When Gustavo Arellano, known professionally as TAVi, relocated his art gallery to Second Street in Belmont Shore last September, the move wasn't just about changing addresses. After five years in Huntington Beach, TAVi was searching for more than a retail location — he needed a community that aligned with his artistic mission. "It feels like it's been here forever," TAVi says of his new space. "I found my tribe."
"It feels like it's been here forever," TAVi says of his new space. "I found my tribe."
Step inside TAVi's gallery and be immediately immersed in what he calls "TAViLAND" — where every surface is drenched with color. Vibrant canvases cover the walls from floor to ceiling, clothing racks overflow with colorful apparel, and display tables and cases hold an array of smaller art pieces and merchandise. It's not just a gallery — it's an experience, like stepping inside a giant Crayola box.
"Color is Freedom" isn't just TAVi's tagline — it's his life philosophy. Growing up in Edinburg, Texas, near the Mexican border, TAVi overcame a childhood marked by poverty, abuse and low expectations. When his mother told him in fourth grade that "people like us don't amount to anything," it became his fuel rather than his fate.
His journey took him from Texas to Dallas, Chicago, Miami and Scottsdale before landing in California. Along the way, he managed high-end restaurants and learned the business side of retail — skills that now serve him well in running his own space.
TAVi's distinctive style — featuring bold acrylics, innovative puffy paints and ultra-high-gloss epoxy finishes — has earned him comparisons to legends like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Picasso. The "Modern Picasso" moniker emerged organically during Laguna Beach art walks, where admirers declared he'd be a successor if the master were alive today.
"It's an honor and a privilege to be compared to legendary artists," TAVi reflects. "But we all have our own style and signature."
His collections span from superheroes and celebrities to abstract pieces and glow-in-the-dark works inspired by a near-fatal COVID-19 battle in 2020. That 13-day hospitalization transformed both his life and art, introducing spiritual elements — butterflies and ladybugs floating from ceiling to canvas — that continue to define his recent work.
Beyond creating art, TAVi is passionate about providing a safe haven where children can explore creativity without judgment. Through his nonprofit, The TAVi Arts Collective, he provides free monthly workshops for Huntington Beach students and hopes to expand into Long Beach schools.
"I'm a kid from the projects," he explains simply. "I want to help kids like that and not make them feel bad because somebody's helping them out."
Every morning, TAVi wakes with gratitude, follows his AA program and meditates before opening his gallery. His spirituality guides not just his recovery, but his generosity — surprising children with free art pieces and ensuring that proceeds from adult paint nights fund youth programs.
Long Beach has embraced this colorful newcomer with open arms, and TAVi is here to stay. His goal? Own a building, expand his nonprofit and continue making a difference one vibrant canvas — and one grateful child — at a time.
"It feels like it's been here forever. I found my tribe."