Rhombus feat McMana (& Lefties!) - Losing It

TRU Dat!

Lefties Words of Wisdom...

Last week I was talking to a writer who gets up everywhere but Lefties. When I hit him up about it he said he only does illegals. I told him that Lefties wasn't legal and that there's usually at least one bust a week.
So - it was a pleasant surprise to see him up the alley today laxing out and watching one of his potatee's throw up.
I've noticed that no writer worth his can control can watch someone else spraying without getting itchy palms themselves so when I walked back past a little bit later I wasn't surprised to see him with face to wall.
Not long after I split, I got a text to say the Boys in Blue were down there enquiring into everyones general well-being via 376 questions. Fortunately no arrests were made and even more importantly, no cans confiscated.

All this to say that a) Lefties is definitely not legal, and getting less lenient everyday b) The old "I Know The Guy Who Works Next Door" tactic is wearing thin and c) The many tenants who live behind the windows are getting less patient and more confident in their ability to push the same number on their phone three times in a row, in the dark if they need to, if you get what I'm sayin...

Doors open, come on in...

Good to see REVAMP up and about with these throwies and a few sticks...






I heard the other day that ERASE isn't in CFG anymore. It was his choice but the crews still tender about it.

Him and Happy aren't in the hoods good books at the mo either. They've been getting up full on - that's not so bad - it's just that even though they've been told, they haven't quite got the concept of 'don't shit in your own nest!'
In other words, they may as well be painting an image of a front door and tagging ERASE and HAPPY hang out here on it.Apparently they've been relieved of a stash of their cans but the damage is done and I suspect it's only a matter of (not very much) time before they get some visitors who are hot for them in all the wrong ways.

Call me any kind of genius but I'm guessing we'll be seeing some new names going up pritttttty soon...

THE BOOM'S BACK IN THE BOX

When I saw this ghetto blaster sten up the alley, I guessed it was Elie's way of saying that BOOMBOX had finished it's relocation mission across the park and they were back in business. I wandered over and sure enough, door open, game on ;-)

There is no way these images do the new pad justice so you'll have to go look-see the red velvet, chandelier and brick classiness for yourself on Labour Day.

One piece of advice though - if you and money find it easy to part ways, leave your wallet at home because we're talking 100% pure street candy that no one can resist...

Plastered in BMD

So - what I want to know is, what came first? The critter that happened to fit around the pipes or the pipes that inspired the critter? And is that a posca he's holding in his hand?!
So it was him doing all the tags round town all this time...






Here's Banksy's latest mission...

CFG Whitewash

I swear CFG have gonads the size of Auckland for some of the shit they get away with...





None of it's classy but it's a fkn bold move!

The friend I was with wasn't sure he liked it but I pointed out that CFG just effectively buffed the whole alley for everyone else ;-)

Keeping An Eye On the Prize...

Erase's old man told me he was taking him and Happy to some graf comp out of town so when I caught up with them down Lefties yesterday, I wasn't surprised to find out they won.
Erase has always had the Can Gods in his back pocket. He inherited a shitload of them when Mephisto Jones split over to Oz and now him and Happy are flush with booty from the comp...



SIN rocked down as I was taking these images and watching the boys finishing off. He looked at the one above and said to Happy - At least it's got eyeballs!
Later on, when I had split from SIN, I saw this fresh one and chuckled to myself...
Man - I'm so stoked I got these images when I did cos CFG went on a mental block buster rampage and capped them all.
You can see them here tomorrow...

ID | NEWS

One of the highlights of the Decked Out opening was meeting ID.
Now I can put a face to the throwies.
I especially get a kick out of seeing experimentation and variations on the usual, which is what ID's been doing lately.

Maybe this is an offensive and naive generalisation, and I'm sure you'll tell me if it is, but maybe there's two kinds of artists/writers?
Those who get a good thing going or something that works for them and rarely stray far from that style/formula - getting slicker and sharper every time.
And those who can never stay anywhere for too long before getting either bored, therefore adventurous, or being stimulated or inspired by something or someone else. It's like they cruise down a street for a while then see a side alley they can't help but go down, which leads them down another one.

From what I've seen of ID - I'd put him in the latter, rapping out the same theme for a while then going total 360 on us.

__________________________________

Side note: Here and here are some of the latest tactics being trialled by anti-taggers around the country FYI...

Bewarefest

What can't BEWARE do?
He's done slaps, stens, pasteys, free photos, a deck and the odd throwie, not to mention both his sites of images and goss. If there were jobs in Grafland, he'd be getting a promotion and payrise before he even started.

What I'm getting at is that people like BEWARE who live/breath/do/share graf are such good advocates for the scene. He's always helping out writers, supporting and encouraging them, putting their stuff up on his sites, visiting them, going to their openings, texting them when he sees something new of theirs, putting people in contact with each other (not just in New Zealand by the way) - the list goes on.

If you've read the book The Tipping Point - you would know that BEWARE is a Connector - and in graf speak, he could be classed as Paste. He quietly contributes to binding all the chaotic haphazard multi faceted aspects of the Wellington graf scene together. Of course, some would say who the fck is he again? But I could almost guarantee the 1 Degree Of Separation rule would apply to anyone with a can or posca in their back pocket and there wouldn't be a tag or cap of hate to be found...

Black and White

While I was hanging out with my whanau in Narrowtaki this weekend gone, BEWARE texted me to say he was in a black book sesh at Manky's with Star Mugs who's from Aux. He also cleared up a mystery for me...
Last week I was doing my usual rounds of the alley when I saw what looked liked the beginning of a throwie.
Now - you know I'll put up anything I find in the alley - almost to the point of being merciless on the toys but I couldn't even bring myself to take an image of this one, let alone put it up here. Turns out that was a rare good call cos it wasn't a piece at all, it was only the start of Mugs - just before he got busted ;-(




This, and morphy variations of it, has gone up all over the city. No idea who it is but quite like them for a change. Another one to add to the GFC list...

Erasing Silenc | Silencing Erase

I've been waiting for an excuse to put up Silenc's last rap text and tenuous as it is, Erase has given me one. Here he's capped Silenc huge piece over in the carpark near the new Boombox. Also - Silenc tells me he'll probably be down in the New Year to get some shit up...

All the bestist!
Jah rythym of rain hit d roof
ova realheads i bn blessed with,
cash distracts from higher values
n incentives to progres d next ish,
do yo thing as strong young Kings n Queens!
who aint on that chicken neck shit,
seek proof n speak the truth
like soulrebels Krs n mc M1,
go to war with these devils n dnt cm bak till afta death -
mum aint gna miss this,
plus i aint gne wait til christmas
to rip shit apart like presents
im out for the poor n opressed workin people peasants
and easily influenced adolesants
who are stressed with' modernday life'
Soul Power!
Lets take it back to the essence!
Text from Silenc
8 Sept 08

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Happy is charging man!
You might remember me rabbling on a while ago about Erase's progress.
I've noticed the same with Happy over the past few months.
It might be obvious that he has DRYPNZ's shoulder to look over in the studio but he's definitely got his own groove...

