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graffiti legend Tag

Kindred Journey 43 – Spie

Spie is a OG of the Bay Area Graf scene. A king in my opinion. Born and raised in San Francisco during the early 70s, he is from the second generation of writers is Frisco. He began writing on his own first, then he began joining crews. He’s one of the illest local style technicians of letters and has always tried new things whether painting wild style pieces, throw ups, or even just his handstyles. He is a representative of several well known Bay crews; TMC, TDK, and Irie Posse. He’s also reps FC, a NYC crew. Something that connects him to a long legacy of artists both in and beyond Graf is his use of art to speak truth to power.  Being the child of an organizer/activists instilled him with a DIY spirit and awareness that he always shared with the Graff community. In fact, in his career he is known as much for his unique letter styles as he is for speaking out against police terrorism, racism, imperialism, colonialism, and the system that uses these tools to get more money and power. Something I learned is that he was a mediator between writers who had beef. A peacekeeper. He is a citizen of the world traveling to Jamaica, Cuba, Costa Rica, NYC, even Palestine. He’s a father, husband, activist, credentialed teacher, and a hilarious guy if you get to hang with him. If you have been impacted or inspired by Spie or his work please comment w/ a big up, fire emoji, or a memory so he knows how much we all love him. Thank you big brother.

Sources: One Track Mind magazine, My Life In Letters podcast,  Life, My Mom

More: The first time I met Spie he was already a legend to me. As a kid obsessed with Graffiti I loved taking flics of his pieces both solo and with Mike Dream. His style leaps off the wall, often using two outlines to accentuate movement. My family has a connection to his, as my grandmother knew his parents and worked with them on some labor activism. My mom who knew him since he was a kid proudly introduced me to him at a huge show he did in Oakland around the anniversary of the Hiroshima Nagasaki bombing. I could not believe she knew him and was floored by his humbleness and skill. Since the mid 90s I’ve been fortunate enough to get to watch him work, to hang, to speak to his students, to ask questions, and to be inspired by him. To watch him show solidarity with Palestine, Puerto Ricans, Filipinxs, and Black struggles such as Black August and Black Liberation figures such as Assata Shakur, Malcolm X, and more. I think his choice to put more up on the wall than just his name spoke to me as a kid. I was and am inspired so much by him and consider him a big brother and a mentor. Its great to hear him talk about his experiences coming up in the Graff world. I highly encourage you to listen to his episodes on the My Life in Letters podcast. Much Love dude!

Did you see the last piece of Pardon My Hindi?

Also, here’s a piece I did of Mike Dream.

May 23, 2021
in General, Kindred Journey
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Kindred Journey 40 – Asia

 

As a teen obsessed with graffiti I dragged my parents to go snap pics of pieces and throw ups. Asia is one of the artists I’d see. She inspired me not only to be proud but to be stylish. 20 years later I spoke with her thx to DJ Willie Maze.
Born in Japan in the early 70s, she grew up in San Francisco and started writing in 1991. One of her early influences was a young woman who wrote like NME who gave her the name “Asia”. Later it was King 157, Spie, Giant, and a guy named “Orfn” who was up everywhere in the 90s who inspired her. Crew wise, she was down with VC which included Muet and Duer. She’s still down with TDK (Teach Dem Knowledge) and had a crew of sisters called HMP- “Her Mighty Presence”. 
Asia was most active in the Bay between 91-95 before moving to NYC in the late 90s. Although she bombed out there she told me New York was on a whole other level. When I asked her about some of her proudest moments she quickly mentioned the “Tax Dollars Kill” production TDK did with every damn body in the crew. It was in magazines and it got a lot of attention! She also mentioned a mission her and Muet went on to bomb a tank!! A Tank! 
When asked about advice for young women getting into Graff/art she said “It’s hard to do, but be free of judgement by others. Don’t be concerned about how they see your work. As long as you enjoy it, that’s what matters. Do it for yourself, your soul”.
Although she doesn’t write anymore, she still makes art for herself.  She said she was motivated to piece  by TDK, but she really loved was to hop buses and go bomb! She didn’t document most of her stuff and wasn’t thinking of legacy, but she really loved it and had so much fun doing it. If you’re reading this and remember “Asia” PLEASE share a word or photo for her to see! Respect to OG Asia!
Sources: Interview w/ Asia
The last asrtist I painted is Hung Liu! And check out this drawing of Lady Pink

May 12, 2021
in General, Kindred Journey
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Black is Beautiful 2021 – Phase2

 

Rest in peace to the legendary artist known as Phase2. Lenny Wood aka Phase2 was born in 1958 and grew up in the Bronx, NY. He started drawing as a kid and would enter the world of Writing or “Graffiti” as some know in 1971 around the birth of hip hop culture. Writing has so many pioneers but Phase is known for developing the “bubble letters” style so many have grown to love. Starting first on paper, then walls, then trains Phase2’s also developed and was one of the great pioneers of “wild style” lettering. His work has influenced writers in the millions all over the country and across the world. For that alone he is a King. But there’s more.
Phase is one of the graphic artists alongside artists such as Buddy Esquire and Eddie Ed to literally design hip hop’s early flyer style and aesthetic. His designs using starts, symmetry, and geometrical shapes are still being used today. He created one of the first Graffiti zines called International Graffiti Times in the late 80s. He had a major role as did so many writers in the early design of hip hop logos and albums as well as flyers. Add to that , he went beyond visuals and rhymed, danced, and DJed under many names. Check out his record “The Roxy”. Shout out to his crews UGA-“United Graffiti Artists” and “Electrified Movement”. 
I first came across his work in the film Beat Street and so many graff magazines and books. Automatically you could see his thinking was light years beyond most. And his name Phase2 alluded to “the next step” or constant growth. He’s said to be influenced by Romare Bearden, Jack Kirby, and countless writers such as LEE 163. Do yourself a favor and check out AIGA’s “Eyes on Design” interview with him by Jerome Harris, the book “Yes Yes Y’all”, and i’m sure i’m missing some info. Please feel free to comment with further research for budding artists to follow. Writing or Graffiti Art was pioneered by Black and Brown artists from Philly and NYC.
Sources: Throw it Up, Video Graf, The Source, Museum of Graffiti.com, AIGA
In case you missed the last Black is Beautiful piece, here are a few:

February 2, 2021
in Black is Beautiful
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Inspiring Artist – Mode 2 (NSFW)

MODE2 “Preludes” Art Exhibition in Paris from Rebild Productions on Vimeo.
I’m not joking when I say I have been a fan of this guy’s since I was a kid. It all started with Spraycan Art by Jim Prigoff. Then , just seeing his work in Graffiti magazines (before the internet). Then actually seeing some of his pieces up close in NYC. Now you can follow him on social media and he has had a website for at several years. Check out this video of him putting together a show!

Check out the post about Alberto Mielgo if you missed it

November 25, 2019
in General
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Inktober 1 -2018 LEE Quiniones



For those who don’t recognize this guy. This is the one and only “LEE” or Lee Quinoines from NYC, one of my favorite artists of all time, a pioneer in Graf styles, and the subject of the 80s film Wild Style. 
Who remembers Lee? Who has not heard of him? Comment below


October 2, 2018
in General, Inktober
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