Soto: I don’t know. I’m not trying to fit into any scene, I’m just trying to create work that I’m proud of. My work gets grouped in with the underground artists- graffiti, illustration, hot rod, skate, comics, etc. and I know many of these people so maybe I am part of the movement. I’ll let someone else decide.
 
Bron: interview Jeff Soto

Jeff Soto was born in 1975. He got interested in the visual arts at a young age – fascinated by Star Wars and Robotech, which are still his major inspirations. He graduated in 2002 with distinction at Art Center College of Design (Pasedana, California). He is currently working as a gallery artist and illustrator. Soto’s works are a fusion of his diverse interests such as plants, cacti, (retro) science fiction and graffiti…

I was born in Tijuana and grew up in a small town 25 minutes away from the San Diego / Tijuana international border…Rosarito Beach!! My family lived a block away from the beach, I surfed, breakdanced, freestyled, bmxed and drew since I was a kid. My father is German American from Nebraska who became a karate champion in Mexico, my mother is from Sinaloa Los Mochis and she owned a Pharmacy. I went to school for graphic design at San Diego city college where I currently teach an illustration class. It would take an hour taxi ride to Tijuana from Rosarito, a bus ride from 3rd ave to the border and a 55 minute trolley to school, did that for 3 and a half years. I finished my education at CCAC in San Francisco and it was easier to move around thanks to the BART.
 
I graduated in 2001 and came down to Tijuana for vacation met a girl named Foi .. fell in love got married, had a beautiful baby girl Luna who also loves to draw! My clients have included Rolling Stones, Nickelodeon Magazine, Complot Magazine (Mexico), Timken Museum, San Diego Trolley, Converse, United Airlines, San Francisco Examiner, Seattle Stranger, Los Angeles Film Festival.
 
I have shown in a lot galleries in a lot of cities as well as different countries and continents, NY, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paris, Madrid, Mexico City, Tijuana, San Diego, Seattle…just finished a huge mural/installation at Museo Carrillo Gil museum of contemporary art in Mexico City and will also show next May 2006 in The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Arty in all Tijuana artist group show called “A strange new world”
 
I have received awards/recognition from How magazine, American Illustration 21, 22, 23. Communication Arts Illustration annual 2002 fresh section. 2005 FONCA (kinda like the NEA) young creators grant.