Pidgeshit

Apparently FKBs CERS isn't thrilled about Erase's ERS (try saying that after you've been up to take part in the joy and happiness of DRIPs birthday imbibeathon!!)





I know!! Scraping the Tragic Barrel when I have to feature the (fornicating 30 seconds ago) pidgeons.

The Family That Paints Together Stays Together ;-)

DRIP is ERASE's old man - I was so stoked to see this! It's not about a father and son doing supposed criminal activity together - it's about a father doing the 13 year old son's favourite thing in the world with him - whatever that is -without judgement...

Luckily DRIP and DRYPNZ are friends so there will be no biting hate bullshit here either ;-)

The Idealist in me is seeing Grafland inching closer to that dream I had that time...

Words

The Decked Out opening at Manky Chops and Alc HQ was way too epic and I'm blaming that for not getting anything up this weekend ;-) I can't wait to put up the images I got of the decks earlier in the day but I promised I'd wait for WWS to go first so you'll have to wait...

Today Sin and I went on a hound mish and got a ton of new and old burners and throwies. Had to make something of the weekend after spending most of it in the recovery position ;-)

Chromeomeo's

Do these two say Magic? Update: Manic apparently ;-)




Eye of the Fish asked the other day for someone to translate 'Squiggle'. I know what he means! As I've said before, it's usually doh! obvious when someone enlightens you...

Hey - props for all the contributions to the Crew Comp! There's still a few question marks but Sherlock Homie's on that case ;-)

BTW - saw Street(un)Wise taking down names up the Alley again today. What do they hope to discover? Do they think the writer names are anagrams for their real identities? Do they collect them to decipher in the smoko room at morning tea when the crosswords get too hard?
Hmmm - I can see it now...
ID - well that's clearly Di! She says that's silver nail polish from the $2 shop but we all know she's as guilty as chromey sin.
And IKON? Does he seriously think that we haven't worked out he's that Niko from Dick Smiths slipping out in his lunch time for a quick throw up?

Haha - would pay money to find out what the Wise Ones are up to.

So - question has to be asked - what's Streetwise an anagram for?

Wire Testes?

Now that's one badass crew name right there!!

Editor Does Over Boombox...

BMD Breeding Ground

ANON put the face up first then BMD got freaky with it. Love the Adams Apple lol

CFG | SHIV | ERASE | CREW COMPILATION

Right - I'm on a mish and I need your help...
I want to get the crews straight in my head.
Below is the list that I know of and if you've got any corrections or additions, I'll keep updating it...
BTW: They're not in any particular order and I apologise in advance if I've got anything seriously messed up - do me a favour and correct me ;-)
CFG - Cool Fools GraffingShiv
Kwiva
DR
Asert
Cose
Ape
Over
Rad
FKB - Fat Kap BanditsHate
Pork (Oz)
Rust (Oz)
Cers
Wasp
Spurt
Associate: Neonate
BH - Bad HabitsCovet
Tank
Quest
Revamp
RTR - Ready to Roll (Aux & Wellie)Ikon
Vents
Repo
Stray
TS - Triple S
Juse 1 (Top Shelf Creative)
Jestah
Drex
Kerb 1 (Top Shelf Creative)
SpexOne
Reakt
Truce
Avid
Ceaper
Associate: ESP?

BML - Bombing Mad LinesScream (also UPC, TA, CIA)
Tens?
Reface?
PAS - ? (ChCh & Well?)Heist
Morks
Chaos
Stix
Interactive?

OMF - Original Mother Fuckers?

OTP - On The Piss (or On The Prowl?)Covet
Revamp
Remis
Helper
Phuse
Boom?
BDC - Bombers Delight Crew
Jer
Erase
Pane
Soap
ID



What was I thinking?! LOL!

Then there's the question whether FTP is a crew or just the statement Fck The Police? Someone thought they'd heard it was a world wide thing?
I can see that connection ;-)
What about Editor & Cast? Editor often has WK on his pieces but role calls some RTR...
And what about F is for Fun? I heard he was in FKB but got sidelined because he wasn't repping them enough. True/False?

As you'll see by the comments - getting some good info.
Want to be sure it's shizworthy though so confirms of the ? would be g

The 30 second Exhibition

So - Green shirt dude is a graphic design student and this was supposed to be an exhibition of some sort. He and his crew were sticking up huge sheets of paper - ie: NOT actually intending to paint on the walls - when the Blues turned up and shut it down. Green dude got some plastic cuffs put on and was charged with drinking a bottle of beer in public.

Moral of the story seems to be that the law doesn't like surprises - the dudes should have got permission, signed in triplicate, distributed to everyone in the neighbourhood, notices in the paper, had at least one sponsor and invited the Mayoress.


Thanks to BEWARE for the images and, green dude, if you read this and I've got anything wrong or you have anything to add, leave a comment.

________________________________

OK - may as well get everything else off my not so substantial chest while I'm here...

Two things about this article in the paper got me going a few weeks ago.
First - that they're assuming it was a/the tagger that beat the guy.
Second - that they've been encouraging people for a while now to ring 111 to report graffiti.
Using our national emergency line to report graffiti?!
What's that about?

No-one that I know of has tried to communicate with the graf community to find out what they want. If they have any suggestions on what would make them stop tagging. What rules they could make for themselves that they might agree on.
Yeah - I know - I'm sickeningly idealistic and we'd probably have more luck finding out Banksy's real name or who The Splasher is but is the whole crack down, arrests, pink vests strategy working?

Now there's an Inner City Business and Residents group being set up in the hood by ex-mayor, Mark Blumsky, and one of the bullet points on their agenda is graffiti. Naturally I had to join it, and I look forward to the next meeting - will keep you posted. Item #1: Distinction between tagging and graffiti ;-)

I don't see myself as an authority on what writers want or even get out of what they do but the very nature of the graffiti game is that the writers and artists stay low therefore don't know, or have any control over, the decisions being made that affect them.
I have absolutely no influence within the graf community and they couldn't give a fat cap about me or these sites but, regardless, I believe in them and their art form and, in the absence of anyone else, I can't not be a stoolie...

30 Sec Exhibition Take 2 + Vid

These from SIN's camera - which is actually BEWAREs old camera ;-) And blame me if the vid at the end has you knawing you hand off - it's my first attempt (with SIN's text help) at editing lol!

