Oh to be nineteen again. Oh wait, nineteen and angry? Maybe not. There’s a bit of 1950’s nostalgia in this character. The line work in the eyes and nose remind me of those “learn to draw comics” advertisements with a reference guide to facial expressions. I do appreciate the stylized (and accessible!) numeral one as well. There’s a fluidity to the numbers that is almost an italic form.

Midtown, Manhattan.

I’m not sure if it’s a New York thing or not, but I love that small business owners have artists paint the sides of their trucks with absolutely outlandish graffiti scenes. These panel trucks roam the city with just some hand applied vinyl lettering on the cab doors with the business name, address and phone number. (No website, never.) Meanwhile, the rest of the truck is completely covered in an unrelated piece of art. I like to imagine a giant nigh time parking lot filled with a gallery of panel truck masterpieces quietly sleeping. Upon waking they bump and stumble out to spread across the city, double parking for brief moments of revelation.

As to why this phenomenon occurs, I’m guessing this the old school tactic of embracing the “vandals” rather than fighting them. Just give the kids a chance already. And honestly, it’s a much better form of advertising. Home made, personal and unique.

Midtown, Manhattan.

A message from the street to add a bit of perspective to our lives. Is the message trite? Perhaps, but a reminder is often necessary when the world narrows our vision. The traffic cone adds a new level of context as “under construction” is often a permanent condition.

Chelsea, Manhattan.

A wonderful example of taking cues from the environment to tell a story. Seeing what others may miss and expressing it in a new way. We tell our stories every day and leave them open to interpretation. I’m choosing to see this one as inspirational. Don’t give up!

Chelsea, Manhattan.

A small worn sticker found stuck to a railing on the west side. It’s almost invisible with the silver metallic base on the metal railing. The blend kind of echoes the all lowercase sans serif lettering and rounded corners. It is unimposing in its presentation and quietly powerful in its message.

Midtown, Manhattan.

Here’s a piece I’ve been trying to capture for a while, but it’s been obscured. They finally moved all the construction materials and it was revealed in the spring sun. Striking colors with the gradient and dots adding detail and personality. Plus the highlights adding shine make it a top notch piece of work.

Midtown, Manhattan.

Found this beautiful old paste up from Dylan Egon that strikes so many chords with me. Which chords? It’s black and white with simple, clean lines. It’s full of small symbolic details that many will not understand. It’s political and cultural. It’s provocative, but the edge is offset by her calm expression. The Latin on the gun seems to have gotten overlapped when the sheet was applied, but it reads, “silentium est aureum” or “silence is golden”. This is a piece I wish I had drawn and now, I wish was on my wall.

Based on the handwritten graffiti, it also strikes a reaction in others as well.

Midtown, Manhattan.