| FranCisco Vargas,
renowned sign artist was born in Yakima, Washington but grew up in tough
cities like LA, San Jose, and Fresno CA, FranCisco moved around frequently with his
parents. Always the opportunist, he started out as a shoe-shine boy at 11 years old,
honing his entrepreneurial skills. During this time the other kids that were shining shoes
would meet at a corner and pull out their spinning tops. FranCisco competed with these
kids to see who could spin their top inside of an old can. Even to this day, if
challenged, he could pull out a top and spin it, if he missed the can he could pick up the
spinning top in his hand. From the hot fields in Fresno,
CA, picking grapes and chopping cotton to a small sign shop where he got his first start
at professional sign painting, FranCisco now had a clear view of his future in the arts.
After studying at the Trade Tech in Los Angeles, and working in various sign shops,
‘Cisco (as his friends call him) built his first
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Once
again, Cisco’s tenacity paid off; while on a business trip to Warner Bros. Studios,
he had the opportunity to meet Heather Locklear while she was filming T.J. Hooker. From a
chance meeting and a few photos, FranCisco created the beautiful portrait of Ms. Locklear
(see Newsclips) FranCisco’s career was in full
swing now. After returning to Fresno to raise his two daughters alone, his fame preceded
him, he was asked to teach 20 troubled youths the art of painting murals. Soon after that,
the opportunities flooded in, one favorite in particular, was the big Autorama show,
Blackie Gejeian, held every year.
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Francisco with Bill Strobel, 1st interview (S.J. Mercury) 3-15-85 From his meager beginnings in an old shack to the renowned sign painter and muralist he is today, Francisco Vargas has made his mark in the arts.
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