Thanks so much to SIN and BEWARE for being the Stoolies on the Spot and for sharing their captures ;-)

Lefties Playpen

Last night I played a bit of (suck) pool with BEWARE then came home to get the nights posting done. I was just walking up my hill when I got a text from SIN telling me there was some action happening down Lefties and to get down ASAP. I texted BW and he said he was on his way too.
I got changed out of my work clothes then walked quickly to the bus stop but as I was waiting, BW let me know that the polis had been down and broken the event up before it could even start so, disappointed, I headed back home.
I'm just on my way into town now to pick up the images and vids SIN and BW got so I can show and tell you the full haps tomorrow...

HAPPY | STIX

Happy used to write HAPPY because he so wasn't. Recently one of his best friends' (graf supportive) fathers offered to have him live with them and lets just say his new digs suit him. Could his graf have worked as a philosophical 'fake it till you make it' manifestation of happiness?

What I like about Happy's style is that he doesn't have one yet. Every week he experiments with new ideas.
The first Happy stick I got an image of (over there) could only be described as naive, but within days the eyeball one went up and I was so impressed with the progress I had to nab it for the wall of fame at home.

And dare I risk the Big Boys hate and wrath when I say I think it's bitchin to see Happy experimenting with characters, which not many toys do. Yelz, DRYPNZ, BMD, Cracked Ink and a few others have got it going on but it's keeping it fresh to have a new player dip his toes in the Mutey Character pool.

It's hardly Berlin, China or Pink Floyd but here's some of the aforealludedto wall...

The elections haven't happened yet so, until they pass a law against it, feel free to send us your stix or pasteys to:

Leftbank
P O Box 7363
Wellington 6242

And I'll find some more wall...


PS: The majority of the above were donated and the rest were only removed in accordance with the strict guidelines listed on page 13, Section E of the Graf Pilferers Manual.

Whose Graf is it Anyway

CFG seem to be collecting some not-too-foul writers. Saw a burner at the skate park today by ASERT and it was nehsty! It had CFG, Kwiva and Shiv on the role call but maybe the dude was just shouting out. Stoking if the boys did have the pulling power to lure ASERT onto their crew though ;-)

Speaking of the ASERT curiosity - I might as well list the rest of the mysteries the GFC (Graf Forensix Crew lol) are working on:

• Who is LINE? And are they male or female?
• What does BMD stand for?
• Is ANON actually DUSK, or one of her crew?
• What does OMF stand for? Shiv told me but I forget - something Mother Farkas I'm guessing.

Looking forward to someone shining a torch over that lot...

SLOPE

Months ago I went to Manky Chops first mammoth and very rocking colab opening of mainly graf artists. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the bods so decided to do a quick drive by of all the pieces before accelerating the feck out of there. But when I got to the red and black painting of a woman with a bob, in the corner, I was as stalled as an XY Falcon stuck between 1st and 2nd.
Her transfixing eyes and knowing demeanor made her look so She Bond.
Time and sound stood back politely until I was able to drag myself away and before I could regret spending the bonus I'd got that day, that was earmarked for something else. I did, however, regret not getting an image of her.

___________________________

A few weeks ago I was talking to Dave and he invited me to their latest opening. Imagine my ecstasy when I found out it was the same artist and it turns out that Slope (aka Brad ;-) was one of the people who nominated Leftbank for the award so, yeah, you'd be safe assuming in we had a bit to chat about when we were introduced.

The reason I put Slope up here is that first - Manky's falls into the One Block Rule and is a staunch supporter of Graf and second - because, among other things, Slope used to be a tagger (which happens to have given him the most exquisite signature of any artist I've ever seen btw).
There's only one thing that baffled me the whole night, and still does every time I look at his pieces...
How could the dealer galleries have all rejected his work?
I don't get it.
He's prolific, his pieces are finished immaculately, his prices are fair, he's motivated and the nicest guy to communicate with. How can the Dealers not hear the soundtrack 'Ching Ching' to that story?

___________________________

'Astute' is how I would describe the woman who bought Jessica Alba for double digits before the doors had even opened - and 'No Regrets' is what I'm suspecting she'd say if you asked her in a year how she felt about that particular investment...

Star Mugs

I'm sure there's some myspace/capitalist/highschool/smoko room joke behind this but it's lost on me. I'm guessing that makes me the Starriest Mug of all ;-)

I keep forgetting to tell you that I've changed the way I edit images.
I realised that even though there's over 4 thou pics stored on google from both sites, I've only used 20% of my storage. So - no more skimping on res - now you can click on an image and get the full picture (unless the quality was so shite I had to reduce it just to get the pixels herded together). It takes me forfeckingevah to load them but I figure it's worth it so you get the max magnificence of the quality pieces - and so the toys can get off on full frontals of their frowies ;-)

AND - if you do make the executive decision to enlarge, I expect the minimum of a Sheeeeit! when you remember that every single one of these images were taken on a Nokia celly...

HINT: You have to right click on the image and select 'Open link in new tab' (Firefox - not sure about IE) or you won't get back to the site when you close it.

SCREAM | CFG

I walked up the alley and sprung DR just finishing the CFG.
I walked back down a few hours later and SCREAM was getting this up.
Creds to SCREAM for butting up against CFG and not doing a territory dog piss over it like so many would...

Lately I heard the Graf Kitchen's been generous with dishing up double helpings of Knuckle Sandwhich, including servings of Beef on the side.
Call me old fashioned but I was happy to hear this old school establishment doesn't use knives and forks and everyone's been using their fingers ;-)

Demon Invasion...

These pasteys could be classed as a new species of fungi - they've spread everywhere virtually overnight and if you have a degree in Pixel Translation you'll just barely make out the words Lucky Dragons (US).
Even though it says Dragons, for some reason my subconscious must have grabbed onto the Demon word because last night I had this Da Vinci Code type dream where I was being warned to get rid of this image and not publish or even look at those words.
WTF?!

Stuck Up

You know how SIN did the SIN throwie, then, a few days later Mount Cook and the Tui? I was impressed but not surprised that he carefully lifted this stick and painted under it both times...do unto others?



FTL's a mystery that is on the GFC file (Graf Forensics Crew) yet to solve ;-)

N DOGG | BMD

I don't know if I've told you this before but I have a One Block rule - most of the images here are from the alley but I'll put up something if it's within the surrounding block.
All in the name of keeping it freaky and bringing you more bank for your buck.

