An Ohio State alumnus presents his first Ohio showing since graduation.Erik Stafford, a painter, earned his bachelor’s degree of fine arts in 1996. “Erik and I were in college around the same time and I have always enjoyed his work,” said Patti Petrella, owner of the Aardvark! Cafe, where Stafford’s works are currently being displayed.Petrella said that she loves the energy and humor of Stafford’s work and that she would categorize it as pop-art that is very animated.”Erik has an excellent way of bringing exaggerated characters to life,” Petrella said.Stafford said that billboards, advertisements, and comics give him the inspiration that he needs for his paintings.”A large part of my imagery influence comes from constant images,” Stafford said. “I need to have cable TV, music and noise 24 hours a day.”Stafford began artwork around the age of 10 and began painting in the 7th grade. He grew up in Chicago and spent time doing graffiti artwork around the South Side.At OSU he began working with oil paints. His paintings are now a combination of oil paints and spray paints.Pheoris West, his teacher at OSU, and Caravaggio, a 16th century painter, have been the most influential artists in Stafford’s work.He said the length of time it takes him to finish a painting depends on what he is doing it for and that he cannot name the painting until it is completely done.”I am trying to chronicle culture by what I see around me in the same way that any other painter has tried to do the same thing ‹ only it’s the 90’s,” Stafford said.Over the last year, Stafford has displayed his work at the Galaxy Gallery in Los Angeles as well as painted murals for various shops and restaurants around Columbus. Some of his fans include 311, an alternative band, and Bill Maher of “Politically Incorrect.”Stafford’s works can be seen at the Aardvark! Cafe, 2122 N. High St., through Feb. 9.