"Baldessari says though he felt isolated living and making art in National City, it was liberating.

"Because no one was looking my shoulder," he said. "I never would have done those text things anywhere else. Who cares but me? I can do anything I want!"

Baldessari says it took him a long time to call himself an artist. Once he thought of it as an occupation, like a plumber or a carpenter, it was easier to accept. What’s even harder for him to accept is how famous he’s become.

"I still read about myself and say, who is this person?" he said. "You can take the boy out of National City, but you can’t take National City out of the boy.""

"A photo collection of some of the best, funniest, strangest t-shirts at Comic-Con International."