For years, graffiti art was viewed as vandalism and an eyesore. Many people saw graffiti as a sign of urban decay, and the public at large didn't like it—neither did city governments.
Graffiti dates back to ancient times, when it was used by rulers and nobles as a means of communication. It was also used to mark territory or to deface enemy property. Graffiti has been found in the ruins of Pompeii and in medieval churches throughout Europe. Ancient Romans used graffiti for political purposes, and it appeared throughout Renaissance art, from Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling to Goya’s satirical works on sexual mores.
Let’s get one thing clear: “street art” is about more than painting murals. In a broad sense, it refers to all the many different kinds of art that take place in public spaces. This can include everything from public art and public sculpture (think Michelangelo’s David), to street musicians and buskers, to performance art in public spaces—and so on.
Yarn bombing (sometimes called “knitting graffiti”) involves crocheting or knitting yarn around objects that are found in urban landscapes, such as lamp posts or signposts. Sand art is an ecological form of street art that uses completely biodegradable materials like sand, leaves and flowers. Sticker art involves putting stickers up with a message; the object here is to get people thinking about the message—to start a conversation. Electronic billboards and LED signs are also considered forms of street art.
As street art becomes more mainstream, the range of artists who turn to it as their mode of expression continues to expand. Street art can now be defined as anything from a political mural to an installation piece. Some street artists may focus on the act of spray painting itself; others may use their work as a platform for a performance. With street art's definition growing ever wider, so too does its ability to attract a diverse cast of creatives.
If you’re a fan of Banksy, you’ve probably noticed that street art has been gaining mainstream popularity. While graffiti artists have traditionally remained anonymous and underground, some have been able to turn their art into mainstream careers. With the help of this growing attention, graffiti artists are being paid to create commissioned works for private collectors as well as more publicly on buildings in urban areas.
As technology has evolved, so have the ways in which street artists create and market their work. Digital platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, have become critical to making street art more accessible to the public—but they are also helping to grow the medium itself.
Thanks to social media, for example, street artists don't need to rely on physical graffiti or wheat paste posters to promote themselves. With a simple post on Instagram or Facebook, an artist can quickly reach a local or global audience.
Also, apps like Adobe Photoshop enable an artist to digitally edit their work before displaying it publicly. This means that the art can be tweaked or changed even after it's been posted on the wall of a building. As mobile devices become ubiquitous throughout urban areas of the world (thanks in part to wireless internet), we can expect that more and more street art will be edited using digital tools like Photoshop and others still being created as you read this article
Street art is a wonderful, vibrant addition to our cityscape. The often elaborate murals exploding across the sides of buildings in recent years have provided us with a visual feast. Many of these artworks are not only beautiful but also inspirational; some even convey an important social message.
However, the legality of street art can be complicated because it's often illegal. Street artists may argue that their art is protected by free speech laws, but the Supreme Court has actually ruled that creativity and artistic expression can be regulated if they're conducted on public property without proper authorization. In other words, when you put your artwork on someone else's wall without their consent, you're engaging in vandalism and trespassing — both crimes — and there are no exceptions for artistry or creativity."
In addition to supporting the arts in your community by attending art events or buying local art, you could also join your local arts council. An arts council is an organization that aims to promote the arts and provide resources for artists. Arts councils are typically funded through grants, sponsorships, and donations from individuals and businesses
As an individual who is passionate about street art, joining your local arts council is a great way to support street art in your community. You can find out about local artists and events relating to street art. Joining an arts council also provides a great opportunity for you to get involved in relevant community projects. Plus, it provides a great way for you to network with other people in the community who share your love of street art. Being involved with your local arts council will give you a good feel for how involved the greater community is in supporting artistic endeavors like street art
Corey Wesley is a bit of an entrepreneur! How do I know this? Because he influenced me to write this copy, after reading his blog post about a "no-brainer" topic like creating good content.
To some, it's the "tagging" and scribbles on the sides of buildings that local governments deem vandalism. But to others (like Wesley), graffiti is a form of art. "Graffiti and street art is a form of expression," he says. "It's a way for an artist to express themselves, their feelings — whatever they want people to see."
However, this misunderstanding between the two groups has resulted in many artists keeping their work under wraps. So finding artists was one challenge Wesley had to overcome while starting his business.