You're welcome ;-)

There's a small urban forest missing a few trees with the amount of paper getting slapped around the hood right now and we're in pastey heaven.
The above two are from a dude who shall be known as N DOGG until someone tells me different (with a Welcome to the Hood colab from Beware). We've never heard of him before but I can see why he might be attracted to the alley - it does look and smell disturbingly like a (decomposing) dogg run ;-)

I only knew this BMD heaven was here cos of seeing it on his Myspace page. My cellie doesn't like zooming so not the finest example...
BMD has spread hizself from the alley to Newtown.
I've taken so many images of his stuff in the past week that I couldn't fit him up the alley and had to put him on The Street...

OMF

We only really see the OMF crew in the school holidays.
In fact, that's how we know it's the school holidays.
However, a couple of the guys from CFG said they're all over them out the burbs...

Chalk

SIN and I took a quick dive down the alley in the weekend before going our different ways for the day and came across Erase and some of his homeboys hanging out. There had been some city thing where there was shitloads of chalk everywhere for people to draw with and the first thing we noticed was chalk tagging spread from one end of the alley to the other.
SIN and I were mocking it, contemplating the organic and sustainable nature of it as a tag medium, when one of Erase's boys did a homie stance, then, with defiance and attitude rapped out "Chalks gangstah man!!"
SIN and I looked at each other then pissed ourselves laughing ;-)

Sin Stick & Throw

I was just commenting to Beware that of all the writers and artists, SIN seems to be the most varied in what he churns out with mostly good and moments of stunning...

Slope, Slapstix and Visual Tourists...

A few mysteries demystified this past week...
Pink Boots is Eek's girlfriend. Also, I'd been hoping to see Arlo Edwards because somebody thought he might have something to do with the dotscape in Newtown.
I got my chance to find out on Friday night at Slope's opening at Manky Chops (on The Street soon) when he rocked in. He confirmed it was none other than his funky self with a little help from some friends. We also found out that these were his slaps we'd been seeing around...
I don't think I've ever spoken to Arlo when he isn't on some mission - always involving art of some sort and usually collaborative.
This time it's his latest Visual Tourist gig.

In the Museum of Curious Intent sounds like a mixed media orgy. The Eye's Wide Shut of art?
"Arlo takes pride in the look and feel of an exhibition, and will put his all into making the launch of the exhibition (26 September) a night to remember. He says the gallery will be lit for a darkened setting, complimented by red velvet curtains, extraordinary installations and a rich accompaniment of sound"
It wouldn't take anyone with a single digit IQ to get why I might have my tent set up outside in order to be first in.
Lets just say the words Darkened, Red and Rich sounds like a (hundred times) classier indoors version of the alley...

"Awarded to E and the Street Writers"...

We won.

What blew us away the most was the overwhelming positive acknowledgment of graf/street art by most of those who attended the Wellington Civic Trust Awards last night.

The montage that Callum, one of the judges of the Street Art award, compiled was stunning - the images were so clear and vivid, especially considering they were all taken on my Nokia cell phone.
And it was so cool to see everyone from Ceaper to DR and out of towners Flox, Silenc and so many more represented up on the big screen - if you'd been there you would've been so pumped to see your stuff up.

Some of the other nominees were the TS crew and Surplus Bargains. I was quietly gobsmacked at how much TS have done around the place - I had no idea and could have learnt a thing or two from their modesty last night - they were so chill and cool to hang with.

I have to do a shout out to all the writers represented - you were the stars last night. And to Beware, Sin and James from Boombox for being support crew - afterwards, it was them I kept going back to to get grounded (and a beer).

But most of all, I've told him 137 times and will keep telling him, I couldn't do what I do without Beware and when accepting the award I was really doing it on behalf of us as a team...

There was no media present and I've managed to keep my name anonymous so don't expect any tv appearances or product endorsements anytime soon but know that we're on a Mission from Graf and this award might give us a bit of foot-in-door cred for future developments.
As always - I'll keep you posted...
E

And the Award Goes To?

Tonights the night!

I have to admit being massived out by all the support Lefties has had thrust upon it since the announcement and you'll be the first to hear what happened.
And good luck to everyone else who's been nominated - see you there ;-)

IKON

Years ago I got to drive around the back blocks of Brisbane in a truck delivering chaffy stuff to stations and I didn't see one single Kanga. Not one. I came home and said that Kangaroos, and especially problem Kangaroos were a myth (just like the wind in Wellington).

I get a similar sense of mystery with IKON.
I've got so many images of his primo burners but I've never actually seen him paint. I even got to hang out with him recently when the guys were getting up behind the Opera House but he'd already finished.

I swear on my Brownie badge that the other day I walked past the above wall down the alley and when I walked past it five minutes later he was spread all over it.
What's that about?!

Whatever it is - I'm addicted.

And I know I'm not the only one who can't get enough of IKON's work - the vibrancy, variety and strength of his pieces are legendary and the RTR crew must be stoked with the prolific, high-profile reps...

Loading up on Ironlaks

I'd been looking for a new pair of jeans for a few years so got up early on Sunday and decided to be all open minded and even try on some skinnys. I wandered past Loaded in Manners Mall and remembered a rumour I'd heard that they had the cheapest Ironlaks in town so I popped in for a squiz.
260 queens heads lighter, as I was about to leave, I remembered to ask about the laks.
Goes like this...
Yes, Ironlak got the feedback that their new formula sucked and have been working on it. Now, apparently, the yellows are still a bit prematurey but the rest have mostly sorted their shit out and pretty well do what they're told and good thing is, laks are only $7.50 right now.

Not sure if improved formula or cheap as laks can help Berp on their throw up mission to conquer the world but noticing not one dribble ;-)

Left Overs From Last Week

Either a new toy or an old one who's thrown his name out of the cot and got a shiny new one - either way - need a degree in Graf Interpretation majoring in Toy Psychology to work it out ;-)

Round the Block...

We're so used to Dusk's pasteys being of voluptuous, cheeky looking femmes so this one is a bit of a change. But knowing Dusk - there's a good chance this is a statement about something she's been noticing or thinking about lately...

These two pasteys are by Eeks. Some tips on Eeks you could go to the TAB and cash in on is that his pieces never run in straight lines, the proportions are often distorted, his characters are multi coloured freak shows and he's unpredictable - the very line up that makes his stuff outstanding...

Lefties Award Nomination

www.leftbank.co.nz has received multiple nominations in the Street Art category of the Wellington Civic Trust Awards.
The awards get presented in the Icon Room (good omen?) at Te Papa between 5:30 - 7:30 on Thursday the 18th of September.

The guy who contacted me said they were really impressed to see Wellington graffiti represented. Of course, we all know there are quite a few sites, and stores & galleries also supporting graf but, maybe because the alley is so in everyones faces (and nostrils), it's the one that got the noms.

