Abel “OG Abel” Izaguirre, 37, with some of the 2-inch Locsters series figurines he developed that show a graphic and cynical depiction of urban Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Izaguirre, 37, stands at the entrance of an apartment complex on 92nd Street in South Central, where he lived with his parents and siblings in a small one-bedroom apartment. South-Central is in my veins, Izaguirre said, and in that sense, his Locsters are a mere tribute. Even the most intimidating-looking Locsters, he said, are just trying to survive another day, just posing he said, so theyll be left alone. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Izaguirre, right, plays with Hazel while visiting his parents, Esperanza Izaguirre, 65, and Catarino Izaguirre, 70, in South Los Angeles. His mother named him Abel, after the biblical character. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
In 2000, Izaguirre left South L.A. and bought a four-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot house in Chino Hills, where he plays with his four children in their swimming pool. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Izaguirre hugs his mother while visiting her in the Athens area of South Los Angeles. He credits his mother for his appreciation of hard work, which helped him launch a successful business of T-shirts, figurines and shoes. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detail of Locsters figurine “Clever” from a series of characters created by Abel “OG Abel” Izaguirre. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detail of “Player” from a series of characters created by Abel Izaguirre. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detail Locsters figurine “Huero.” (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detail of Locsters figurine “Fast Freddy.” (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detail of Locsters figurine “Rollin Rich.” (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Detail of Locsters figurines “Fallen Soldier” and “Desert Dog.” (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
