A lot of people knew Danny Meza as an incredible muralist, illustrator, and tattoo artist. He was a super cool dude, but I knew him as a geek like me. In our ongoing conversations since childhood, we talked about aspirations and insecurities, art and culture, love and pain, and the meaning of life.
Emilio “Danny” Meza was born on July 30, 1990, at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. Of proud Sinaloan heritage, Danny grew up with his sister in government housing on the Westside, raised by their mother, a strong, entrepreneurial, creative seamstress, Mariluz Meza.
Danny attended Harding Elementary, walking to school each day with his little sister, Bella, and their neighborhood friends. His teachers quickly recognized his artistic gifts and encouraged his creativity. His artwork was sought out by classmates, who would ask him to draw for them, from skateboard graphics like those of World Industries to anime-style illustrations such as Dragon Ball. His first art commission was sold to Pee-Wee. One of his earliest public works, a tile piece of a Pikachu painted in 2000, remains proudly on the bridge at campus.
Danny’s potential began to flourish when he received a scholarship to attend an after-school art program at the Ridley-Tree Education Center through the help of his teacher Ken Lyons. His foundation as an artist was being created.
Credit: Courtesy
At La Cumbre Junior High, Danny continued to develop his skills and confidence, exploring different forms of expression and starting to dream about a creative future, and of course, spending plenty of time playing video games and going on goonie-adventures with friends.
Danny’s artistic world expanded at San Marcos High School. He was introduced to the training of formal art and a variety of creative tools, including printmaking, Adobe software, and other mixed media. Under the guidance of his art teacher, Mr. Irwin, Danny began to refine his craft and style, and he earned several recognitions and awards.
Danny became known for his talent, his warmth, and his quiet leadership. Every teacher and community mentor saw the potential that would later blossom into a full creative life.
After graduating from high school in 2008, Danny attended the Art Institute in Los Angeles, studying graphic design. However, he and his crew decided to drop out after a couple of years, not from failure, but due to conviction and a strategic use of their resources. As his sister Bella explained, “Danny didn’t want to create art for corporations or do commercial stuff. He wanted to make real, expressive art, the kind that came from the heart. That he personally found cool.”
Around 2010, Danny got his first tattoo after working a late-night shift at OfficeMax. It was a moment of personal rebellion and courage because he knew his mother would kill him, figuratively speaking. “But I survived — HA!” said Danny. It was a creative decision that reflected his growing identity as both an artist and in his career.
His first solo art show, which he titled Art School Drop Out, was in Goleta in 2010, and it was featured on local Spanish TV news. He later received a certificate of recognition at Café A in Oxnard in 2011.
After a stint in Los Angeles, he returned to S.B. and landed on the front cover of the Independent for a story about the city’s murals, a defining milestone that affirmed his place as a leader in our city’s cultural movement. When it came to representation, we were all incredibly proud to see him.
Danny became involved with Youth Arts Alliance, painting murals all around town and mentoring younger artists such as Vero Sanchez and many others. He understood the importance of uplifting his community and those who uplifted him. He worked with the legend Manuel Unzueta, and he appreciated Ricardo Venegas, director of Arts Alliance, who looked out for him as a son.
Danny’s murals can be found from the Westside to the Eastside. His distinct style was vibrant and “pop,” like a comic book. Some of his most notable works can be found at Bohnett Park, Westside Community Center, between Ladera and Rancheria streets by McKinley Elementary, S.B. Junior High near the Marjorie Luke Theater hallway, the Funk Zone back in the day, Eastside Library, Ortega Park, and Brownie’s Market. Each one tells a story of belonging, pride, and love of humanity from a Santa Barbara perspective.
In 2017, Danny was ready to move out of his mom’s house once again, and he got an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up.
“I needed a housemate at the art studio [by the Arlington Theatre], but with an artist-peer who had the caliber and drive to be great. Over time, I’m proud to say he came to be a real friend, someone whom I trusted with my art, as well as my life,” said Derek Harrison.
Danny shared that this upgrade felt like the song “Juicy” by The Notorious BIG, especially during the holidays, when the giant Christmas tree out front made him think of his childhood.
Danny soon became sought-after for his tattoos. He originally started tattooing in his room but worked in more than a half-dozen studios in town, Slanging Ink and 805 Ink among them. He also guest-spotted at numerous tattoo shops (and conventions!) around the country and the globe.
In 2021, Danny moved to San Diego to embark on a new life chapter, from a town to a metropolis, trading one coastal community for another. Despite him having bittersweet feelings about his hometown, he always loved visiting his family, walking State Street, and reconnecting with friends. He finally decided he wanted to move to L.A. so he could be closer to his sister and mother.
Danny loved Blink-182, death metal, Wu-Tang Clan, NWA, MF Doom, Chalino Sánchez, and so many others in all music genres. He loved riding his bicycle, and he loved octopuses. He traveled all over the world, to Italy, Spain, Germany, Prague, Poland, Amsterdam, Thailand, Switzerland, France, China, and South Africa. He was a sensitive, romantic soul with an infectious laugh.
Danny’s story is one of “Sí, Se Puede” resilience, authentic creativity, and love for his community. He lives on through his murals and street art pieces, thousands of tattoos, his students, and through our community, which continues to speak his name.
He wasn’t just a talented artist; he was a symbol of what it means to grow up in Santa Barbara, to create something beautiful from nothing, and to have a heart to give back.
Danny leaves behind his sister, mother, and stepfather, Victor; his biological father, proud inventor of the “Diablo Pizza” at Rusty’s; his little siblings, Junior and Lupita; and his beloved best friends, who were his chosen family. His heart stopped beating on April 14, 2025.
May his legacy be synonymous with Santa Barbara and art.
May his legacy continue to inspire our comunidad and everyone who visits.
May his legacy never fade, for our love will keep his spirit alive.
Danny Meza — ¡Presente! ¡Presente! ¡Presente!
Credit: Michael Montenegro
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