DIANA CONTRERAS WHEN DID YOU GET STARTED I’ve been painting with spray paint for about 3 years?! I got started because of other influence, pushing me to get on a wall, paint bigger and it’s a lot of fun. So one of the first piece that I did was illegal, but it wasn’t a place that was like abandoned. It wasn’t a very a nice Photo by Pascal Doytier place and the people who owned the wall or in charge of the wall, loved my work so much that they gave me the whole wall. So it went from an illegal wall to a legal wall. DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE I would describe my style as being very whimsical and feminine. I like to paint things that are beautiful. I like to always send out positive messages of strong, beautiful women. Lately I’ve been doing a lot more fun, a lot more comical and fun art. I think I am greatly influenced by my students. I teach elementary school and also just enjoying life and having fun, not taking it too serious. So I think my work definitely changes with my mood. If I am feeling fun and light; it’ll show, and if I am feeling emotional or sad or angry; it’ll also show in my work. DOES YOUR HERITAGE INFLUENCE YOUR ART Well, I was born in Peru but I grew up in Miami. I’ve been here since I was 5 years old. So, I think it does, unconsciously, I think maybe that the bright colors, I know in Peru in the mountains there were a lot of neon colors. Pinks and greens, so people could see people in the mountain easier. Think of the colors and patterns too. But I am also influenced by Miami; which has a lot of bright colors, fluorescent, art deco. So I’m planning a trip to Peru for December, where I hope to grasp more of my culture, because I love my culture! ANY FORMAL ART TRAINING I went to Miami Dade, FIU for art education. I always wanted to be a full time artist but my parents didn’t want me to. So I went into art education, but thankfully they let me to take a lot of fine art classes. So I got to practice a lot, but they mostly leave you on your own over there. I got to use sculpture and ceramics, painting, print making. I got to explore all the arts; which I think is good. WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST GRATIFYING AS AN ART TEACHER The most gratifying aspect of being an art teacher is having my students just, even the students that do not like art, that do not think they can draw. I think it is most gratifying when they start enjoying art, when they get that confidence that they can draw anything. I really try to teach them art appreciation. Maybe they will not be an artist when they grow up, but to be able to realize art is everywhere. That you need art. Art is important in your life. Have some culture. To be able to know how to draw, even if they don’t pursue it, I really strive to break things down with lines and shapes; and they amaze themselves! Especially my young 1st graders can draw very well, can render anything, can copy things. FEMALE FIGURES IN YOUR ART I think that as a writer you write what you know. Since I am a female, I paint female. I also think they are fun because you can add so many accessories in females. With a girl you can use any color, and they are very versatile for me as an artist and it’s easy for me to express emotions through female characters. Even if they’re a make-believe character or animal characters are always usually female. I don’t like drawing boys. CHARACTER’S EYES ARE ALWAYS CLOSED They don’t always have their eyes closed but a majority of them do. It’s kind of from the Bible where it says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” So I wanted to make some characters that stood out that were a little bit different by having their eyes closed. UPCOMING PROJECTS I am currently working on a dual show with Indie in December for the Dubai Street Art Gallery. I want to create a whole new series of works I have never done before. I just always want to keep challenging myself and taking it to the next level. Something combining a lot more of my street art with fine art in one. IF YOU COULD OWN A PIECE OF ART WORK A piece of art work I wish I could own would be... any one by Frida Kahlo. But I especially love, I forget the title right now, but it is one of her...it’s a self-portrait and her body has a column going through, and it’s like broken and she has nails and she’s bleeding. I just really loved that she is able to be so fearless with her emotions, not be afraid of making something