OUIJA – I started writing in 1995, so that would be 25 years. I’m originally from a suburb of Hartford, Connecticut, lived in Denver from 2009 to 2014, then moved to Albany, New York, where I live now.
My early graffiti influences were probably the same as everyone else coming up in the mid-late 90’s. The local scene was the primary contributor, particularly the people I painted with. For me, especially during the 2000’s, my crew was very tight and we bounced a lot of ideas off each other, painted together all the time, and sharpened each other up collectively.
I most admire writers like Geser, Emit, Joker, Burie, Limer, Kem, Jive and East. The list could really be 200 names long, because there’s so many great writers these days. I’m constantly amazed by someone I’d never heard of, glad to see a “retired” writer drop a new piece, or just be amazed at the legends that have been killing it for decades.
I guess my style is eclectic. I don’t like to paint the same thing over and over, and I enjoy a lot of different styles from all parts of the world. I guess I subconsciously grab little things I like from here and there, then work those vague concepts into something that’s sort of my own. After so many years, you do start to develop habits and techniques that create a personal style. For example, I basically only use NY Fats and those yellow universal caps, and it’s been that way for at least a decade. I think the characteristics of those caps makes me paint the way I do, they’re the caps that suit my painting style the best, or a combination of both.
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