Gerardo Rodríguez

Monster Artist

Gerardo Rodríguez was born and raised in Puerto Rico and came to the States for college to study film and graphic design. Prior to monster art he worked in photography and video editing, helping his team earn two Emmy awards for a tv show and a documentary. It wasn't until he arrived in Austin that Gerardo began drawing monsters and painting more seriously, committing to his art full time… and the #MonstersinAustin movement began! Known for bold colors, clean lines, and trippy landscapes, Gerardo’s art ranges from big, friendly faces to weird and intriguing shapes and characters. His usual mediums include acrylic paint and paint markers on canvas, wood panels, or found objects from thrift stores, but he has also enjoyed monsterizing walls, photos, and beer can labels. He finds inspiration in nature, his graphic design background, childhood drawings, the storytelling of film, road trip adventures with his partner Carly, and from his late dog Titus. Gerardo Marvel and Star Wars, a good local brew (coffee or beer!), dogs, desert landscapes, and Christmastime. His studio, Local Monsters, opened in January 2023 on Austin’s artsy east side.

Instagram: @grzmonsters

Carly Badke

Monster Manager & Creative Director

After a 10+ year career in higher education, Carly now manages GRZ Monsters buiness operations and provides administrative and creative support to Gerardo. She is a native Floridian and spent several years in Philadelphia before arriving in Austin in 2015. Outside the art studio, she teaches yoga and helps care for the rabbits at the Austin Animal Center. She loves antique furniture, (vegan) ice cream, Halloween, road trips through west Texas, and saying hi to every dog she passes. She and Gerardo live in far south Austin with her pup Bodhi and 40+ house plants.

Instagram: @vivalacarly

Bodhi

Security Officer & Professional Cuddler

Bodhi adopted Carly shortly after she got to Austin, and they have been inseparable ever since! Though he’s technically in his senior years, he is still as fierce and fiesty as he is cuddly and spoiled. “Bo Bo” loves hiking, his pink piggy toy, barking at grackles, green smoothies, and making cute grumpy faces.

Instagram: #bodhiatx

Titus

Best Friend & Inspirational Spirit

Titus the Weimaraner was a big dog— both physically and in heart. He travelled the states and Puerto Rico with Gerardo and helped him through the best and the most difficult times. Titus was Gerardo’s biggest inspiration to keep painting and doing what he loves. Although Titus passed away in December 2018, he lives on through Gerardo’s “Doggie Adventure” series, including a colorful billboard you might see while driving around Austin!