This is the Fairfax Wall in Los Angeles. First off, this is a high profile spot. Secondly, this is a high profile spot. There is a coalition of really cool stores right in the immediate area, RVCA, Hundreds, Supreme, Will Rize studios, Known Gallery, traffic, etc, along with Fairfax High. And of course Canters Meat Pile, which is one of my personal favorites. There are a lot of eyes on this wall constantly. Its on the edge of the border to “no mans land” or east of Beverly Hills, basically not to many large murals get painted on that side of town. Os Gemeos popped into to LA just in the right time. It was cool to see these guys. I think the last time I saw them was in 2000-something in a little German town on the last train stop outside of Frankfurt, Freidrichstaufin? I have been following their career since I can remember. These guys are remarkable artists. Its cool to watch the two of them paint. Its like watching two worker bee’s telepathically communicating about each line. They paint fast. These brothers are an unstoppable force and not to jump their jock too hard, they are some of my favorite artists too. So fuck you.

We had some interesting visitors, Mr. Eric Haze, one of my OG favorites Ron Chatman, and his friend (This kid won the Huntington Street contest, whats his name?), and a guy named Jeff, not to mention some old friends.

Stepping up to the wall I was feeling a little nervous and rusty, especially free-styling with an all-star lineup. To begin with it was too Fucking Hot. Retna rented an all-terrain scissor lift. That was pretty cool. So you basically see the plan for the wall, Retna blasts the whole building and we pile on top. Of course just piling on top of Retna’s brush work takes some consideration. Rime went ape shit on his characters. I have no idea how he came up with his totem pole madness, not to mention color combination and patterns. Revok slipped in some of his gems. I think his piece worked the best on the wall because his newer faded style intertwines with the background more. He always uses really slick color combos, and of course paints faster than anybody. Mr. Norman piece is clean as fuck…

Rime’s Site

Revok’s Site

Retna’s Site

Norm’s Site

Os Gemeos’s Site

Known Gallery

Ron Chatman

Here are photos of a recent wall I painted with three of the best, Revok, Askew, and Rime in Highland Park. I had to stay on my toes, free-styling next to these guys. I was felling a little rusty. We all decided to switch names for fun. I used Rime’s letters which are fun to paint, kind of chunky and angular. He rocked my name and completely twisted the letters in a way I never thought, fat and round. Askew rocked a Revok piece and vice versa. Of course Revok finishes like in half the time with all sorts of slick little tricks. Askew breaks his piece down with fat cap wisps and plays with a little over spray. Its always a learning experience to watch the best……..Hopefully I will get off my ass and paint some more burners………

There was an awesome old timer there that lived around the wall. He told us about some of his misadventures.  Check out Rime’s site to see him tell some of his classic tales.

Rime’s Website …Look around his site for the video of Old Man Johnson in front of the wall.

Revok’s Website …Ditto

Askew’s Website …Once again, ditto

It was a great opening, with a large eclectic group of artists. Definitely some heavy hitters.

Saber- “Mini Birdwatching”

First of all, it was an honor to paint with Vulcan. He is one of my all-time favorite writers from NY. Secondly, Montana 94’s are the shit. Straight up, no bullshit, I am happy to use any paint available including mud if it be so. Coming from the days of watery Krylon, chunky solid Rusto, and moldy house paint, its a privilege to be able to use paint that has been developed specifically for writers and artists.

But….. If only there was a manufacturer in the United States? cheaper.??? I had to buy some paint recently at some bourgy art store and three cans cost over 30 fucking dollars. That means an average piece would be over $200! I never let my lack of funds or access to European paint keep me from producing more pieces. Hopefully these competing European spray paint companies could open their eyes to the profitable leviathan sleeping on the Western Hemisphere. It’s unfortunate that the American brands of spray paint won’t acknowledge that the graffiti art culture could be a huge market for them. We are the ones burning through cans, not DIY hipsters and little old crafting ladies.

Buy the way, painting at paid event is not a crime!!!!

Please find something else to do ….

revok1.com

Check out the Known Gallery Blog for a video of the event

Only One Place To Find It! Check It Out!

SABER- One of the last pieces I did in 08, downtown LA

RIME

AROE

REVOK

RISKY

Jersey Joe and myself were invited to come speak to a group of students at Art Center College in Pasadena.

I was very excited about the prospect because even though I didn’t go to school there, Art Center has played a role in my early life.

My mother graduated there in 68 and later taught a few classes and became the first female president of the alumni. In other words I spent a lot of time running around the school grounds as a kid and got my first introduction to design there. To be asked to speak there years later, and especially about my part in graffiti and my paintings, was an honor.

Basically Joe and I each created a slide show of some of our work, and took turns going through images and talking about out experiences as artists.

After both Joe and I spoke, we took questions. Most of them seemed to be centered on the business side of what we do, how we deal with corporations etc. The bottom line is this, the more education you have about business, finance, contracts, taxes, the better off you’ll be. People like to take advantage of creative people. Your only defense is information, education, and confidence. Don’t be afraid of being smart. Its time for our generation to wake up to its potential.

As far as Art Center goes, it’s always a pleasure to walk through the halls and see what the students are up to. And it would be awesome to collaborate with the school again in the future.

Saber. spray paint, acrylic, oil stick, charcoal, 22kt gold leaf on canvass

I just went to the clothing trade show Magic, held in Las Vegas.

It was the typical magic experience, everyone competing to be noticed. Definitely no shortage of characters walking around, fake tits and bad tattoos.

The Seventh Letter “Royal Art Show” was strategically placed by the entrance, so anyone who walked into the convention passed by our display. This was the first year Magic has ever hosted any type of art exhibition.

Over the years I’ve seen graffiti art influence and be taken advantage of by the street wear industry. This exhibition was a great way for us to show people where its source is.

The “Royal Art Show” consisted of two beautiful hand-crafted motorcycle and canvass by Rime, Push, Revok, Retna, Zes, Ewok, Reyes, and myself.

Eklips’s custom bike

Ewok

Push

Retna

Reyes

Rime

Zes

Revok

Saber Piece At Mr. Brainwash Show

Revok Piece At Mr. Brainwash Show

Retna At Mr. Brainwash Show

Jersey Joe At Mr. Brainwash Show

In the wake of Banksky comes Mr. Brainwash, throwing a show at the old CBS building. The same studio they filmed “I Love Lucy”.

For obvious reasons Retna, Revok, Jersey Joe, and myself were asked to paint the wall and stairs, and add a little texture.

The show created a lot of noise, and the opening seemed a success. I’ve heard some conflicting reports. This is the type of show you see and judge for yourself.

Terry is out of his fucking mind, so it makes for an entertaining experience either way.

A Little AWR Texture