When Los Angeles-based graffiti artist RETNA's work first appeared in the mid-nineties, what made it stand apart from the rest was its unique layering. His color palette was so intricate, so carefully chosen, his pieces often looked to have been daubed on with a paint-brush. Quite the achievement when you consider he was painting on walls, trains, bridges, and freeway overpasses in the black of night.Frequently inspired by images of females found in magazines and corporate advertisements, RETNA is especially known for embellishing existing fashion advertisements overlaying a classic style that recalls Mayan and Egyptian hieroglyphs, and even Byzantine religious mosaics.

Since first making his name in 1997, RETNA has found himself in popular demand, especially in the music world. R&B artist Usher is a big fan (RETNA-fied paintings of Marvin Gaye, Sade and Miles Davis hang in his home). RETNA's art has also appeared in pop videos for Kylie Minogue and Will Smith, and he appeared alongside Metallica at the American Music Awards, creating one of his signature pieces live on stage. "Looking at pop culture and adapting it to a more classical style is what I am known for as an artist," he says. "It's something I learned to do on the street and I'm proud to now incorporate in my paintings."