visiting and I wanted to show them a truly unforgettable week, I know exactly the kind of experience I’d put together.

First, we’d kick things off with an incredible dinner at Maggiano’s one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The food is out of this world, and it’s the perfect place to settle into good conversation and great company.

Next day, I’d take them to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. There’s something powerful about live theatre whether it’s a classic play or a modern musical, it’s always an inspiring experience.

By day three, I’d want to shift the energy and show them just how thrilling Colorado can be. So we’d go white water rafting fast water, stunning landscapes, and that adrenaline rush you never forget. That’s when Colorado shows off.

Of course, depending on the season, I’d make sure we caught a game Nuggets, Broncos, Rockies, or Avalanche there’s nothing like being in the crowd when your team’s lighting it up.

Toward the end of the trip, I’d slow it down and tap into the more reflective side of Colorado. We’d spend time at the Denver Art Museum always inspiring and stroll through the Botanical Gardens to unwind, talk about life, and just take it all in.

For me, it’s not about what’s most popular it’s about experiences that move you. Good food, live art, a rush of adventure, and time to reconnect with nature. That’s the kind of week I’d want to give someone I care about.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. No artist walks this path alone, and I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible people and moments shape my journey.

First and foremost, I want to give credit to my family. Their support especially in the early days when spray painting wasn’t seen as “real art” meant everything. They didn’t always understand what I was doing, but they believed in me, and that was enough to keep me going through the rough patches.

I also have deep gratitude for the mentors and fellow artists I met during the early expos when I was just 18. Being one of six artists representing New Mexico nationally gave me a sense of responsibility and pride that fueled my dedication. Those experiences taught me how important it is to not just create, but to represent your roots and culture with honor.

My deepest thanks go to my wife Gloria and my son Jarred. Living with a dreamer and a creative can be colorful, sure but it also comes with pressure, unpredictability, and moments of doubt. Their support, love, and patience gave me the stability to keep chasing this vision, even when the road got uncertain. They’ve been my quiet strength behind the scenes.

I also want to give a special shoutout to a former student and friend, the late Val Kilmer. His continued support for the art of spray paint and the many conversations we had about technique, composition, and vision meant a great deal to me. He brought a unique perspective, deep curiosity, and a genuine love for artistic exploration that left a lasting impression.

Of course, KNME-PBS deserves a massive thank you for taking a chance on Spraycasso. That opportunity changed the course of my career. It allowed me to bring spray painting into people’s homes in a way that was educational, inspiring, and, most importantly, respectable. It helped validate a whole art form.

And finally, this might sound a bit unconventional, but I have to give credit to the limitations. The lack of proper spray paints, tools, and canvases pushed me to invent my own. Without that struggle, the innovations that became the foundation of my business and style might never have happened.

This journey has been fueled by love, doubt, encouragement, resistance, and faith all of it. So this shoutout is for every hand that pushed me forward, even when it didn’t realize it was doing so.

Website: https://www.spraycasso.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spraycasso/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/spraycasso

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spraycasso

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spraycasso