Some street art can be incredibly powerful.
Graffiti is a very controversial art form. The scrawling of names, logos or images on public or private property is, essentially, a type of vandalism and is punishable by law. However, if the property owner grants permission, the graffiti artist can be one of the most powerful creators in contemporary art. Modern street art dates from the 1960s and, if done right, can produce artworks of great value. Those who are serious about graffiti need to find ways to make their murals completely unique.
Instructions
1. Ask for permission to paint and mark the property. This is the single most important part of any graffiti project; failure to do so could have serious legal consequences--including jail time. In 2009, the Web site Graffiti News reported how 18-year-old Sebastian Perez was initially sentenced to eight years in state prison for admitting to a string of graffiti vandalism offenses.
2. Sketch out a plan. If you do not own the property, but have permission from the property owner, draw up a plan of your intended mural and show it to him beforehand. After the owner has seen the plan, ask him to sign and date it; this will stop any misunderstandings or complications that could arise later.
3. Find a community art program. Some city councils have sites dedicated to public art, which could be a great place to start if you don't have the chance to work on private property. To learn whether your city has any of these areas, contact the city or town officials directly.
Be Artistic, Not Territorial
4. Consider your message. Much of the anger over graffiti comes from its use to mark gangland territories. If you truly want to make your street art your own, think about what it is saying.
5. Paint a story, never just "tag" an art space. The majority of graffiti artists simply spray their name or a pseudonym onto a wall. With little else to go on, anyone who sees these tags will not know to whom or what they're referring, and simply ignore the art. If your art is used to just claim an area as your own, then people will be turned-off by it, and never engage with it. However, to create graffiti murals that will be remembered, compose something that tells a story or highlights an injustice.
6. Create something confrontational, not threatening. Graffiti has been used to challenge authority for thousands of years. Rebecca Benefiel, assistant professor of Classics at Washington and Lee University, has documented how ancient versions of the art from can be found in the ruins of Pompeii.
Think Outside the Box
7. Make your art quirky. If you truly want to make your graffiti your own, then you need to be original. The work of British graffiti artist Banksy is instantly recognizable thanks to his innovative use of card stencils. Create your own artistic style, and you will truly be unique.
8. Use application methods other than spray cans. Everyone equates street art with spray cans, but there's no rule that says this is the only way to paint graffiti. Paint with brushes or rollers to create a completely novel approach.
9. Choose an unusual subject matter. Typically, graffiti deals with the serious themes of public inequality and unrest, but you could try something new. Try to make something humorous or satirical. The whole point of street art is that it catches the viewers off guard. Try to hit them with something to make them think or smile while they are on their way to work or walking to the store.
10. Design a unique signature. If you sign each of your drawings with your own signature, people will be able to recognize your work. A memorable signature will stick in people's memories and truly make your graffiti your own.