But now that he's been running online galleries for almost two years, Wesley found out another issue: Many people don't think graffiti or street art can be beautiful or valuable. At least not until they find out how much it costs!
That said, by educating his audience about what makes these works so special (and why they're worth investing in), Wesley hopes more people will realize that some graffiti and street art can be art and not just urban vandalism.
Wesley went to college for communications but left after two years, and moved to Chicago for four years only to come back to New York City. Wesley's decision to drop out of college was not an easy one, but Wesley felt it was the best thing for him at the time. After years in Chicago, he wanted to be in New York City with his friends and family so he could pursue his dream of being a curator. When asked about leaving school, Wesley explained that having your friends and family around you is more important than what people think.
You don't have to be a statistician or the CEO of a large corporation to know that the odds of becoming one of the few minority-owned businesses that thrive in New York City are low. Yet, despite these odds, curatorial director and art dealer Corey Wesley has made it work. The success of his business has brought him more than money; it has allowed him to build a community in which he can support other black artists and art enthusiasts, who often feel isolated by a culture they love but find themselves pushed out of. "I think my biggest problem is that I still haven't built enough of a community," laments Wesley. "I'm trying to do things where we can all make good money together."
It is often defined as any painting, sculpture, or graffiti put on public spaces for the purpose of public appreciation. The artists don't get paid for their work, and it goes up in cities around the world, from New York and London to Thailand and Brazil. That's why it's also often called "urban art."
The artist Banksy is probably everyone's favorite street artist. You may have heard that he recently set up a shop in New York City. It was pretty meta: The shop sold paintings that were painted by him, but they were all unsigned. Many people lined up to buy them, never knowing that they were getting something made by Banksy himself!
Another famous street artist who works under an alias is "Invader," a Frenchman who draws pixelated aliens inspired by the video game Space Invaders on walls across big cities around the world. He usually puts them in high places so they are difficult to reach without some climbing equipment.
Be sure to check out the online store that bears the Milton Wes name. This retailer has built a reputation for selling graffiti and street art at affordable prices, and it continues to expand by adding new designs every month. Here you can purchase canvas art, framed prints, books, clothing, accessories, and much more. With all the different styles of artwork available on the Milton Wes website, it's easy to find what suits your taste best.
The brand is known for its vibrant colors and bold prints that appeal to those who prefer not less conventional home decorating options than what they might find elsewhere. The focus on affordability ensures that everyone can buy something from this shop without feeling like they're breaking the bank when making an aesthetic decision about their living space.
Think about what you want the room to feel like.
If you want it to feel invigorated and lively, a brightly painted piece might work well. If the room is already full of color, maybe a more neutral piece would be better. If you have dark furniture and are looking for something more subdued, maybe a darker painting will suit your needs better.
Each room should be individually assessed. Don't forget to consider the mood of the room, what will balance the furniture and color scheme, and most importantly, your personal style. Art is an investment in your home and your happiness. If you choose something that doesn't resonate with you or match the mood of another piece in the room, it can look out of place. If you choose something that has a similar feel to the rest of what's on display, your art will fit right into its home - which could be a great way to add diversity to a space.
Before you dive into your online shopping cart, take a look around the room where you imagine hanging the piece. What are the predominant colors already present? How do they make you feel? Do you want to add another color to the mix, or would you like a more monochromatic look? If so, consider searching for artwork in complementary shades (opposite on the color wheel) that will contrast with existing patterns and hues. You can also search for art in analogous shades (next to each other on the color wheel), which is great if you want your art piece to blend in seamlessly.
Choosing art for your home is a fun process, but it can also be overwhelming. There are so many options out there that sometimes you don’t know where to start! To help make the process easier, here’s a checklist of considerations to think about when selecting what will grace your walls:
Next comes the frame. Frames look great and they do protect your artwork when hanging it on the wall, however, there are a few things to consider. First, let’s consider the size of the artwork and how this will relate to the frame. You can use a smaller or larger frame for effect, but generally, pick a size that is close to or slightly bigger than your piece. If you have an abstract print of blue and green colors, then you will want to think about getting a frame in one of those colors as well. If you have an art nouveau piece with lots of ornate design elements then you will want to pick a more ornate frame. It’s really up to you and what works best for the overall look that you are trying to achieve depending on the style of your home.
