Miami

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An incredible variety of faces — representing a range of styles, techniques and sensibilities — make their way onto Wynwood’s walls. Pictured above is by New Mexico-native Miles Toland. Here are several more captured on my recent visit to Miami:

Mexican artist Paola Delfin

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Montreal-based Dodo, A’Shop Crew

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Cero — Puerto Rican artists Celso González and Roberto Biaggi

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South Florida-based Jordan Betten, close-up

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Colombian stencil artist Juega Siempre

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South Florida-based Eduardo Mendieta

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Photos by Lois Stavsky

Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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Home to some of Miami’s most intriguing artists — with an increasing presence of global ones — Little Haiti is an oasis of style and expressiveness. Pictured above is a mural painted collaboratively by 2Alas and Case Maclaim. What follows are several more I captured on my recent trip to Miami.

Hong Kong-based Caratoes

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Miami native Axel Void, close-up of tribute mural to the late graffiti writer “Reefa” Hernandez, who was killed by a Miami police officer

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Local artist Marcus Blake aka Mdot Blake, close-up

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Nicaraguan artist Luis Valle aka El Chan Guri, close-up

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Fort Lauderdale-based Nate Dee

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Miami-based Ernesto Maranje, close-up

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Photos by Lois Stavsky

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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In its mission to shed light on the plight of child workers and raise funds to halt child slavery, Street Art for Mankind — a non-profit public charity that promotes art for social change — has engaged dozens of artists renowned for sharing their talents and visions in public spaces. Pictured above is a huge mural fashioned by Clandestinos currently on view at 7401 NW Miami Ct in Little River, Miami. What follows are several more images — some just seen this past week in Miami and others captured last month in New York City at the closing ceremony for #AtThisAge, the first United Nations exhibit featuring street art.

Clandestinos —  Bruno Smoky and Shalak Attack — at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

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London-based Mr Cenz, close-up, as seen in Miami

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Mr Cenz aThe French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

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Portuguese artist Mr. Dheo in Miami

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Mr. Dheo at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

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Copenhagen-based Victor Ash in Miami

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Victor Ash at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

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Parisian artist Jo Di Bona in Miami

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Jo Di Bona at The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) in NYC

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Trek6 in Miami, his home town

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And Trek6 educating youngsters on the art of the spray can on the Miami grounds of Street Art for Mankind

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The dozens of murals remain on view through tomorrow, Monday, at 7401 NW Miami Ct in Little River. And, also, tomorrow, 70 masterpieces — from 4×4 feet to 40×8 feet  — will be be auctioned. Check here for further info about the closing day’s activities and the auction that will raise funds for the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) to help rescue and rehabilitate enslaved children across the world. And there’s much ahead for Street Art for Mankind as exhibits, workshops and auctions are planned for Paris, Sao Paulo, Dubai and Seoul.

Photo credits: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 & 12 Lois Stavsky; 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 Karin du Maire 

Note: Hailed in a range of media from Wide Walls to the Huffington Post to the New York Times, our Street Art NYC App is now available for Android devices here.

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While visiting Miami’s Design District yesterday, I had the opportunity to preview FAAM‘s sixth edition of its “Major Street Art Auction.”  Pictured above is one side of Faile‘s hugely impressive tower. Here are several more images of works that will remain on exhibit through Sunday, with a live auction tomorrow, Saturday evening, at 5PM.

Another view of Faile‘s Tower with Banksy’s Caveman on far right

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Federico Massa aka Iena Cruz, Glass Eye, Acrylic on canvas

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Tracy 168, Wild Style, Mixed-media on canvas

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Luis Berros, Khalo, Mixed media on wood panel

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Tats Cru and more, Mixed media with enamel paint on digital photo on five foam core panels

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Abstrk, Untitled, spray enamel on wood panel

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Speedy Graphito, American Kings, Acrylic on canvas

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Flyer with info — featuring Banksy’s Caveman

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 Photos of artworks 1-7 by Lois Stavsky

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Back in 2014, the RAW Project transformed Wynwood’s Jose De Diego Middle School’s stark walls into a vibrant, sumptious outdoor gallery. During last month’s Art Basel, a team of artists — from across the globe — brought beauty and intrigue to the walls of Wynwood’s Eneida M. Hartner Elementary School. Pictured above is Jules Muck at work. Here are several more images captured on site by travel and street photographer Karin du Maire.

Mr. June at work

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Paolo Delfin

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Kevin Ledo — on left — with Shepard Fairey (w/assistants) and Paolo Delfin at work earlier on

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Case Maclaim at work

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RAW Project curator Robert Skran posing with Miami Dolphins’ Jarvis Landry aka Juice and Kai Aspire in front Kai’s and Jarvis’s collaborative artwork

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All photos by Karin du Maire

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Last month during Miami Art Week, the Bushwick Collective once again collaborated with the Mana Urban Arts Project in facilitating first-rate public artwork in Wynwood, Miami. Pictured above is a mural by Louis Masai, along with an installation by Davis McCarty. Here are several more works captured by street photographer Karin du Maire.