Apparently there were quite a few others nominated - Ellen Coup for her exceptional mural by the bus stop in Newtown, the creator of the relief pattern in the airport tunnel, to name a few that the dude told me.

And I was thrilled to hear that another nominee was a graf crew - he said TS so I'm not sure if it's Top Shelf or Triple S - either way - onya's!!

Do you get how good this is for graf?
All those times that you go out, after work or school, at night or in the weekends, in the cold and or rain, dragging your kit, risking getting busted (or getting busted) to get your creations up - at this moment in Wellington time - is being recognised as worthwhile and valid.
I'm not sure how it's all decided but it was the public who put in the nominations and just the fact that the Awards have created a Street Art category shows that there's more awareness and acceptance of the streets as a gallery with entertainment value and potential.

So - if you're a writer and you're in the hood on that night, I would be really honoured if you were to join me at the awards. If, by some miracle the Graf Gods poked their heads in on the night and I was to find myself accepting an award, it would be on behalf of you and I would want you there with me - whether I've met you before or not, whether you throw, burn, slap, sten or paste, legit or otherwise - as long as you're a contributor to the street, you should be there too.

I know you're publicity shy and it goes against everything you're always having to look over your shoulder for, but this could be the one night when graffiti actually gets a positive rap and I want to make sure you're represented and get the credit you work your hiney off for.

And big ups to everyone who nominated the alley.

I can't help but feel this is a break through...

NEO NATE / JeROmE CopE!uS

At Philosophy School we learnt about 'waking sleep' - that state where your brain is so busy with all its random thoughts and rantings that you don't 'see' anything around you. Classic case being driving home from work where, if someone asked, you wouldn't be able to tell them anything specific you might have seen on the way.

I remember the day I 'woke up' and saw graffiti for the first time. It was about 8 years ago - I was walking down the Dixon Street steps and F is For Fun was written on the railing. I know that I noticed it because it was such a positive message. And once I woke up, there was no nodding back off.

Dryp's characters were the first series I noticed, followed closely by Neo Nate's Bulb Head and Street Squatch. Knowing both of these artists now I can't help but laugh when I remember that I thought it might be the same person doing all these characters ;-)

My brother generously bought me a 3G Nokia to keep in contact when I was in Japan - the camera was the bonus bling and the beginning of these sites...

So - when wanting to add a bit of dimension to the Alley, it was a no brainer to ask Neo Nate if I could pester him about his art...

Knowing that his other obsession is skating, and because he had done the above pieces on the legit boards the week before, we met down the skate park.

Note to Self - My only regret is that I didn't take a voice recorder because we were rapping in seconds and Neo Nate was so interesting I knew right away I didn't have a chance of remembering everything he told me.

NN was brought up between Hastings and Te Awamutu.
He remembers his mother taking him to the library in Hastings when he was a tacker where he always made his way over to the comic books. Manga was the first and strongest influence on him and he couldn't help but start drawing. He says he's still heavily influenced by Manga even now and is attracted to the clean simple lines and range of expressions.

We started talking about his most popular characters - Bulb Head and the Street Squatch. They were his first characters that were his own and he still has the very first drawings of them.
I asked him if they were Super Heroes and he looked straight at me and said Hell Yeah!

I started reeling off all the other characters I'd photographed and I can't believe I'd never noticed the distinctive Crustation theme which he admitted to being fascinated by.

I had promised beer as the bribe to talk to me so we made our way to a local bar (including his girl). Once the beers were opened, we started talking about the scene, and if I was impressed by his work, I was stunned at how much he knew about the history of many of the writers and crews in NZ, & especially Wellington - going back years.

I don't feel like I'm doing Neo Nate justice and have stuck a Post It note to my forehead to take a tape recorder next time I find someone willing to spill but the thing that's stayed with me is how humble and unassuming he is.
It felt like a real treat to hang with him and we're all looking forward to when he gets back in a few months from his valuable whanau time in Te Awamutu...

And Happy Birthday matey potatee ;-)

There's A Pattern Emerging...

These Eeks pasteys are just across the street from the Alley. They're so random and bright and cool they stand out like dogs balls.
Or chin testes ;-)

There's a Surplus Bargains pastey just above the top one too but SB has been spreading hisfineself around a lot lately so I've put him up on The Street.

Even though Eeks got busted by the 5-Ohshitohdear, and there's been a lot of beef in the past few months, it hasn't stopped the action around town. In fact, there seem to be more slaps and pasteys going up than ever. And Ikon et al have the legit burner market covered so all this is putting Wellies right up there for eye jollies right now...

Alley to Opera House...

Some very cool European flava going on over at WWS lately...



We (the Graf hounds) have all been noticing the epic pasties going up around town lately. I'll try to get them up on The Street in the next few weeks.

Not much news from Lefties lately but today we spent a sunny hour or so watching Ikon, Editor, Cast and Drypnz getting some new pieces up behind the Opera House.
Remember how they did that last lot of burners and the car park people painted their numbers and spaces right through the pieces?

Well this time, with a bit of colab with the car park police, Ikon did the impressive job of painting the disputed car park numbers up above all the pieces. Impressive because there could have so easily been some serious damage to tender goods as he balanced precariously on the thin top hand rail of his step ladder to do it.

We never know what the guys are going to get up but one thing's consistent, and that's the 'mare with Ironlaks.
I'm pickin their sales graph probably resembles their cans about now - dribbling in a downwards motion.

SIN

Now that so many of the walls are covered down Lefties, there's not much action happening. Good in most ways but not so good when trying to be all fresh and frank here ;-)
So - these are images borrowed off SINs mem stick cos he's good like that. And there will probably be more over the next few days.
I find that SIN has a similar image taking style to mine so I don't feel all weird putting his gear up. Just a shame his camera's bailed on him...



That last one there? When I saw that, I had no idea what it was and didn't bother taking an image of it but when it turned up on SINs memory stick I raved not-so-quietly to him. It's definitely my favourite SIN...

Silenc Rap Ture

I robbed this image of Sin's MySpace page because, apart from Silenc, he was the only one I know who got it before it was buffed - Thanks man ;-)

Like an emo undergoing keemo in pareemareemo

things aint what they seem yo
martain lutha king was killed cos he dreamed
bro im headin where my team
wont in a dream boat that keeps float
but im runin out steam
yo rollin on my last 3spokes
thru the exhaust fumes n tree smoke
pety shit 4d deep blokes
who front so hard they dont even seem broke
Text from Silenc
29 Aug 08

Chocca Lefties...

Deciphering writing's one of those weirdies where you can look and look and pull apart a piece letter by letter and not be able to work out what it says but when someone tells you, you're all Of course!!
And I'm sure that's what I'll say when someone enlightens me on these two...