looking ugly. She was really one of the first female artists that inspired me to be an artist. WHY IS STREET ART IMPORTANT Street art is important to me because it has given me an opportunity to showcase my work in a large scale to masses of people. It has open the doors to exhibit in Dubai and travel. Doing street art has really just opened up my art career. So I am very thankful for it and I think that you can use it for good. You can use it to beautify a community and to spread a positive message. Like, “Bring back our girls.” Anything, it is a very powerful art tool to spread a message and it’s free. It’s for the public. So I think the most important thing about street art and public art is it is for the people and that’s my favorite part about it. ~ Pascal Doytier For TOTW
QUICK INTRO TO MSG MSG aka the Miami Style Gods are the city’s best known graffiti crew. Originally started by Crome, the crew has continuously defined graffiti in Miami over the years. As a teenager in the late 80s, Crome admired works by writers from crews like the Inkheads and MTW. Then, the graffiti scene was centered in New York and Miami had little Photo by Robert Dempster home-gown talent to boast, as the local scene was mainly led by transplants from Queens and the Bronx until Crome and his friend Crook changed the game by making graffiti specific to their city. Starting in the early 90s Crome and the first group of artists he recruited under the name MSG defined graffiti in Miami, mainly through their thought out themes, but also through their use of bright colors and their specific style inspired by the city’s lifestyle, architecture, landscape and signage. Highway signs were the young graffiti writer’s main target to reach Miami commuters and make sure their work, often in large and easily legible letters, was seen by as many people as possible. MSG member Atomik remembers being inspired to become a graffiti writer when seeing the crew’s work on the highway during road trips with his parents. In 1999 graffiti activity in Miami slowed down after Crome and Crook were charged, in one of the biggest graffiti cases in America at the time, with causing $800.000 in damages to highway signs in Broward and Miami-Dade. The case fell apart and MSG stayed very prolific through many ups and downs that followed. In 2014, MSG is still going strong with members like Abstrk, Atomik, Crome, Crook, Hest, Pucho and Quake, just to name a few. The South Florida landscape offers the writers lots of space to paint and the prominence of the Wynwood Art District as well as the presence of major art fairs like Art Basel Miami Beach has solidified Miami’s art scene and the place of graffiti as an important art form that has also made its way from the walls into the galleries and museums. ~ Heike Dempster
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ALKING OFF THE WALL Your CommUNITY Street Artist’s Voice
FACEBOOK /talkingoffthewall INSTAGRAM @talkingoffthewall Masthead/Logo: Gabriel Gimenez aka GG Poster: Artwork by Diana Contreras at the Miami Marine Stadium, Key Biscayne. Photo: Pascal Doytier Ads & Events due by the 10th of each month talkingoffthewall@gmail.com Cover concept/photo: Pascal Doytier TOTW talented writers, amazing photographers, contributors, unconditional supporters, artists and friends: Christy Thompson, Heike Dempster, Clara Vanessa, Sandro Abate, Sean R Sullivan, Craig Ledermann, Bryan Levy, Robert Dempster, Robert William, Andrew Kaufman, Jonathan Delgado, Sunshyne Reels, Myra Wexler aka Yo Momma, Yuval & Lorie Ofir, Sookie & Maddie Endo, Justin Hamel, Yess Miakoda, Zoel Zupstar, David McCauley, Renda Writer, TMNK aka Nobody, Luis Valle, Able Gw, Ivan Roque, Chy Tea Shoulin, GG, Danny Ferrer, Kelo, Jorge Rodriguez, Subi Roberto, 2Square, Kazilla, The DOWW, Leza One, HecOne, Diana Contreras, Atomik, Asek, Buddah Funk, Trek6, Elio Mercado, Derek Wilson, Effis Art, Registered Artist, Rigo Leon, 8bitlexicon, Steven Reyes, Nate Dee, Sergio Quinonez, Krave Art, Luis Berros, Tee Davis, Jessica Schnur, Abstrk, Astre74, Gons, Ernesto Kunde, Danelle & Michele Pino, Barbara de Varona, Monique Lassooij, Yuhmi Collective, Aquarela Sabol, Sharif Salem, Ramzi Adek, James Brutus, Jay Bellicchi, Rolando Chang Barrero, Axel Void, Jake Cordero, Craig Oneil, Nadia Desjardins, Stefanie Caro, Christopher Ian Macfarlane, Jenny Perez, Skott Marsi, Chor Boogie, Lee Hoechstetter and my children, Lucas, Maxence and Shayna. Special thanks to Steev Rullman & PureHoney Magazine for believing in TOTW and making it possible. Peace
