A collection of stencil patterns that appeared recently on the streets. I do love patterns and these are so complex that they are almost visually overwhelming. They’re almost opt art with the way the grid is cut through with the arc — all with the same color. Perhaps they’re a reimagining of a cross walk graphic with a walk and wander motif interspersed. It certainly would be very tedious to cut this stencil by hand, so it could be 3D printed or cut via a CAD system.

Sadly though, I think they’re a promo for a new jewelry store and not the random artistic expression that I prefer. If it is an ad campaign, it’s still a bit risky as there’s no call to action, no identifier and no contact info. But I guess that’s the nature of guerilla advertising.

Since the patterns are unsigned and for the time being, not identified with a particular brand, there a nice compliment to the streets. Finding one and then another, sent me on a scavenger hunt for more which is great thing to bring to the streets. Bring on the decoration, bring on the art, bring on more sidewalk stencils.

Midtown, Manhattan.

It’s always nice to find street art in a neighborhood filled with high end art galleries. A good sized stencil piece tucked inside a loading dock reminiscent in subject matter of that other famous, shall not be identified street artist. Plus, the bonus of people being moved enough by it to contribute their own messages.

Chelsea, Manhattan.

Sometimes you have to look up. Sometimes you have to look down. As a follow up to the original star I found last year, I just found the whole family rising up across the night (sidewalk) sky. Based on the location, I’m pretty sure it’s a new stencil and not an update where the three smaller ones were added to the original. Still love the pixel art, still makes me think of Space Invaders and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. More sidewalk decorations please.

Midtown, Manhattan.

Another photo from England: this time a stone pillar in an alley between the high street and the back of the shops. Your eye is immediately caught by the storm trooper stencil, but more and more is revealed as you look closer. The caricature at the top is quite striking. There’s a realism and emotion along with a cartoon style. Finally, you start to see the messages scratched into the surface. It seems to be a common post for sounding off on the popular conspiracies of the day. It’s also an example of one of my favorite bits of graffiti in the public square — a dialog.

Cotswalds, England

Back from holiday and it seems like Midtown has a new logo. Or a new advertising campaign. One can never be sure these days. It is a very clean stencil though and that’s not easy to do. The monogram is also very nice. It’s an obvious nod to the Yankees monogram which itself has moved well beyond sports identity to a clear New York City logo recognized around the world. It’s even surpassed the state’s I ♥️ NY logo from Milton Glaser. I don’t think this one will rise to the heights of those renown logos, but it is a nice bit of typographic illustration and painting.

Midtown, Manhattan.

A fresh stencil from the sidewalks of Manhattan. I do love stencils although the cynical side of me thinks this might be part of some advertising campaign. Let’s hope it’s just the exuberance of a local artist instead. A kind of mantra for perseverance.

Midtown, Manhattan.

A little star of pixelated art on the sidewalk. No reference that I can recall, but it does feel quite familiar. Maybe it’s just a Space Invaders flashback. I do love pixel art, so it’s nice to see it show up on the streets. It also reminds me of the Moonites from one of my favorite cartoons: Aqua Teen Hunger Force — but friendly and not as arrogant.

Midtown, Manhattan.