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Young Dallas artist Ricardo Paniagua has recently pioneered a style of "painted sculpture" involving "spiritually technological" geometric patterns that, like Mozart's Salzburg Flute Symphonies, are played out on wood. You probably didn't need to know that, but if you're looking for a hypnotic piece for your mantle, you should know this:

Where did Paniagua receive his education? Technically he didn't, as he dropped out of high school and taught himself, making him the Richard Branson/Dave Thomas/Emma Stone of math art.

Was he influenced by M.C. Escher? Funny you should ask -- hilarious even. In fact he'd never heard of Escher until a friend brought up the comparison, at which point his response was "Who the…?" But now he really likes M.C. Escher, and Buckminster Fuller, though he maintains that his designs still derive from his own inspirations, and his mind's kindred relationship with engineers and architects.

Who are some of his other influences? Natural phenomena, geo-designs in various cultures' art, mathematics in general, higher forces who give him "assignments" in his dreams, and a form of music called "Exotic Electronica", which apparently doesn't involve naked women demanding a $20 every time they sample an old Steve Winwood song.

How does he make his sculptures? He takes Douglas fir and fills, primes, and sands it until it's as smooth as acrylic plex -- a process that, like that Mitch Albom book you claimed you finished in one night, can take up to two weeks.

What did he do before the art thing? "I mostly snatched old ladies' purses and invested in illegal drugs with those monetary funds. HAHAHA Just kidding!" He does come from four generations of tile setters though, so there was a bit of that.

Who are the main patrons of his work? "Mostly republican types on American soil and Monarchs abroad." You are clearly the latter, so, you know, get some of that art.

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Get a load of all his work right here, and contact him through Facebook for purchasing inquires