I’m sure you’ve noticed the many amazing works of art on the streets these days? It’s hard not to when they are everywhere! Gorgeous works of fine art, and make no mistake that’s what they are, have been popping up in cities around the world. It makes sense! All those blank walls are perfect canvases, creating a world wide, never ending, always evolving art exhibition.
Bumblebeeloves you “Used to Bee” in Seattle, Washington
Table of Contents
Who Is Behind This Worldwide Explosion Of Art?
The more I’ve seen the more I’ve wanted to learn about these artists, some of whom have pieces up around the world. I had questions:
Who are they, and what compels them to create? How did they get their start? Do they have formal training? Do they feel bad when their work is painted over or torn down Were they commissioned, or did they throw it up on the fly? What’s the meaning behind the paintings? Is there one? Do they consider their work graffiti, street art, or just plain art? Is it hard? How do they do it?
The artwork of Karlos Marquez
Meeting the (Street) Artists
Recently I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of these amazing artists, whether it be coming across a work in progress (these murals don’t appear magically), serendipity, a studio visit or at an art show. They’ve all been a real pleasure to meet and in some cases I even had a chance to take photos and ask questions.
The art of WRDSMTH
BumbleBeeLovesYou
The whimsical nature of BumbleeLovesYou‘s art has made him one of my favorite artists, and lucky for me he’s local, so I get to visit his various pieces regularly. His pieces evoke a feeling of childhood innocence, and often include fun little details, like hearts, animals, and flowers.
Girl in a Garden Superba Food and Bread
My initial meeting with BumbleebeeLovesYou came about via social media. I wondered where a certain piece (Take Note pictured below) would end up after its exhibition in Downtown Santa Monica ended. Before I knew it we were direct messaging about the piece coming home with me! Lesson here: It never hurts to ask!
Take Note is 8′ x 28′
I can’t express how excited I was when we actually met! Not only did I end up with a fabulous piece of artwork at my home, but I’ve made a new friend.
I’ve since visited his studio and had the chance to chat with him about his work, but I think this wonderful video tells the story better than I ever could.
Karlos Marquez
I was Introduced to Karlos Marquez’s work through a mutual friend, and was immediately attracted to his combination of street inspired lettering and neon light.
I visited Karlos at his studio in South Central LA where he was gracious enough to show me around and answer my many questions.
In your opinion are street street art and graffiti one and the same?
In my opinion, Street Art” is just a name that has been given to “Graffiti” in the past few years. Its used by galleries, museums and art auctions to label Graffiti.
Graffiti has a negative connotation, and by nature its vandalism plain and simple, so to some its vandalism and to others its art. I think the elite have used the word STREET ART to give it a cool hip name to sell it.
All the large murals you see on th side of buildings today are just that, MURALS. Just because you used spray paint does not make it graffiti.
If you have permission to paint a MURAL on a wall with spray paint and I painted the other side with spray paint without permission they would both still be called STREET ART. Call me old fashioned, but I would rather see good old graffiti done on walls, it is a more raw and free expression of art.
When did your graffiti art move from the street to the studio?
I stopped doing graffiti over 20 years ago and I have been doing studio artwork over 10 years.
What type of artist to you consider yourself?
A visual artist because I like working not just with canvas, but I use all different media to create my artwork. I paint on furniture, sculptures, metal wood, cement, or anytime I can get my hands on.
Karlos will be exhibiting his abstract work at Fathom Gallery in the California Market Center Building located in Downtown Los Angeles on April 28, 2018 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. Unable to make the show? You can learn more about Karlos and his art and where to see it on his website.
WRDSMTH
WRDSMTH refers to himself as a “Writer Doing Time in Hollywood.” His pieces can be found everywhere in Los Angeles, and around the world. It’s his positive and meaningful messages delivered in a simple way that make his work particularly appealing. He really puts himself out there, which is so refreshing since so many of us don’t feel comfortable enough to do such a thing, but wish we could.
Meeting WRDSMTH @ his Solo Show.
I attended his solo show “I’d Like To Have A WRD with You” where we had a chance to meet. Funny enough I was surprised when he introduced himself as Brody. It never occurred to me that he actually had a “real” name. We spoke about his inspiration, much of which comes from personal experiences or favorite songs.
Thinking that his technique must be a closely guarded secret I was delighted to find out that he was taught by another street artist and has been only too happy to pass on the knowledge. Who knows, maybe I’ll ask for a lesson one of these days? As I found out above it never hurts to ask, does it?
The Art of Chase
Chase is a Belgian artist, but has called Los Angeles his home for the past 20 years. I was recently invited to meet him and attended his solo show here in Los Angeles.
Chase’s signature eyeball makes his pieces easy to spot, haha, and there are plenty here in the LA area, especially in Venice Beach.
I’m hoping to catch up with him again soon, and when I do I’ll update this post.
Fanakapan
Okay, Fanakapan isn’t based in LA, but he does have a gorgeous collab piece in Downtown LA, and I can’t write this post without including my meeting with Fanakapan! I’m a big fan of his shiny but photorealistic style and knowing his work can occasionally be seen on London’s Brick Lane, I set out specifically to find one.
4th and Merrick Downtown Los Angeles
Not only did I find one, I found him! As I came around the corner I saw a man painting, and immediately upon seeing the shiny work in progress, I knew it was him. Serendipity!
You might find this hard to believe, but I can occasionally be shy. Not this time! I knew this was probably my one and only chance to speak up.
I’m VERY happy to be meeting Fanakapan on Brick Lane
Graciously taking the time to speak with me, we chatted about his work, the piece he was working on, and his visits to LA. He did tell me his real name, and we took some photos together, but like many street artists Fanakapan prefers not to show his full face online. He gave me permission to post this one with his face partially covered.
