THE VALUE OF ART. AND WHAT IT SHOWS US ABOUT RISK AND REWARD.
Dedicated to the mystery graffiti artist.
Thank you for the platform.
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I have a mural in Richmond, VA.
on the side of a restaurant- FOO DOG.
shout out to that restaurant. their ramen (add an egg). and the Hey Joe (delicious drink).
I designed the dining room but also have two murals on the outside of the building.
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My rant is about the value of art.
and mostly about respecting YOURSELF as an artist.
It parallels respecting your potential. In life.
So. this is not just for people who consider art their career. their calling. their blood.
It's what I talk about all the time - but theres more reason to do so today because look
I am interested in graffiti.
It can be beautiful.
I will admit my eyes welled up a little bit.
only because this mural happened at an important time in my life and represents a season for me.
so for a second, the graffiti hurt me.
I may not know your face, but I know how tall you are. sorry. this is so funny to me.
but here are some fun additional thoughts that come to mind
inspired by a little scribble
~as it pertains to life- GET SCAFFOLDING. or like in my situation someone saw me on a ladder and got some for me. if you cant ignore a limitation on your own find a team of people who believe in the crazy thing you are aspiring to do. if you are alone. think of the wildest alternative to the limitation and you know what- TRY IT. you may be the only one.
~EXPAND YOUR MATERIALS. try new things.
challenge yourself a little.
if everyone is using spray paint. in life- use materials no one else is. maybe your message is similar to someone else's but the new perspective could be pivotal in how your message is received.
~STAND OUT. a scribble could be anyone's. find your own style. This doesnt mean you cant learn from other artists or people and reference them. Thats smart. do that.
~GET BEHIND MEANING NOT COMPETITION. This is off subject slightly but artists compete too much. all kinds of us. we should be working with, not against. and if you value your work and what you are doing- you arent going to miss out or lose an opportunity.
~DONT BE A JERK :).
~RESPECT WORK (ART). You make art look silly when you just color on someone elses.
design and art is worth someone paying. dont undersell the power of art.
~DONT PUSH SOMEONE ELSES CASTLE OF BLOCKS DOWN. it is not cool to go around in the night and ruin something someone else worked hard to make.
to be vulnerable.
is an adrenaline rush.
~take a risk. one that means you could win something or lose something. if you lose you have the experience. you learned something. maybe you cried or screamed or hurt. but feeling those things means you are alive.
if you win...
sigh.
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thank you for the chance to reflect on some things!
I am going to fix that mural tomorrow.
today I felt like writing about it.
