What are your favourite spots to paint?
I enjoy painting spots where I can paint with out consent, and where
the environment is as obscure as the painting itself. Spots that no
other person in their average life would ever go, but are a direct
reflection of their context in time. Storm drains, tunnels, river
bridges, abandoned houses and reservoirs have been my favourite over the
last year or so. In South Africa, these type of spots have a tendency
to act as refuge for those who live and grow up on the streets and know
no other life. Living on the street means you are continuously in public
space, and therefore you have no 'personal space' if you will. These
spaces are often occupied by these people as a result, who have no
regard for it other than the purpose it serves. These spaces the act as
a window into the lives of the people who once occupied it as there is
always reminisce of it's tenants, past and present. Since I like to
freestyle the majority of my personal I often use the environment as
inspiration for my pieces. I feel this is imperative with graffiti as
you cannot remove a piece from the environment in which you paint it, so
it is only right that the piece does the environment as much justice as
the environment does the piece. This is the fundamental thought for
good spots. Also, I do not like to bothered when I'm missioning to paint
by myself so that will also influence my preference for these spots.
Do you have any art education?
I was fortunate enough to have a good schooling where the art
curriculum was engaging and concise. Once I left school I studied
Information design at the University of Pretoria for two years, after
which I dropped out to just paint full time which I have now been doing
for the last year.
How are you looking to develop your art?
By developing myself as a person. You cannot separate any creation from
the hand which created it, and therefore we can assume that any true
artists work is some how a direct reflect to the artist and his
world-view. With this understanding, it is clear that the only way to
truly develop your art (beyond the technical aspects of the craft) is
develop and grow as a person. This can only be achieved through
conscious living, and engaging in all spectrums of life with as an
objective view as possible, as the circumstances we get into provide the
answers that we learn life from. A great artist can only truly be great
if he/she is a great person.
Do you prefer letters or characters?
I do prefer characters due to my strong fine arts background and
influences, however the last year I have been playing with letter
structures (though I still struggle quite a bit and therefore tend to
shy away from it when I freestyle). Also I am a much better illustrator
than what I am as a designer so I have a natural tendency for the
characters.
Jestr in Notre Dame
A blank canvas
Marking out
Colour is added
Up close
Heads ain't ready!
Almost done
Mission complete
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