The piece he was working on was clearly political. It shows a fox (Trump) holding a dead duck in its mouth with more ducks (Americans) blindly following behind. We found ourselves in the area a few different times and so were able to watch the progression of this piece.
We located one other Fanakapan piece on our trip, also in Shoreditch, but no promises that either of these are still available to view.
Nicky Nailed It
“Nicky” is the most unknown of this bunch. I met him during one morning while on bike ride in Venice Beach. There is hardly a place in LA where you won’t find a Nicky Nailed It, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when I turned around and there he was installing one of his signature pieces, but I was. It was fun hearing about his many adventures, but I’m not sure he plans to do much more with this. His pieces are often found near murals and other works, and I asked if the other artists mind? He says he tries hard to be respectful. I think they do mind. Of all the artists I’ve met his pieces are the only ones that really feel illegal. They are definitely graffiti in the truest sense of the word.
He’s been plastering Nicky around town, and just about everywhere for the past seven years. Now that I’ve introduced him to you I guarantee you will see him EVERYWHERE made of whatever material he can get his hands on. If you’re wondering the stencil is a portrait of him as a child.
6 “Los Angeles” Artists & Where to Find Them
Would you like to visit some of these pieces yourself? This handy map will show you the way to the public pieces that were still available to view when I wrote this post.
This map should get you started, but is by no means a complete list. Each of these artists have multiple pieces around town and the world. Happy hunting, and do let me know if you find a new piece you think I’d like!
Pin for later:
California Globetrotter
Each time you post a piece from Bumblebeelovesyou, I love it more and more! They’re so stinkin’ cute! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
He sells small versions of them occasionally on his website… 😘
Trish @ Mum's Gone To
How wonderful to have your own piece of street art! Such a brilliant piece of work – I can see why you brought that little boy home. I’m fascinated to hear about the other artists too: all so different but each with a message to convey.
One of these days I must come over to California. My husband’s cousin is an artist in LA. We bought one of her paintings and had it shipped to England and yet I still haven’t met her! If ever you come across Andrea Yomtob in an exhibition, send her our love.
#farawayfiles
Hilary
How cool is right! I pinch myself every time I see him! He’s 8 feet tall so that’s often! Ha ha! I’ll definitely look up your cousin and you must come to California! I’ll show you around!!
Beth
Oh wow what a post! I was super intrigued once I started reading your questions at the beginning – the same ones that pop in my head often. Since moving to London I have come to appreciate this all the more and am now keen to keep my eyes on alert for any interesting stuff on walls when we are in cities…knowing very well there is a huge jump from tagging to full-on murals and studio-created work. I really appreciate the time you took to put this all together – between the photos, your interviews and your gutsy move to chat with the artists when you come across their paths. Thanks so much for sharing, I have a few friends I will share this with…. 🙂 #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Thank you! I had this idea and then realized what a huge post it would be… it’s been a lot of fun meeting the artists and I hope to meet more! It’s really inspired me to start making more art myself and of course I love getting out to see what’s new! Oh yes, please do share!!
Clare Thomson
What an amazing piece, Hilary! Those are the questions we all ask ourselves when we see street art and it’s so fantastic to hear what the artists themselves think. I’m sure I’d be gutted if my work was painted over but that’s the ephemeral nature of it, isn’t it? I love all the pieces you’ve highlighted and you’re really inspiring me to go out and find some more for myself. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Thank you! I usually take photos of my favorites and then I’m so grateful I have when I go back and see the pieces are gone.
Janis
What a fantastic post, I love street art, there are so many talented people around. You are so lucky to have met these guys and to have ‘Take Note’ in your garden. Thanks very much for sharing #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you! I was pretty excited meeting them and bringing home the “little” boy!
thewsmblog
really interesting.. glad to paid attention and dug out these fantastic talents.
Hilary
Thank you!
mytripstales
I love street art. This is such a great post, I really like the work of Bumblebeelovesyou and lucky you, you got to take ‘take note’ to your place, making your garden decor so unique and cool. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Thank you so much!! Bumblebeelovesyou is my favorite! I feel incredibly lucky to have one of his pieces in my garden! I’ll confess I also have three small ones inside! He occasionally sells limited edition prints. They’re on a smaller scale! 😘
Esther
I am a HUGE street art fan and love all of these. Thank you for including the map too. This is a wonderful article 🙂
#FarawayFiles
Hilary
I’m so glad you like it! I’m also a huge fan! I know it can be tough to locate the art and wish more people would share the locations!
ushasita
Street art is such an interesting medium of expression and fab piece of art. Fantastic post. I so love the fact you have the little boy at home. My personal favourite are Wrdsmth and Bumblebeelovesyou. It’s a very difficult choice to make. Thank you so much for introducing such wonderful artist and the lovely post. I am new to street art, but I am loving it.#farawayfiles
Hilary
So glad you enjoyed the post! I do love street art, but also wonder about the artists… meeting them was something extra special!
Annabel
Such an interesting post Hilary. I don’t know much about street art and graffiti so this is a brilliant introduction, thank you! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
So glad to introduce you! It’s truly an art form and it’s great that it’s becoming so widely accepted!
Insider Families (@InsiderFamilies)
So interesting! Kudos to you for asking the questions and digging deeper. #FarawayFiles
fifi + hop
I love that you happened to come across some of these artists while in action. There’s no better way to understand a piece of art than to hear it directly from its creator! And I just love that you brought one home to your backyard! #farawayfiles
Hilary
It was pretty awesome! I felt like I was meeting celebrities!
Angela Vincent
This was so interesting Hilary. It’s alwayd fascinating to hear about how artists work and what inspires them. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It sure is! I feel like it brings even more meaning!