Graffiti Styles

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There are many styles of graffiti art in the world. The most basic style was random carvings or paintings that are depictions of the artist’s life, ideals, or values. Through out history, from cave paintings to depictions of life in Pompeii, graffiti gives archeologists and sociologists an idea of the mindset of the general population. Even though in modern cultures, graffiti is considered vandalism, it still leaves a clear message of the education, political mindset, and overall vision of the artists.

The first kind and most popular graffiti is called “tagging” or “bombing”. This was created in the early 70’s when the artist would develop a signature and a handle. Tak182 was the first one credited to start the “bombing” movement. Being a foot messenger, he would ride subways and mark the trains he would ride with his signature “Tak182 was here” The popularity of bombing grew and an artist’s reputation was increased with the number of places (and more difficult) they could tag.

Subway cars were the prime canvas for New York graffiti artists until the anti-graffiti movement in the 80’s. People would break into the stations when the subway cars were stationed for the night and have time to do elaborate murals and even decorate a full car.

This was the start of the “Piece” or masterpiece. An artist would use three or more colors to create block or bubble letters for their signature, along with background images and even some characters to represent the artist.

Another form of graffiti is the “throw-up”. This is similar to the “tag” but uses a few more colors to outline and highlight the work. Speed was the key, as the artist usually does not want to get caught.

The last most common form is stencils. The artist usually will create a stencil from cardboard and will hold it up to their “canvas” and spray over it. This from requires no real artistic talent, but it does make up for speed and intricacy of design.

Miss Van - The Original Graffiti Girl!

Miss Van is a graffiti artist that has been around the graffiti scene since 1991.Born in 1973, Miss Van has been working on her craft since 1991, when she turned 18. Vanessa Alice Bensimon was born in Toulouse, France and has been in love with the art form since she was a child. Currently, she tours the world. Miss Van showcases her artwork in many countries and promotes her craft to as many people as she can.

In 1993, she finally discovered her unique techniques and her preferred medium. She is well renowned in the graffiti world and is an iconic figure for women across the world. When Miss Van hit the scene, she paved the way for women artists in France. Her medium is acrylics. Her style is very cartoonish and charming. Soft features of well rounded women are charming. As does in Europe, a lot of her paintings of women are in the nude form. This is because censorship and nudity are not as taboo for art forms as they are in other nations.

Most of these figures are of women in various moods or stages in life. There are many websites that offer Miss Van prints for reasonable prices. They will ship to various parts of the world and are a great way for someone to familiarize themselves with the wrok of such a great artist. Wall paintings of Miss Van’s work can be found in many places in Toulouse, but she has been hired to paint other areas as well. Currently she showcases her art in a gallery. Her website will show times and places for the viewings, so if you wish to meet the artist and view her work up close and personal, there might be a viewing near you!

NOTE: You can order Miss Van (and Fafi, Nina, Banksy, etc.) prints and receive them in time for Christmas! Go to: http://www.graffitipix.com

Miss Van - The Original Graffiti Girl!

It would be impossible to approach the subject of “graffiti” without mentioning Miss Van, one of the “girls” who adorn the walls of the old Toulouse.

Now based in Barcelona, Miss Van earned her stripes on the streets of her native Toulouse – a city in Southwestern France that is home to a world-famous graffiti scene - where she set the standard for her peers and discovered an early affection for ruffling feathers.

An artist from a young age, Miss Van dedicated herself to art school and graffiti at the same time, and made no efforts to hide her love for street art from her professors. In the early 1990s, she began tagging and going around with friends. It was not long before she began to develop her trademark “sexy, erotic images that will disturb or seduce people on the street.” She likes to explore the symbiotic relationship between artist and public space, especially the fact that she can deposit images freely into a fully engaged environment and thereby encourage a heightened level of interplay between the viewer and her work.

You can see some of Miss Van's work - photo's taken of some her very best graffiti - at Graffitipix. In fact, you can order museum-quality, exhibition grade prints at absurdly low prices now.

While you're there, check out some of Graffitipix's other extraordinary images, including Fafi and some of her original Fafi girls and "Fafinettes" - photo's taken before her paintings starting appearing on lunch boxes!

GraffitiPix and Prison Art Project Scheduled For Major Update

Graffitipix, the premier website for exhibition grade museum-quality graffiti prints from artists like Miss Van and FAFI is about to get a major overhaul and improvement.

The entire web site will be upgraded with additional new pictures from FAFI and Miss Van, as well as many other graffiti artists.

The long-awaited release of The Prison Art Project website is coming as well. This site, www.prisonartproject.org will be coming online in mid-October. Prisonartproject.org will be featuring hundreds of extraordinary original pieces by inmate artists incarcerated throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

There will be numerous prison art pieces featuring pen & ink, colored pencil, pen, graphite, Magic Marker, and more.

These "Outsider Art" originals range from smaller pieces, to many 8.5"x11" pieces created on notebook paper, to larger works created on linen from prison bed sheets.

You can see some new pieces posted on Graffitipix.com already, with many more to come.

Look for the updates to Graffitipix at around the same time as Prisonartproject.org. There will also be an emphasis on women graffiti artists, as well as some up & coming new taggers.

We welcome your suggestions about new artists to feature on the premier Graffiti art website.

Graffitipix also welcomes and solicits your original photographs of graffiti art from around the world. Please feel free to leave a comment with contact information for us!

Looking For Graffiti Artist Suggestions

In my ongoing efforts to improve Graffitipix.com (http://www.graffitipix.com), I would like to ask for some help - from you!

Right now, most of the interest we get is for Miss Van and FAFI. There is still a lot of interest in many of the other graffiti artists, but I would like to ask for suggestions.

Who should we be looking at, contacting, supporting?

It doesn't necessarily need to be new graffiti artists or taggers, anyone tagging, bombing, painting, or otherwise creating beautiful graffiti art is of interest.

Are there women graffiti artists we should be looking at? Graffiti art that has somehow escaped our attention?

You are our eyes and ears. Please post a comment and let me know what new (or old) graffiti art has been catching your attention, which graffiti artists you would like to see more of.

Thanks! And don't forget to stop by and visit Graffitipix.com, the premier graffiti pictures web site!

Graffitipix Does Well in Google!

Someone recently pointed out to me that Graffitipix.com shows up very high in Google!

I did a quick search and found that the site is listed very high for some very good search terms.

In fact, Graffitipix is on the first page of Google for Miss Van, Fafi, Graffiti Artists, and other related phrases.

On another note, it looks like I might have to sell Graffitipix, due to some personal issues. I was actually offered $20,000 for the site once, but at the time had no desire to sell it. In fact, I don't want to sell it now, but some personal emergencies have arisen, and it looks like I might need the money.

If you know of anyone interested in the BEST Graffiti Art Sales website in the world, send me an email!