Daniel Reyna: Merging Art and Trucks in Street Trucks’ Artist Series

THE AUTOMOTIVE ARTISTRY SERIES #3

INTRODUCING STREET TRUCKS’ NEW ARTIST SERIES

At Street Trucks magazine, we have always found that it’s not just the cars that make the publication what it is. It’s the fans, it’s the readers, it’s the enthusiasts, it’s the owners, it’s the builders—and the passion they have for the truck/automotive world. That passion creates the family we are now.

Though not on purpose, one branch of our car culture has often been overlooked: the artists. In the past, the rich history of hot rod art spread some of the car culture’s fi rst wild ideas before renderings or even photographs of the latest cutting-edge builds reached other states around the nation. As time went by, builds began to evolve with the times like the art did, but for some people it became easier to look more into physical builds than the inspirations that started it all.

With our new Artist Series, we want to provide fresh inspiration for every type of enthusiast out there today, from the pen and paper artist and the computer and keyboard designer, to the wrench and garage builder. Enjoy—and be inspired.

DANIEL REYNA HAS ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR ART, EVEN FROM AN EARLY AGE.

“I recall doodling on my assignments during school, specifically old school mini-trucks in elementary,” says the 39-year-old from Galena Park, Texas. “Some of my best memories were hanging out with my older brother Milo during my teenage years, drawing and painting car club logos on the back windows of lowriders.”

All that doodling as a slightly distracted student paid off. Daniel currently works as a full-time high school art teacher at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, Texas. His artwork is just a part-time gig/hobby now, but it is easy to see how much it means to him. In our humble opinion, a teacher this talented and passionate about art definitely makes a great mentor who can push his students to yearn for the next level themselves.

Coming from an education focused in fine arts, Daniel has various artists who inspire him. However, as far as the ones in the automotive industry, Chip Foose is the main artist who motivated him to take his renderings to another level.

DANIEL TAKES THE MOST PRIDE IN TEACHING HIS STUDENTS ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES THAT HELP THEM DEVELOP INTO GREAT ARTISTS.

“His vision, along with many others in the custom automotive industry, steer my ideas toward simple and well-executed designs,” Daniel says.

We can definitely see a number of similarities between their work in the best way. Over the years, he has been fortunate enough to work with many prestigious custom automotive shops around the country.

On top of that, he has also designed all the billet wheels for Raceline Wheels. However, Daniel takes the most pride in teaching his students artistic techniques that help them develop into great artists. These techniques lead them to participate in various art competitions resulting in educational scholarships.

“Throughout my 10 years of teaching art, my students have received a combined total of over $1 million in scholarships toward their continued education,” Daniel says.

That is a pretty incredible viewpoint and accomplishment in our books.

Looking toward the future, Daniel recently received his master’s degree from the University of Houston with aspirations of becoming a visual arts director for the Pasadena school district. In addition to that, he plans to continue his part-time gig, pushing the boundaries of everything that entails, and seeing where else that takes him.

Though he says it is tough to choose favorite pieces over so many years of art, renderings of patina trucks are still one of the most enjoyable challenges he pursues to this day.

“Recreating the patina on paper is always unique,” he says.

To see more of Daniel Reyna’s art, or learn more about him follow his Instagram @ dreynadesigns or check him out on Facebook at ReynaBrosDesign.