In 1997, the founder of Slap-On Decals a passionate surfer and designer Mark Buck. He came up with the idea for decals that could be applied to surfboards, car windows, shower doors, skis, skateboards, snowboards...anything with a smooth surface that would look better with a gorgeous image of a sexy woman applied to it.  Cartagena was commissioned for a series of pinups for the first release of decals. 
Advertising went in every magazine from Abercrombie & Fitch to Penthouse, Playboy, Surfer and endless other publications.  Cartagena was an instant success; fans of his work bought all his decals. He received many letters from around the globe praising him for his work. After reaching international success, Slap-on decals became a huge success and Carlos achieved international recognition. 

Cartagena's pinups are now commissioned and licensed worldwide. This website attracts thousands of visitors; some to just look, others to do business. 

Today, Carlos long list of clients includes the internationally acclaimed Hooters Magazine, where you can see his latest pin-up designs.

Thanks for visiting.  Cartagena would love to hear from you.  pinupworld@hotmail.com

 

Carlos Cartagena was born on April 29th of 1960 in

Guatemala City, Central America.  From a young age, his teachers noticed that Carlos had a natural ability to draw well. He migrated to the Unites States In 1981.

His first ten years in the US, he worked in a variety of jobs. In 1988 he was determined to learn illustration skills with an airbrush. Investing all his money in airbrush equipment he began to teach himself airbrush techniques. He made lots of mistakes in the process as he moved forward toward his big dream.

In 1990 he landed his first job as an illustrator for Southern California luminous sign company.  It was good practice and he perfected many skills there.  But soon it was time to advance...he would divide his time between freelance work; painting requests on leather jackets and custom Harley-Davidson bikes.  Although by this time his work was gaining national recognition for his murals on the backs of leather jackets, he was now reaching a wealthier U.S. audience through his artwork on the tanks and fenders of Harley Davidson motorcycles.  And his work was beginning to reflect "his" sexy pin –up style and sometimes erotic but always in good taste.  In 95 and 96 he won 1st places at Sturgis and Laughlin for his mural created on a custom Harley-Davidson and consequently the covers of Easyriders and Hot bike magazines.