A local artist whose mixed-media work is influenced by vintage cartoons and imbued with a sense of humor is being featured in "Pop-Aganda," an exhibit at a downtown Toledo gallery.

Arturo Rodriguez, associate professor at the University of Toledo, said that as a young artist he had been exposed to several different mediums and has since combined many of them in his work that will be featured in this exhibit.

After leaving Cuba at age 7 and moving to Miami in 1980, Mr. Rodriguez spent time watching animation and cartoons from the early 1930s.

Viewers can find an influence of these cartoons in the majority of his work. He incorporates his earliest memories of the cartoons by transforming them into images that are strategically placed in parts of what most people would consider a "typical painting," making it more distinct.

Bill Sattler, a partner in the Madhouse Gallery, was not familiar with Mr. Rodriguez's work before meeting him, but after seeing it, Mr. Sattler said it fits the mold of what to expect from exhibitions at Madhouse.

"We are drawn to his aesthetic and multiple methods with litho and screen-printing," Mr. Sattler said. "And all of those things relate to things we like to do."

Mr. Rodriguez got involved with art when he was very young. He said he drew well, and his teachers encouraged him to go to competitive magnet schools for fine and performing arts, where Mr. Rodriguez said he had to be chosen after submitting his portfolio.

He went to Kansas City Art Institute, where he studied painting and received a bachelor of fine arts degree. Later he got a master of arts degree at Indiana University.

He said his work was not always consistent with his recent lighthearted theme, but was actually much darker. It wasn't until he started working as a teacher that he added a touch of humor.

"It ties my work together," Mr. Rodriguez said.

Much of what will be seen at the Pop-Aganda exhibit will include mixed media in his print work, as well a few large paintings, an installation video piece, and sculptural shadow puppets.

The exhibition opened for viewing last week and will continue until June 30 at Madhouse Gallery, 1215 Jackson St., Toledo.

Contact Payton Willey at: paytonwilley@theblade.com or 419-724-6065.

First Published June 15, 2011, 4:30 a.m.