The Armadilla is nomadic, with no land to call home—just a truck, motorcycle, a boat, and wheels on a wooden tiny home. If it doesn’t float or roll, then it’s something he won’t own. It’s no sleep to roll with Dilla for set stone is where moss is grown.
His mother, a painter, and father, an engineer, the Dilla’s destiny for art and design always was clear. Their family roamed since the day he was born—a tradition he himself carried on. From west Texas sunsets to Mississippi Delta songs, the oldest capital city ‘the land of the chile’, he jumped Circle to Crescent City, the red stick to bayou city. Now it’s life behind the pine curtain that the third coast roamer has prevailed. The serenity to create is great behind our pine veil. If you ask, “Life is good” is the story he tells.
Now the Dilla’s start in the visual art was probably as soon as he touched a crayon pencil or pen. But ,for him, it was the dusty boot Rodeo Circuit, Houston to Kerrville when he went 2D to Three. Even a piece to pop up in the Spain US Embassy. So he figured maybe I should get a degree. Texas Tech Architecture to Houston Christian University, he finally snagged a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. All laughed as he ran from art to learn the world and master crafts and trades, but you can’t make music if you have nothing to say.
Armadilla
noun
/är·mə·dil·lə/
1. A nomadic artist, craftsman, or creator—one who embraces movement and versatility in life and work, never confined by traditional boundaries or fixed locations. Often associated with the fusion of analog and digital worlds, the Armadilla is a free spirit who adapts to ever-changing landscapes, creating without permanence.
2. A hybrid being or entity—blending the ruggedness of the armadillo with the ingenuity of human craftsmanship, embodying a relentless pursuit of creative expression and exploration.
3. A mystic or mythical creature—shrouded in legend, the Armadilla exists as an enigmatic figure, part myth, part reality, whose very presence evokes a sense of wonder and intrigue. Said to be found only by those who seek, it navigates the world in its own unique rhythm, elusive yet profoundly impactful.
Origin: Derived from the animal "armadillo" (Spanish for "little armored one"), symbolizing protection and adaptability, and "Dilla," a reference to the artist’s moniker.
Synonyms: Two Step, Tye Dye, Chief, Texas Tea, The Dilla, Tilly, Dillie, and only to those closest he is just ‘T’
He built covered wagons for the Rodeo, distilled whiskey for the fine folks and tourist of Santa Fe. With only hand tools and one extra man, he replaced spikes and ties on the one way rails from Eldorado to Santa Fe then upgraded to drive the train outside city limits of New Orleans. Then the water called his name and like his father, he hit the docks to load and ship the Mississippi barges through sweltering sun, heavy rain, and even slept on the white capping Mighty Mississippi muddy waters through a Cat3 hurricane.
It was after that storm I met him, on his way north to build outdoor limestone patios/kitchens and sculpt stone. Next He poured Crete in the Nap Town winter cold and summer heat. Ha, This was all just to try his hand as a union man. A smoking pit (on wheels) kept the Armadilla spirit alive and made him a dime on his weekend time, as he cooked true Texas BBQ where his friends sold local brew.
The Dilla said, "Enough is enough," dug his claws in deep , exhaled this thought, “it is now time, back to art.”
That’s when he showed up here with a truck, a box trailer in tow, out-of-state plates, and a black lab navigating mate.
Ladies and gentlemen and creators of all things, WE have captured the mythical Armadilla they say is hard to find.
Together and with your help as well, we will perfect and push the limits of our products that bring excitement, fresh-faced feelings and make smiles swell as if it was your first show and tell.
Don’t be shy to challenge the Dilla for that’s the environment wherein his creative kind lies and thrives. Throw him a bone, something custom for your style to abide or customized ideas and designs to boldly captivate the space where it will reside.
So Buckle up for this wild hay ride or “Laissez les bon temps roule” as the Dilla would say , because Sunbelt and the Armadilla bring you the perfect surfaces and pop off the wall panels ready for you to create and your art to come alive.
