The Art of Spray Paint: Breaking Down Stereotypes and Embracing Creativity
is a love letter documenting my murals, and community partnerships. Please enjoy!
I delve into the creative renaissance sparked by the discovery of spray paint's boundless potential among the younger generation.
My mural titled Maštíŋčala (Rabbit Hare) for the Food Distribution Center in Eagle Butte, SD as part of Red Can 2023 hosted by The Cheyenne River Youth Project.
When asked why I choose spray paint as my medium, the answer can be as brief as it is straightforward: it's the quickest way to put paint where it ain't. But this response, while succinct, only scratches the surface of my deeper connection with spray paint. On the surface it’s a really efficient art tool. Spray paint comes in a wide range of colors and finishes. It can create bold, vibrant colors and you’re able to work quickly switching out colors as you need them. Where you have to mix paint and worry about brush clean up, all the colors you need are self contained in a tiny can.
Spray paint can be applied quickly and efficiently, allowing artists to create large-scale works in a relatively short amount of time compared to brushes. It also allows for precise control; artists can create intricate designs and patterns using a variety of techniques, from stenciling to freehand with interchangeable caps. Its versatility lies in its ability to cover a variety of surfaces, including concrete, metal, and wood. Many brands are extremely durable with colors lasting 10+ years with added UV coating. This makes it a great medium for creating lasting large scale public art.
But in reality, I view spray paint as more than just an efficient tool for artistic creation; it's a powerful instrument for community beautification through visual storytelling. Spray paint, in all its versatility and vibrancy, offers a unique creative avenue. Yet, to fully grasp its significance, we must journey back to its unconventional origins, which continue to influence how we perceive this art form today.
Mural by Stevie Shao & Angelina Villalobos side by side on 3rd and Pike, one of the most infamous intersections of downtown Seattle as part of a recent beautification project by The Downtown Seattle Association.
Spray paint art emerged from a world where resources were often scarce. Artists had to adapt, finding innovative ways to transform their ideas into tangible forms. Spray paint became a beacon of hope, a tool that helped overcome the obstacles posed by limited supplies. It's a symbol of resilience, turning adversity into artistry.
Think back to the 80’s when graffiti as we know it first made its appearance by black and brown youth from historically overlooked communities. It became a huge sensation and people from all over embraced this new art form. Over on the West Coast Chicano communities used spray paint to continue the legacy of muralism from influences like the Farmworkers Union murals of the 60’s. Spray paint for the first time allowed people to utilize its technology to be their voice. This is what they had access to in terms of art making even though they might not have thought of it as revolutionary at the time. Art therefore became not just for the privileged but for everyone.
Fast forward to today where we use spray paint to create large scale works of art in new and innovative ways that are far more accessible to everyone. Whether it be tags, gang graffiti, or murals we can’t deny this is now a permanent staple in the art world. Now, with all this being said, no wonder it has negative connotations, but I want to collectively change this.
Spray paint has allowed artists to experiment with different techniques and styles, from abstract expressionism to photorealism. It encourages creative experimentation that continues to evolve to this day. In the 80’s when domestic brand spray paint companies learned artists were using their paint for graffiti they immediately took to discouraging this by politically campaigning and lobbying for harsh punishments and changing the way the product works. I won’t name names, but you can guess who. This is one of the main reasons European brands are light years ahead of the domestic markets, they saw graffiti as a gateway to a new art renaissance instead of an illegality.
Be Your Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams Mural for El Sueñito which means ‘Little Dream’. “The name holds a lot of intentional meaning to us: it highlights our cultural connection to Spanish & Mexico and it speaks to our dream of creating this space for community in the PNW.” - Osbaldo Hernandez (co-owner)
For me, spray paint transcends its physical form; it becomes a means of telling compelling stories through visuals. I see spray paint as a powerful language that surpasses boundaries, speaking to people on a visceral level.
However, the legacy of spray paint art is not without its challenges. Old stereotypes linger, casting a shadow over this vibrant form of expression. These stereotypes often lead viewers to focus more on the medium's unconventional nature than on the message it conveys. This is a hurdle we must overcome, for the essence of art lies in its ability to communicate, not in the tools it employs.
Flint Mural Project 2020 mural for Genesee County Habitat for Humanity titled 3 Dragons.
To fully appreciate spray paint art, we need to peel away the layers of preconceived notions and see it for what it truly is—an evocative medium that bridges the gap between imagination and reality. It's about breathing life into ideas, making the intangible tangible, and leaving an indelible mark on our surroundings.
Short of saying spray paint helped ignite a new culture of public art, there are resources within the community that are indicative of a movement. My favorite online graffiti store Art Primo’s core value is “With every revolution, there’s an artistic movement.” and I feel this to my core. Educational institutions and nonprofits now exist utilizing spray paint as a means to teach youth about art and community building. Graffiti itself, along with skateboarding is one of the only things youth actively teach and learn from each other. It is a language in of their own. Finally, we can’t discount the inclusion and participation of graffiti as an element within Hip Hop culture.
2018 Whole Women’s Health Welcome Mural in Fort Worth, TX sponsored by Shout Your Abortion. This site is one of the only family planning and abortion clinics in all of Texas. Learn more.
While someone might want to create art with spray paint because it offers speed, control, and versatile possibilities, it's a medium people that historically have been excluded from fine art circles had to create work when there was little opportunity for them to do so. It’s since been the voice for many communities.
In essence, my choice to use spray paint is a tribute to its transformative power, its ability to transcend limitations, and its capacity to enrich our lives with vibrant stories told one can at a time. It's a medium that allows me to paint not just on walls but on the canvas of our collective experiences. Therefore, it just made sense that I, as a second generation awkward Latine youth gravitated toward spray paint as my medium of choice. I’ve learned that my art has the ability to touch others in ways I wouldn’t be able to communicate on my own. I’ve realized that my art breathes joy, life, and hope to communities that choose me to bless the walls in their neighborhoods and buildings and that is truly an honor. I also recognize that by acknowledging the history of the work that I’m doing, it’s my responsibility to pass the knowledge to the artists that will follow in my footsteps.
RedCan, the exclusive graffiti jam in Eagle Butte, SD, holds a special place in my heart. In my second year, I find joy in supporting the community through my art. It's more than painting; it's a unique space where I help The Cheyenne River Youth Project participants and beautiful member explore graffiti as a form of self-expression and community building.
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In joyful creation,
Angelina V.
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