Picture by: Vincent Ramos- retrieved from Wikimedia commons
In this blog, we’ve talked a lot about street art, and its importance around the world. You’ve commented about your personal opinion and how you view it. Now, you’re probably wondering “how could I be a street artist of my own?”. In this article, you’re going to learn how some artists started and how you can start.
In the first place, we have Banksy, and although his identity remains a secret we know that he started as a freehand artist and eventually started to develop his own signature style. The main reason Banksy is known as one of the main figures in this type of art is his simplicity that contrasts his strong statements. See, you don’t have to create ultra-complex images in order to say something. Banksy explained to the Village People newspaper that his intention was just to say something: “The plan is to live here, react to things, see the sights — and paint on them. Some of it will be pretty elaborate, and some will just be a scrawl on a toilet wall." (Banksy, 2013)
"Smile" by Banksy- retrieved from Recreoviral
In this painting by Banksy called “Smile” with just the repetition of the smiley faces with a white background, Banksy aims to represent the reality of publicity and how they promise us happiness contrasted by the cruel reality of the old man that is sad next to the images. In this artist's case simplicity but with a strong background is the key.
Heading to other, and much different styled, artists we have Lee Quiñones. The Puerto Rican based in New York City started the worldwide trend of painting in the subway wagons in the 70s. He was a natural-born artist, raised in a humble family, he used to paint whatever he could where he could and eventually started to love the signature bubble letters he would later use in the train graffiti. What inspired this artist to paint in the trains was that he couldn't stand the monotony of the gray and brown trains, and as he was always a rebel soul… What makes Quiñones unique and moved him was not a political statement but a free spirit move: a need for expression.
Unknown train by Lee Quiñones in the 70s- Retrieved from Brooklyn street art
This train shows the emblematic “Lee” in 3D letters that were all over the NY subway trains: “Within a two-year span from 1972 to 1974, the art went from little mosquito bites to full-on color sieges of entire subway cars. They (the authorities) didn’t know what to do. Where are these kids doing this? How? When?.. But we had it down” (Lee, 2019)
So now that you’ve read about these street art giants you probably realized the key and the main factor to be a street art artist: your own motive. Banksy had the “guerrilla” motive, Quiñones had the “freedom motive”. Now, what’s your motive? When you have it figured out, start gathering different materials to see which one you feel more comfortable with. Now comes the hard part: practice, practice, and more practice. And also, don’t forget to choose the right spot. Remember that in some places it’s illegal to paint on private property, so check with your local authorities if there’s a designated area to paint. Now you have all the ingredients! Now you just need to pull it together, get some inspiration and you are good to go. Don't forget to check our blog (if you haven't) to get new ideas and learn more about the artists in street art.
Good luck with your art!
Note: The writer of this article is no expert on the subject, if you see something wrong, contact us and we'll be happy to correct it!
References:
- Moriente, D. (2015) De vándalo a artista: Banksy. Universidad Internacional de Catalunya
- Sante, L. (2019), Lee quiñones by Luc Sante, Bombmagazine (https://bombmagazine.org/articles/lee-quinones/ )
- Cue, E. (2014) Vida de Banksy y mejores obras, Alejandra de Agos, https://www.alejandradeargos.com/index.php/es/completas/32-artistas/291-banksy-biografia-obras-y-exposiciones
- Biography.com editors, (2014) Banksy biography. https://www.biography.com/artist/banksy
- A. Daniel (2020), 21 obras urbanas de Banksy y su significado https://www.recreoviral.com/fotografia/bansky-mejores-obras-urbanas/
-Artists BCA, (2014) Lee Quiñones art ,Artists BCA, http://www.brooklynstreetart.com/tag/lee-quinones/
- Jenkins, M. (2017) A beginners guide for street art, Blue thumb,https://bluethumb.com.au/blog/artists/beginners-guide-street-art/
-Javier, (2020) How to do street art, Cooltourspain https://cooltourspain.com/how-to-do-street-art/
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