His eyes twinkle behind thick, black-rimmed glasses. Gargoyles tattooed on his left forearm grimace and ripple when he waves his hands animatedly as he talks. A heavy metal key chain hangs from his belt, jingling rhythmically to his movements.

Jason Salerno works at Uncle Eli's by day. At night, however, he metamorphoses into his alternate identity: Jason Salerno, Artist of the People. Double identities figure largely in his work too; Salerno draws classic movie and comic book monsters.

Salerno is originally from Scranton, but has chosen State College to hold his first exhibition. Based entirely on his work depicting classic movie monsters, the exhibit will open for a month at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Daily Grind, 107 E. Beaver Ave.

Executed in a variety of media, such as acrylics, pen and ink, and even Indonesian Batik style, there will be a total of 11 paintings on display.

The artist, a resident of State College for two years, is self-taught.

"I took minor class in high school, but when I knew that it was what I wanted to do, I went out and bought some materials and taught myself," Salerno said.

Although he initially wanted to draw for comic books, he changed direction three years ago, concentrating more on fine art instead.

Some day, he hopes to make it into the movie make-up business.

Sunday's exhibit also serves as a stepping stone to Salerno's plans of launching his own graphics company.

Called "Devil's Ride Out," the company will feature many of the same themes on T-shirts, prints and stickers. Salerno hopes to have his company running by the end of November.

Salerno admits it will be tough, and cites his experience in State College as an example.

He recognizes the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania as a dominant force.

"If you are not painting landscapes and still life, it is very tough to break in (to the alliance)," he said.

He remembers a seminar on methods of selling and exhibiting art that he attended.

"Everyone on the panel talked only about themselves; about how hard it was for them. It kind of disheartened me and made me not want to be in it."

The organization, Salerno feels, makes it tougher for young artists to make their mark.

"Art Alliance members have a better shot at the (Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts), for example, than me. There are a lot of great artists in the area who deserve recognition, but they don't get it."

Salerno deplores the lack of imagination in a majority of the work, saying most themes like still lives and landscapes are "regurgitated" repeatedly.

Connie McGeorge, acting executive director of the Art Alliance, disagrees with Salerno. "The Art Alliance welcomes new young artists. They have access to all our shows, and we offer our studio for use even for non-members. I don't think the (Arts) festival uses membership in the Art Alliance as a selection criteria," she said.

Following his heart, Salerno, along with a friend, has tried to start an informal group of amateur artists to provide a fresh aspect to the local art scene and at the same time create a bank of talent artists can draw on for help.

"We want to start, maybe, figure drawing classes, and then rent a warehouse for a gallery, rather than the Art Alliance one, which is hard to get into."

For Jason Salerno, after fighting the monsters of bureaucratized organizations, it must be a relief to get back to his paper-and-ink ones every night.