So much is happening in the hood as per.
DR got chased out of Lefties by the BKK, Erase has joined CFG, Eeks has got a few pasteys up around the place, DRYPNZ is working like a crazy thing on an international graf collaboration show at Mankys in Nov (will let you know more when there's more to know) and Neonate has split for a few months.
And speaking of the BKK, I heard they used a bit of the rough and tumble with a few writers they cornered a few weeks back.
Settttle!

Lately it's been such a pleasure to walk to work and see all the burners around the place. And maybe the tag nazi's are having an effect cos I'd swear on my Mk4 Zodie that there's been way less of it lately.
For now the scene seems to have caught onto the concept of quality over quantity and there's no sorrows to drown over that news...

Dusk Maiden

One Divine Dusk over another. Is there any such thing as too many Dusks?

My eyes hurt sooooo bad.
I was convinced they were going to fall out, on my lap, throbbing and writhing. And I just knew it would have been while throwing back sake at Catch Sushi, making it understandable that the Sushiettes might mistake my bloodveined, tearstained eyeballs for something that could go on the conveyor belt - black plate for effect, uncooked, with or without wasabi - which would've been dead cert to start a frenzy once the other punters discovered there were only two to go round.
I knew you'd be horrified at the drama, not to mention the images (that someone else would've had to take cos I wouldn't have been able to see), so me and my wary eyeballs took a rest.

I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. I work 8 - 10 hours at my computer at work then another 3-5 up the alley and on the street. (Luckily I know you know what I mean!)
I'm going to lay off the Street for a while - that's where I have to do the most work - but I just can't give up the Alley! (Next I'll have a website called Marion Street then you really will wonder! Lol)

Lefties is looking it's finest right now with representation from almost every local writer and artist that has anything stunning to offer. And cred to the toys who've pulled their heads and posca's in enough for pieces to dry, let alone go a few weeks, without being done over.

Call this Fight Club but I'll keep coming back here until I have no choice but to go kicking and screaming...

SIN

SIN the Superhuman. He always looks a bit pale but when he did these he'd been in bed sick for the previous 3 days. Maybe that's where the skull with wings came from - I can relate to that 'just take me away' feeling when I've been sick...

MORE SLAPPERS

I never know if this is Gee2, Gees or GEEZ. Sin and I were yarning when we saw some gansta looking dude tagging his way up the alley. We found out it was this guy and when I tried to find out what his writing name was, he told me but I still couldn't work it out.


Erase has been doing more stickers than throwies lately. Is it just me or is his stuff totally watchable?!

CFG/NEONATE/LIGHTBULB MAN

Have to say it's the first time my pool ass has been whipped by a crew!
I was out with NeoNate and his girl when some CFGers came in. They were up for a game so games we played - 5 of them. Their pool style can only be described as unco but they just kept getting them down and I heard this rumour that's all that counts in pool.
I'm not going to make any wus excuses about my lack of form but the fact that Kwiva was playing with his cast on and still winning - well - lets just say I've suddenly got a case of Convenient Amnesia ;-)

DELT2 rocked in a bit later too. 

The Cue Room was totally the Writer Room that night...


It's taken me a good year to work out this is CAST.
I never said my name was Lightening Speed ;-)
And the lightbulb man. Haven't seen him for a while but good to have him back in the hood...

Matey Potatees...

I just wanted to do a quick shout out for all the support you guys (and girl) are giving Lefties. Most of the time it feels like I'm posting to a black hole of nothing and no-oneness so every comment, liking or hating, tells me you're there.
About 25 of you are regulars who check in everyday and there's another 20 to 30 Leftie Virgins daily with the weekends being double those numbers (and rising weekly).

I'm happy with that ;-)

And as long as you keep coming back, I'll keep scrounging around the alley to put something on the table each night. I think you know by now that I can only serve you what goes up, burners or bogies, and cred to you because when you find the offerings unpalatable, you're grown up enough not to take it out on me personally.

As you know, sometimes I don't do things very beautifully, I often get things wrong and I can get a bit emo but I'd rather dish it how I see it, albeit naively and idealistically, and cop your bleats than get dead air, so don't hold back.

Thanks again - means tuns
E

That's all.
As you were...

Letters From Lost Memories...

It was a no brainer to guess this was compiled by SIN.
I asked him who had an obsession with him but he said he and Beware found these letters on the ground near Left Bank.
Not long after he left this lying against the wall in a patch of sun in Lefties it disappeared. Was the writer of the letters mortified to see her beating heart flacidly pinned to a piece of cardboard for all the wwworld to see?

I've left the images at full res so if you click on them, you should be able to read them.

Cred to SIN for the effort and for blankedyblanking the blankable parts ;-)








Beware was up the alley this week taking pics when a not-so-young (70ish) lady wandered up to him and asked if he was "photographing it or adding to it?" He cautiously said he was photographing it for a website. She then commented "Oh - it (the pieces) does brighten up a dull alley doesn't it".
Aww...bless ;-)

While he was there, he saw Walkwise doing their note taking gig again.

And we've seen more of the BKK (Blue Klux Klan as Silenc calls them) than both DR and Ikon combined lately - they're really ramping up the heat. Maybe they've got a warehouse full of Pink Vests they're keen to get rid of?
By the way - apparently Frenchies staff have got a bit tired of vouching for writers when the BKK come in (understandably) so now writers have to get a written consent from the owner. I'm not quite sure how that works but I'll try to find out for you.

Here's some good news though...somebody we shall hereafter refer to as God's Gift To (a few selected) Writers , has given permission for their walls to be hit up. That's Bewares gig though so I'll let him fill you in when the deeds done - watch his space...

Burn Factor 57

We're getting some serious retina burning action lately! This is left to right - truth is - I wasn't quite sure where one started and one left off...






I thought this style looked like a writer I got in Mays Lane in Sydney but we heard the guy was from Aux. Could he have done a piece in Syds? Or is it a commonish style. Not sure but McLovin it...(feel free to enlighten us if you've got some dish on it)




Slap me round the chops with a full can but I've often not taken images of Cast's stuff because I haven't been sure if he's finished or not...

BTW - total side alley here - heard today that AK was Shiv - is that true?

Even though Editor and Cast are bro's from South Africa, it doesn't take much more than an alleyway IQ to work out what's being said here ;-)

Slaps Around the Hood...

Yep - you just know I'm going to thrash that SLAPS word and put it in as many sentences I can until I either lose all (ok - both) my friends or get arrested - whatever comes first...

