Graffiti-inspired muralist at Luna

Erik Hoogen, known for his “Thank you for Shopping at Thriftway” mural done 10 years ago, is Cafe Luna’s featured artist for the month of April.

Hoogen, 32, has had no formal art training, leaving his style untainted and completely unique to who he is, he says. In his mid-20s, Hoogen became a snowboard and skateboard art designer for K2. His work for K2, including the graphics for K2’s Zeppelin snowboard series, enabled him to spread his art all over the world.

Hoogen has painted in several different countries. His work abroad includes creating seven murals in Amsterdam, one of which is across the street from the Van Gogh museum. Hoogen, who recently returned to Vashon, is currently painting a mural of Dubrovnik, Croatia, in the Sportsman’s Inn downtown.

“This show is made up of personal pieces that show the real me,” Hoogen said of his new show at Café Luna. He describes his work as “soulful and sexy to political and conscious” and says it is “heavily graffiti-inspired with a Walt Disney twist.”

Hoogen will be at Café Luna at 6 p.m. Friday, April 4, for a First Friday Gallery Cruise reception.