Graffiti Art

The Paint Shop

April 22, 2011
By Emily Green
Categories: Creative Inspiration, Drew Brophy, Graffiti Art, Painting, Surf Art, The Paint Shop

New reality show invites you into the colorful world
of surf artist Drew Brophy

At first, Drew Brophy didn?t want his own television show, but after a little nudging from Maria Brophy, his promoter, manager, and wife of 11 years, he agreed to share his unique brand of eclectic surf art with, potentially, millions of viewers.

What sets The Paint Shop apart from the onslaught of reality television currently dominating the airwaves, however, is Drew?s educational approach, colorful designs, and surfer attitude. That and there?s no drama?the main ingredient in most other reality shows.

?We keep the negative drama out of it,? says Maria. ?The downside is that our ratings will never be as high as Jersey Shore, but we want to show people that they can design a lifestyle where they are doing what they love for a living. We want people to see that it?s possible!?

And this wave-riding couple is doing just that. Along with their 9-year-old son, Dylan, the Brophys live and work in the beautiful seaside town of San Clemente, California, where the majority of the show is shot. From his studio, Drew walks viewers through some of his more interesting commissioned projects?from initial design to finished work of art. Whether he?s painting screamin? skulls on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle or installing abstract art in a hotel, he?s having a blast?and rockin? out while he?s doing it. But the best part of the show is seeing the customers? enthusiastic reactions when they first see how Drew has transformed their humdrum surfboard or bike helmet into a colorful work of art that?s sure to get noticed. After all, the Brophys are in the business of making people happy.

The fourth episode of The Paint Shop will begin airing in a couple of weeks, and Maria says it?s the ?most colorful one yet!? In this episode, Drew and tattoo artist Mark Longnecker take a street-art tour of Los Angeles, paint the exteriors of some vans alongside a few famous graffiti artists, and complete the show with a tattoo demonstration.

Maria said the show has opened a lot of doors for Drew?s business. They currently are in discussions with some major television networks and hope to see the show broadcast nationally in the near future. For now, The Paint Shop can be viewed locally in Southern California or online. Visit http://www.thepaintshop.tv for air times.

Drew Brophy and his family with painted van The Dream Machine

Drew Brophy and his family with painted van The Dream Machine

Drew, Maria,
and Dylan Brophy in
front of their
?Dream Machine.? Photo (c) Michael R. Foley.

To learn how to create some of Drew?s in-your-face designs,
check out How to Draw with Drew Brophy.

The City of Murals: Philadelphia Gives Graffiti Artists a Positive Way to Channel Their Creativity

March 28, 2011
By Emily Green
Categories: Creative Inspiration, Graffiti Art, Public Art Programs

Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode had a unique solution to the rampant graffiti that was decimating his city back in 1984: Give the vandals a positive way to channel their creativity.

The Anti-Graffiti Network was born. It hired muralist Jane Golden to reach out to those responsible for defacing Philadelphia’s buildings and alleyways and encourage them to decorate the urban landscape with organized murals instead. Golden successfully forged a relationship with the graffiti community and gave its members opportunities to take part in creating expansive murals that beautified their neighborhoods.

Since its inception, this grassroots program—now called the Mural Arts Program—has contributed to more than 3,000 murals adorning the city of Philadelphia. These murals created by at-risk youth convey Philadelphia’s history, character, and notable figures. Philadelphian citizens and neighborhoods submit many of the mural themes by way of an online request form. According to Rueters news agency, Golden said that only a half dozen of the murals have been defaced to date.

Today the program has expanded to local prisons and rehabilitation centers as well, furthering its mission to save lives with art. More than 300 inmates and 200 juveniles receive instruction from the Mural Arts Restorative Justice program every year. Inmates, ex-cons, and juvenile offenders are afforded the opportunity to learn new skills, repair any damage they may have imposed, and contribute to their communities. By way of art, the program gives a voice to many who otherwise feel at odds with the community.

The Mural Project is currently painting one of the largest murals in the country. Slated for completion this June, “How Philly Moves” will reach 75 feet tall and span a half-mile wide, greeting travelers as they arrive at the Philadelphia International Airport.

Visitors to Philadelphia have a variety of mural tours from which to choose, including walking tours, mobile-phone tours, bike tours, trolley tours, and themed tours. The Love Letter Train Tour takes tourists by 50 romantic murals, the Ale & Arts Adventure Tour serves as both a mural and a brewery tour, and the African American Iconic Images Collection Train Tour includes murals of such figures as Malcolm X, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Jackie Robinson.

To learn more about the Mural Arts Program, visit http://muralarts.org/.

Note: The information contained in this blog was taken directly from the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program website.