It was all on down the alley this weekend. In fact, there were so many writers, and their girls, and their hanger ons and homies that Beware couldn't even get any pics of the wallage. I went down after playing pool all night but they were in the non lit area of the alley so you'd need an army issue infrared viewmaster to make out anything.

I'll get some images today and get them up tonight for you...

You're welcome ;-)

Last Weeks Leftovers...

Back Alley Humour...

Free Photos

OK - so this isn't strictly LB related but this is rules being bent - cos I can. Lets call it Friends of LB Day.

Beware does this thing where he takes an image of some graf then gets the image printed, you know, like old school printed - an actual photograph - and sticks it to the place where he took the image.
When he first told me about them, do you think I could get wtf he was trying to explain to me? It took being dragged to this one for me to get it.
Vague?
Yessum...

EEKS

Glad to see EEKS hasn't lost his Mojo after being sprung by the PVP's a few months ago - although fairly sure the Total Crap comment was written by him - if so - Jury's still out on the state of Mojo...

Slap Stick

Beware told me today that stickers are called Slaps in the States - dunno why but I really like that - I suggested that made him a Slapper...


Here Lies SIN Gone To Hell...This has got to be the hardest thing I've ever tried to take an image of!

Agent 66

Late Saturday avo, Beware and I had done the scope down the alley to get Ikon and Vents pieces and anything else we'd missed, then BW went to work and I went to Maxwell Smart.
When I came out of the movie, I had three text messages. Two of them were from a random number I didn't know.
Cops hassling writers at t mo at left bank...
I asked which writers and did anyone get arrested?
I don't know who they had but was a big grp both police and writers...2 guys painting earlier got away...

Now, I don't give my number out to anyone for obvious reasons, so it felt weird coming out of Maxwell Smart all Agent 99'd up then getting those mystery texts. Lets just say that there was a mission to be had and me and my Nokia were locked and loaded.

So - even though the time on the texts were 30 minutes earlier and all the action would have been over, after reporting in to BW at his work, I slid back down the alley to stake out what had gone up since we were there a few hours earlier.


Mission accomplished ;-)

BTW - I also worked out who the mystery texter was too!
So - hyped up on Agentroids and the nights adventures, the games of pool I went on to play sounded something like this...
tssss! ;-)

Totally random side note - Now that Ikon, Vents, TU/NL, DRYPNZ and Yelz's pieces have gone up, not only does Lefites look less alley and more gallery - they make the toys throwies look even more like kiddy doodles.

YELZ / DRYPNZ

Every few weekends I like to take a trip down past the skatepark and capture what's gone up on the legals down there. Today was stunningly sunny so, because I could see a few writers skating and hanging out, I decided to make like a cat and lounge in the sun, taking in the action.
Beware texted me to see what I was up to and ended up meeting me there.

Eventually, as always, we ended up down the alley where we were stoked to see DRYPNZ, who had just finished the above face, and Yelz. Neither of us had met Yelz before but we'd both wondered on our respective sites where he'd gone.
Once DRYPNZ introduced us, we told Yelz we'd missed him and he said he'd had a bunch of papers to hand in.
I guess studying must fill in the time while he's waiting for the paint to dry ;-)

On amicable, sunny days like today when graf love is everywhere, I wish the GP could meet these 'reckless vandals' and find out how charming, peaceful and egoless, yet motivated they really are...

VENTS / IKON

Beware should be a psychic! A few weeks ago we were all wtf about Lefties bad attitude and BW said You wait - when the sun comes out, writers will start painting again. I wish I'd put a fitty on that one!

A few days ago I'd cleaned out the pantry but luckily I don't buy into poverty consciousness and knew we wouldn't go hungry. My names not Marie Antoinette but I can say Let Them Eat Cake cos there's so many treats down Lefties it's like a banquet hall.
My advice is to get down there over the next few days to cop a looksee before they get capped...


BTW - Lefties isn't the only place VENTS and IKON hit this weekend. If you're around town, go see their burners in the carpark opposite Dick Smiths on Vivian - I'll be putting those up on The Street in a few days...
As one Graf Hound said - Ikon's changing our landscape...

TU/NL

Apparently this guy is European. He went and got permission to do them. He signed the two pieces TU and NL so Beware wondered if it could be like Tunnel? But then, if he's European, who knows what they might stand for in his language...

There's lots to show and tell that's happened down the alley over the last 24 hours but I want to get some better images for you than the ones I have.

It's a rare sunny day here so I'll go out now - might do a mish round the skate park and some other hot spots while I'm at it. See you back here soon ;-)

Mother Hubbards Cupboard

I've been working from home this week (remote accessummgood!!!) and no ops to get down the alley so this is the cleaning out of the Lefties pantry...

You can tell this one's old because you can still see the original colour of the (then) newly buffed wall April 07. There's been so many go overs since then that the masses of layers of paint are closing the alley in - soon you'll have to hold your stomach in and walk sideways ;-)



I mentioned that AK found a spot and just keeps capping himself - this was taken mid July and he's still got that spot ;-)

"There's nowhere to escape from Lefties!" was SIN's response when I asked him what Quick Hide meant.
We already know my Nokia is shit at taking close ups so I'm not even going to apologise for the crappy res - it was on the back of the TV not long before it got munted then taken away

BEWARE

Stens and below (mutey) pastey by BEWARE.

After experimenting with different media's, BW has settled on stickers, pasteys and stencils.
When he was putting up the gasmasks, Ikon wandered down and commented that there needed to be more stens around the place.
Have you ever noticed no-one can get enough of stencils? It doesn't seem to matter what artists and writers personal style choices are, almost everyone appreciates a good clean stencil.

BW's one of my favourite human beings. He's a fellow graf hound and obsessio and all we talk and text about all day is graf (taking the pressure of his long suffering non-graf partner I hope!). If it wasn't for BW, I would never have had the courage to start this site. In fact, if it wasn't for him, I still wouldn't know what a pastey or a throwie was, even though I had been taking images of both for a few years for the Street. Graf was a language I loved the look of but didn't know how to speak until I met BW who gave me a crash course. He's like a graf wiki and, as far as Leftbank resources, BW's more crucial than both my Nokia and laptop combined.

So here's the thing...
I'm a toy (and I know I'm not doing myself any cred favours by saying that), but I have BW who I can ask for help. Even though he's almost 20 years younger than me, he isn't protective of what he knows and isn't scared to share it, he notes, encourages and big ups my progress without making me feel like an old fool tool - and on a sub-conscious level he does what all the best mentors do - he makes no mention at all of the bad but always high tens the good.
The effect is that I get courage to try new things (coming soon by the way) and push myself harder and most of all, after hours at work then having to come home to do another mid-nighter here, night after night, it helps me stay motivated.

Now, you must know by now where this is headed...

Adopt a Toy!! lol ;-)

Share your knowledge - give someone a hand, or a can. Help a dribbly toy with no can control but a ton of potential feel like they're not up a dark alley risking arrest or being done over for nothing.

What goes around, goes around, goes around, goes around, comes all the way back around...
We all know JT's singing about Graf Karma right?

Next day...
Now that I'm not cross eyed and exhausted, I just read over this again.
It's obvious what my name E stands for.
Emo!
How about S.I.E?
Sickeningly Idealistic Emo?! haha

CFG

I just noticed CFG are now Cool Fools Graffin' - easier to spell and makes more sense ;-)

Multi Media Installation - Lefties Style ;-)

After the shock and disgust of seeing Have Fun Cleaning Bitch tagged on the knitting shop window, it was probably just as well my internet connection went belly up and I couldn't post for a few days.

That was yesterday and today I'm over it, and marveling at this image taken last night as the sun was setting, I can only laugh at the thoughts I had of not doing this anymore.

What's not to love about this unpredictable derelict tract of pipes and concrete...

Otis and Silenc Speak Up...

Just in case you missed them, here are Otis and Silenc getting up real good!

And this, at the very end of the interview in the TV3 studio this morning with Otis and the Councilor in charge of Zero Tolerance for Graffiti programme in Auckland, Paul Greenwood...

Interviewer: Any merit, do you think, to the Council providing an area the people are allowed to use for these kinds of purposes?

Otis: Absolutely - Yes!

Councillor: I don't think so - I mean - I think that's the old just hug them a bit more, love them a bit more and they'll stop doing it. I think you've actually got to catch people.

Otis: I think loving and hugging more would actually probably work.

And from the interview with Silenc...

If the Council members, the Mayor and all these anti-graffiti people, if they're coming from an angle - like if I come at you like this and punch you, you're automatically going to throw up the defensive right? Well - it's natural - ok?
So I think that's not the way to actually solve the problem - by attacking. The best way is to, you know, just basically, to reason...

I couldn't help but think that both the graf guys looked so zen.
And when will the Councils, Police and graffiti activists et al start taking notice of what they were both saying, what we've all been saying, for how long?...

Ich Gehe Schlafen...

Remember the story I told you about my German couch surfer Sarah and how I ripped off Dusk on Ghuznee St and gave her to her to take back to Germany?

And do you remember that I told you she made the sticker Eye Opened that went onto the Lefties Sticker Window of Fame (then got tagged over)?

Well - she sent me an email last week and toward the end she asked if I'd seen her other stickers. I said No - that I thought there was only the one.

A few nights ago I was walking home in the dark and rain and for some reason I looked up suddenly and right in front of me was one of Sarah's instantly recognisable stickers. I looked at it closer and burst out laughing because it said Ich Gehe Schlafen.

The whole time she and Theresa stayed with me, the only piece of their language they were able to get through to me was Ich Gehe Schlafen which loosely translates into I'm tired - I want to go to bed now (or similar). This is exactly what I would say every night when I had been editing and posting here for hours until I got too cold or went cross eyed - whichever came first - and it didn't take long to become our In joke.

So - seeing a random sticker on a random street that hundreds of people must have walked past and knowing immediately it had been specifically made for me and had just been biding it's time until I finally discovered it was trippy! On a cold winter's night, this was an ultimate treat which made me feel strangely special and I could almost feel Sarah smiling at me as I peeled it off for my collection, grinning and giggling like a crazy thing all the way home ;-)
Gute nacht Sarah!
xxx

Clink...

Lots of hating going on down the alley. Is it like Hyena's who don't have much turf and fight constantly over the small amount they have?
Or is it bad apples and eggs?!

I heard today that DR is going for a Government sponsored holiday. That would explain why he's been going hard and not giving a shit in the process. He's been banned by at least one venue in town for tagging their stairwell (they had fliers with his photo spread around the place) and there was another huge tag on a hallway wall the other day.
It'll be interesting to see if much changes down Lefties with him gone but more interesting is what he'll get up to before he goes. Something tells me he won't put down his cans quietly...

Usual Suspects

You can't really see it, but Kwiva has done this flash as crackle effect with the shadowing. And overall, the paint has this real matt rusty type look to it. It's kinda freaky and not what you're used to seeing on a piece...

Three times in the last week I've been down the alley of a morning and seen men closely inspecting the corner by where Kwiva painted this - with one eye not two if you get.
One was that biker looking poet dude with the Mohawk who rants in Cuba Mall, one was a homeless guy I see all the time, but I almost choked on my Offbeat latte yesterday morning when I sprung one of those guys with the trolley that goes around picking up rubbish and emptying bins.
Funny thing was he zipped up, turned around, got out a broom and cheerfully swept up the rubbish along the walls as if it was a small price to pay for his very own free open air urinal with priceless art all over the walls...

STIX

The above window is what Sin refers to as the Sticker Wall (Window?) of Fame. About now you'll be thinking that the bar anyone has to reach for that fame would be, oh lets see...knee high?! Yeah. To an ant ;-(
It used to be worth the effort to go see. And sometimes we'd see the Gen Pub (and Walkwise) browsing over all the different styles but a month or so ago taggers started spraying over the window and no-one's bothered to put anything up since.

The lack of pasteys and stencils has also been noticeable but I'm thinking that's about to change...

BIG TIME ;-)

DR

One of the odd phenomena I noticed when hanging pieces years ago was that sometimes a painting would be slightly muddy or scattered when viewed up close but at a distance, or when photographed, it was stunning.
As strange as it sounds, I worked out that it had something to do with the artists eyesight. When they painted up close, it looked to them like it looks to us from a distance - no different from taking off your glasses to view it from a distance and seeing something completely different.
When I suspected this, I experimented and did a huge painting without my glasses on and it confirmed my suspicions because, with my glasses on, standing way back from it, it then looked like what it looked like when I was painting it.

My reason for sharing that little insight is that that's the feeling I get with a lot of DR's pieces. I think of his style as naive but I've stopped being surprised that his pieces often look way more spectacular when I've taken an image, edited and published them.
The piece above is a classic example. Technically it's shit. As happens on many of his pieces, he used way thin paint on a dense background that was never going to be covered, but then he ends up with a surreal translucent effect.

I know DR's pieces aren't that polished but they're prolific, so through default, like his work or not, like him or not, this guy has a presence.
In his own words "I am wot I am and I do wot I do"...
I've done a first where I've featured DR today on The Street too, so you can see better examples of what I'm on about.

PS: I heard he had a 40ohzee and an armload of cans the other night so it doesn't take a psychic to guess the upshot of that combo ;-)