It is a very unique way of working. He picked up on the technique in a color theory class in art school. “Once the image is drawn on canvas, I use masking tape to mask off the areas I want to paint. Then I cut the masking tape with an x-acto blade and remove some of the tape. I then lay down matte medium so the paint does not bleed underneath the tape. In the beginning, I thought this method would be easy and help get rid of all the detail work. But I was wrong and spend most of my time in the details of my paintings – getting the lines smoother and more refined as I go.”

Although he also works as a freelance designer for Tokyopop, a notable comic book company that imports Japanese manga and as a web designer for an interactive agency called Nextleft, he sees a clear distinction between his art and commercial work. “I think seeing my work on canvas on a wall makes a big difference. I feel my work gives the room a lot – as color and composition immediately draw the eye in the direction of my work.”

Like any other artist, he would love to be painting full time. It is his dream to just sit in his studio and express himself all day every day. “Right now, when I get off work in the evening I go straight to my studio, putting anywhere from 4-7 hours of painting in the evening. I often have this daydream of the future where I am sitting in my studio drinking a pina colada and painting while a harem of naked ladies lounge about. But in the end, I really don’t care about the pina colada or the naked ladies – all I want is to relax and be creative” he explains with a laugh.

Being in Los Angeles and having a presence on the hip artist circuit, Yoffi has sold already over half the pieces. Not a bad start by any means. “I have sold work to tv- and movie producers, to CEOs, to actors, to young couples in the valley. I would say most of the people that purchase my work are young professionals looking to hang something modern, clean and hip on there walls.”

Being influenced by clean design, ultra-modern interior design and architecture, mid-century modern furniture and swanky Hollywood lounges and clubs, it looks like Yoffy has found the perfect place to produce his art and the perfect environment to have his work displayed. And this being Hollywood you never know if the dream of the harem and pina coladas doesn’t come true after all.