Materials vary greatly when it comes to frames as well; some materials go better with certain types of artwork than others. For example, wood frames tend to be more rustic in nature so this would probably not be ideal for contemporary style prints; however, if you had a large painting of flowers or another type of floral art it might work very well indeed! A metal frame might work better for something like abstract art since it doesn’t have any real subject matter that needs highlighting by using certain materials over others (or at least none more than anything else). Check out some examples below:
The first thing you should do is spend some time in your space, deciding what feels right. If you have a lot of natural light, consider art with rich colors so it will pop against the warm tones of the sun. If your kitchen has cool blue countertops, go with a piece of art that has warm colors to create harmony and balance. If you need something to really draw attention to an area, like a large wall or bookcase, consider a bright statement piece that is visually bold. This can be anything from an abstract painting to colorful photography--just make sure it stands out!
Another way to pick out great artwork for any room in your home is by incorporating pieces into existing decor items like pillows or rugs; this helps create cohesion between different areas while still maintaining each item's unique qualities. The key here is finding pieces that complement each other without being too similar!
If you've just hung a piece of art on the wall, you might be thinking – did I hang it flat against the wall? Will the piece be straight and aligned? Does it look alright? Chances are you had no idea if your artwork was hung correctly. We all tend to hang our artworks with the hope that they'll be aligned straight against the wall. But unfortunately, that's not always the case.
First, gather all the tools you need. You'll need a hammer and nails. You can find these at your local hardware store. While you're there, also get some wall hangers that match the size of your artwork—make sure to measure first! If you have any leftover tools (like screws or anchors), store them safely in a toolbox. It's always good to keep spare tools around.
Now, get everything ready for hanging on the wall. To avoid getting hurt, make sure there aren't any kids or pets around who could bump into you while you're working with heavy equipment! Also mind your own safety by wearing protective gear like work gloves and glasses if necessary. This way, even if something does go wrong and an accident occurs, you won't be injured!
Next, you need to hang the picture on the wall. I like to choose two separate points over my picture, one at each end, to hook up my picture. I then pick up a hammer and a few nails and mark the points on the wall where I want to hang my hooks.
Now that your points are marked, go ahead and hammer them in. You’ll notice that these aren’t regular nails though—they have a little hook at the top of them. This is what you will use to hang your artwork later on! If you don’t see any hooks in the hardware store when you go looking for this type of nail, just ask for some “hanger wire."
There's nothing quite like hanging your art right where you want it. Not only will it make your home look and feel more personal, but you'll also have the satisfaction that comes from hanging a piece correctly.
Before taking a step back to admire your work, make sure the artwork is hung straight and level with the use of Crescent Creative Products Perfect Pro Picture Hanging Tool with Level that is designed to help you do exactly that. Also take a moment to check for another common problem: If the frame isn't hanging at eye level, you may find yourself straining to see it or not even noticing it at all!
Next, make sure you are using the right kind of hook for your wall type. If you are hanging something on drywall, use a drywall screw and anchor. Tap the anchor into the wall, then screw in the hook. If you’re hanging something on plaster or lath, use a toggler bolt. Drill a hole in the wall that is slightly smaller than your toggler bolt, then insert it into the hole and tighten it until it expands behind the wall.
If you’re not sure whether your walls are drywall or plaster/lath, look at them closely: if they have horizontal seams that look like thin lines of caulking between strips of wood or metal, you have plaster and lath walls (this is less common nowadays).
To hang your artwork, you will need a set of tools and materials. These include a hammer, nails, wall hooks, a drill and screws, picture hanging wire, art hanging hardware (such as D-rings or sawtooth hangers), a picture hanging kit (which includes everything you need to hang one or more frames on the wall), picture hanging strips (a pre-attached adhesive strip that can be mounted directly onto the frame backing) or even just an old towel to cover up any leftover mess from previous DIY projects!
In addition to basic tools like these, which should already be in your toolbox if not purchased separately from the store beforehand:
A tape measure for measuring distances between holes on different walls
A laser level so there won't be any major discrepancies when it comes time to put up that first piece of art
The last thing you need is an assistant to help you hold up your piece of art! Even for larger pieces, enlisting a friend to help out is a much better option than hiring someone. Not only does it save money and make the experience more personal, but having a good friend with you can make hanging artwork together a fun event. The benefits of having an extra pair of hands are numerous:
Once you have the right tools, hanging artwork can be easy. All you have to do is take your time and follow these four steps:
