Damian Gonzales
American, b. 1974
Damian Gonzales is an award-winning Creative Director with an extensive background in developing concepts and consumer products for diverse, high-profile global brands.
Since 1999, he has created products for Disney, Marvel, Nickelodeon, NBA, MLB, NFL, Design Group of Americas, EK Brands, Gemini Sound Products, Domestics Clothing, among others. His experience also includes special private-label programs for European and Asian companies. Currently he is the Creative Director for magnets.com
Formally trained as a fine artist, Gonzales pushes the boundaries of tradition while remaining deeply rooted in his artistic foundations. With over two decades of experience, his practice continues to evolve across a wide range of mediums, including oil painting, watercolor, acrylic, spray paint, screen printing, and mixed media.
His most recent body of work explores Washi tape—traditional Japanese rice paper tape reimagined as a contemporary fine art medium. Using pigmented tape in place of paint, Gonzales creates richly textured, abstract, highly realistic compositions that reveal the meticulous, hands-on process behind each piece.
Featured on his Instagram are Washi tape portraits of cultural icons such as Tupac Shakur, Kanye West, The Notorious B.I.G., Big Pun,, and religious figures as well as detailed studies of Nike Air Max sneakers and more. The work often blurs the line between paint and tape—though no paint is used. Each piece is painstakingly hand-ripped using only his fingernails, never scissors.
Damian Gonzales lives and works in the picturesque Pocono Mountains with his wife and two children. 
His work is currently being displayed at Deep Space Gallery in Jersey City, NJ
https://www.deepspacejc.com/