Via Manuel Bello at ArrestedMotion

It’s always great to see good things happen for amazing artists and all around good guys. With that, cheers to José Parlá and the Barclays Center on the new 10 ft. x 70 ft. (i.e. LARGE) mural, Diary of Brooklyn, just released over the weekend. Brooklyn is lucky to have such an epic artist that calls it home.

Check out more about the story behind the mural and many more detailed photos @ArrestedMotion.
And of course, José Parlá.

Apparently, after painting the following mural on a Sunday the owner had a change of heart and buffed it by Tuesday. Had they been smart they would have chopped up the wall, sold it at auction, and retired millionaires. Anyway, check for a few more flicks after the jump. Big ups to the Hawaiians that decorated the then buffed wall with signs and spray paint of thank you and apology. And of course, follow Choe’s always entertaining Blawg (images are from Choe’s site).

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But alas Hawaii he did some other art (and play) while there.

Brooks Golden, painted an owl on the 16 Street wall beneath the railroad tracks near Paulina. Chicago Alderman Danny Solis, is stepping up a campaign to use public art to combat crime and graffiti. Wednesday, August 22, 2012 | Scott Stewart~Sun Times

Great to see the Sun-Times give some space to a great artist, Brooks Golden, and a great idea by Ald. Danny Solis. I know, it’s crazy to think public art would contribute to a higher quality of life. I use to chill with Brooks during high school and he was always pushing creativity and positivity and going for yours. The man deserves his props.

Read the whole article at the Sun-Times.

I’ve had a crush on Maya Hayuk for a long time. It first started when I discovered her art through Barnstormers. For the longest time I had no idea what she even looked like but I didn’t need to cuz her work did something to me and made me a giggling little school boy. It’s been years and she continues to gift the world continuously with pieces of her explosive self, big and small (murals on barns to record covers for Savath & Savalas).

The Universe II

I was super stoked to see the awesome folks at Cinders Gallery make her the artist of the month and do an interview with her. They’ve done a tremendous job of giving support/exposure to true artists like Maya and others of her ilk.

"Cinders: what is your spirit animal? Maya: a chrome dolphin."

In the interview Maya succinctly sums up her work as “play.” Which is so true. But as simple as that is so is the complexity of her patterns and lines and color. As is the implicit meaning woven into her work, subtle, not having to scream “MESSAGE!” Politics and humanity are intrinsic without labeling itself “Political”, femininity is a presence without having to state the obvious. Cinders asks her about being a female artist and she puts into words what i’ve always felt-

Cinders: can you talk about being a female artist specifically?

Maya: well, as long as women still remain second class citizens in our society, we will be referred to as “female artists” and not simply as “artists” (which implies a white male normal). i mean, how many times are male artists asked “can you talk about being a male artist?”. until women are respected as equals and their rights to proper healthcare, education and equal pay are secured, we’re still going to be living in a broken society. this affects us all (male and female).

There is so much more to Maya than could ever fit in this little ol’ blog post and I claim no part of doing her any justice, so go read the INTERVIEW for another small glimpse into her psyche!!!

And check out-

Cinders Gallery.

MayaHayuk.com

She has also put out a book out with Upper Playground, Just Good Vibes, has a segment in The Run Up DVD and an awesome zine with Nieves, Round the Way (with a two disc soundtrack!)

(I’ve yet to meet her but I was really stoked when I got asked to contribute art to a group show based on The Pat Roberston & Friends Coloring Book and she was amongst the other artists)

Couldn’t be more well put. Thank you to whoever you are.