Netherlands-based Michel Velt

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West Coast-based Chor Boogie — in front of mural — and Miami’s Trek6

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Brazilian artist Sipros

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LA-based Shepard Fairey aka Obey Giant in front of one segment of his huge mural

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Chilean artist Fiorello Podesta aka Fio

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All photos by Karin du Maire

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Miro

The range and scope of Miami’s graffiti walls are distinctly impressive. Local writers, along with artists from across the globe, make their mark in Wynwood, Overtown and beyond. Pictured above is Miro. Here are a few more I saw on my recent visit:

Vejam

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Gorey

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Bulks

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Vogue, TDK

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Ligisd

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Mastro

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Krave

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Photo credits: 1-6 & 8 Lois Stavsky; 7 Mastro

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While down in Miami, I met up with Bronx native Mastro whose masterful graffiti designs and styles can be found on walls, hats and a range of surfaces throughout NYC, Miami and beyond. 

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Can you recall any early graffiti memories?

My earliest memory is riding the 6 train to Pre-K. Everything around me was bombed. I remember thinking, “What is this magic?” Growing up in the Bronx, I saw classic NYC graffiti everywhere. Seen, Mad and Pjay were among the writers I saw on my day-to-day commute.

When and where did you first hit the streets?

When I was in 5th grade, I started with stupid, little tags – like Shadow and Ace – all along Zerega Avenue. I was also getting up in my school. I thought I was “King!” But I was a toy.

What inspired you to get up?

Graffiti was everywhere. How could I not?

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When and how did you come up with the name Mastro?

I was in my mid-teens. It was actually part of my name, and none of the aliases made any sense.

Did you paint with a crew back then or were you largely alone?

I generally liked to keep it solo and quiet.

And thse days?

I paint both solo and with others. But I don’t think the crew should define the writer. Rather, the writer should define the crew.

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Do you have a formal art education?

Yes. I have a BA in Architecture from Pratt.

Did you go on to work as an architect?

After I graduated, I worked as an architect for a while. But at the same time I began customizing hats. And that business took off almost immediately – and was a lot more fun!  I thought, “Why should I work for someone else when I can do better on my own?”

And just how are you doing on your own?

I’m doing great. I never expected my business to go this far. Besides customizing hats, I get paid to do body painting and lettering. And I’m also commissioned to produce graffiti murals and installations.

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What would you say is the key to your success?

It’s a matter of my being in the right place at the right time. And that is something I work on doing.

Although you are based in NYC, you seem to spend more time on the road then you do back home.

Yes, I’ve been traveling just about full-time across the U.S. I try to cover as many music/art festivals and fairs that I possibly can. I tend to hang out where there are lots of people all the time.

What are some of the challenges of leading such a nomadic life?

The biggest challenge is having to do my own laundry.

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As you didn’t forge a career as an architect, would you say that your Pratt education was worthwhile?

Yes! It definitely taught me how to become a better artist. But it did not teach me how to sell my technique.

How does your family feel about what you are doing?

My parents get a kick out of it!

What percentage of your time is devoted to art?

Technically – all of it. I create non-stop both on and off the wall.  My art is my “work.” The only aspect of it that actually feels like work is when I’m moving and lifting materials.

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What advice would you offer young artists who would like to build a successful art business?

Always have access to your presentation portfolio. Be prepared to share it with anyone at any time. Know how to write a proposal, a contract and a rider sheet. And be ready to easily accept all types of payment from credit cards to PayPal.

How do you feel about the role of the Internet and social media in this scene?

I don’t like the Internet. I don’t like having to use technology to promote myself. But I can’t deny that it does increase recognition, awareness and sales.

That would seem to be a good thing.

But social media can easily turn you into a techno-slut. Too many people seem to depend on social media to increase their value. It’s your work that should be valued, not your number of “likes” or followers. Back when I first started, we did it for the love of it; now folks do it for the “likes.” And back in the day, you had no idea what a writer in Australia was doing unless you saw it in a magazine. These days, it is just far too easy to borrow and regurgitate styles from half way around the world.

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Are there any particular cultures – or artists — that have influenced your aesthetic?

Growing up in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, I was influenced, of course, by everything that was happening around me – graffiti, hip-hop, breakdancing. The artist who had the hugest influence on my aesthetic was Wane COD, a master of intricate simplicity.

What are your favorite places to paint?

Abandoned places that are withering away, and those places that have stood the test of time where nature is flourishing

How has your artwork evolved in the past few years?

I’m trying to make it crisper and smoother. I would like all demographics to be able to understand my writing.

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What do you see as the role of the artist in society?

I’m here to create. I don’t think about it.

What’s ahead?

Building and creating wherever life takes me. Living my life as a “permanent vacation,” earning money doing what I love.

Note: Photos are of artworks seen in NYC and in Miami. Pictured in the third photo are: Mastro, Eskae and Disem — with Mastro and Eskae trading names.

Photo credits: 1-3, 7 & 8  Lois Stavsky; 4 & 5 Tara Murray; and 6 Mastro; interview conducted and edited by Lois Stavsky

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Brimming with color and intrigue, the artworks that surface in Little Haiti — largely by local artists — are among Miami’s most seductive. Here are a few more:

Also by Luis Valle

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Ruben Ubiera

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Faber Medrano

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Marcus Blake

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Wendell Pierre

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Photos by Lois Stavsky 

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Walking along Second Avenue from Wynwood to Little Haiti, I came upon dozens of intriguing artworks in Miami’s Buena Vista neighborhood. Here are a few more:

Claudio Picasso

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Renda Writer and Claudia La Bianca

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Smog One

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Dre Boogie

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Will Rodriguez

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With Neks One

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Note: First image is by Nate Dee

Photos by Lois Stavsky

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