Thursday June 26th Meet the Artist Series with Monique Lassooij • DCOTA-Decorative Crafts, 1855 Griffin Road, Suite B-218, Hollywood • Throughout the months of June, July and August—DCOTA Decorative Crafts presents the “Meet the Artist Series,” offered on designated Thursdays throughout the summer. Stay on top of the industry’s new coming trends from individuals who have renowned success and recognition in their respective fields. Be inspired by engaging speakers who will introduce guests to new techniques and ideas within the creative world. • Following the lecture, guests are invited to a champagne reception at the Decorative Crafts showroom B-218. 1- 3pm Saturday June 28th Grand Theft Artists Miami • WYN 317 Gallery 167, NW 25th St, Wynwood Arts District • A Show by The Secret Society of Super Villain Artists featuring work from international artists, live painting and demonstrations by Registered Artist and CS Stanley during opening night and much, much more. • Show runs until July 15th during normal business hours. Saturday June 28th FAT Village Art Walk, North Andrews & NW 5th St, Ft Lauderdale, 7-11pm Saturday June 28th Opening of our new show: RE • MAC Fine Art Gallery, 833 NE 4th Avenue, Ft Lauderdale • During the Flagler Village Art Walk Sunday June 29th Sunday Sauce Brunch R House 2727 NW 2nd Ave, Wynwood Arts District, 11:30am-4pm Wednesday July 2nd Gringo Bingo • Wood Tavern 2531 NW 2nd Ave, Wynwood Arts District • 1st Wednesday of every month Starting at 7pm Friday July 4th – Happy Independence Day! Friday July 4th The Downtown Miami Art Walk • McCormick Place, 111 SW 3rd St, Miami 1st Friday of the month, 6-10pm Friday July 4th ELIXIR: Entertainment Industry Mixer • LMNT, Art Gallery, Event Venue, 59 NW 36 St, Miami • 1st Friday of every month, 6pm -? Sunday July 6th Average Joe Sale • Yo Space 294 NE 62nd St, Little Haiti • The whole idea behind these Average Joe sales is to make it possible for everyday people to be able to support their local artists by presenting art work in a laid back environment at affordable prices. 3-8pm Friday July 11th “What’s All The Buzz About?” Opening Reception • Art on Park Gallery, 800 Park Ave, Lake Park • Curator, Rolando Chang Barrero has his eyes
set on Lake Park. He says, “This is going to be the place to hang out, buy art, and listen to great music this summer!” As a member of the Artists of Palm Beach County, it seems only perfect that the ActivistArtistA Galleries director would choose APBC Gallery and Studios to have his inaugural summer event. Sponsored by PureHoney Magazine 5-8pm Friday July 11th Cauley Square Art Walk • Cauley Square, 22400 Old Dixie Hwy, Miami FL 33170. • “Every second Friday of the month, the studios and galleries of Cauley Square host an Art Walk filled with music and performances. Providing any artist a great venue to showcase their work.” 7-11pm Saturday July 12th You & I Are Love Show • LMNT, Art Gallery, Event Venue, 59 NW 36 St, Miami • Live Painting & Live Music, 8pm -? Saturday July 12th Wynwood Art Walk • Art Gallery, Public Art, and Event Space • NW 2nd Ave (between NW 20th & NW 36th St), Wynwood Arts District • Food Trucks located at the corner of 23rd & 2nd Ave. 7-11pm Saturday July 19th Downtown Hollywood Art Walk • Hollywood Blvd./Harrison St. & Tyler St. • 3rd Saturday of every month 7-10pm Saturday July 19th Analog Art Show 2014 • Yo Space 294 NE 62nd St, Little Haiti • Artwork on vinyl from over 50 artists, a pop up record shop by Sweat Records, DJ’s and live music, and Ms. Cheezious food truck. Saturday July 19th So You Think You Can Paint? • Viophilia, 164 NW 20th St. Wynwood Arts District • The concept is simple we provide the space, paint, canvas and brushes for all to paint. The idea is to complete as many art pieces by the end of the night. • Throughout the evening, masters mix with amateurs, curators blend with observers and even non-artists are inspired to participate. • Bring a friend, paint a masterpiece or witness the magic! • Free Event. Drink Specials all night 8-1am Thursday July 24th BBAD Boynton Beach Art walk • 408-422 West Industrial Ave, Boynton Beach • Providing Florida Artists in all disciplines a venue to showcase their talent and creativity • Every 4th Thursday of the month 6-10pm Saturday July 26th FAT Village Art Walk • North Andrews & NW 5th St, Fort Lauderdale 7-11pm Wednesday July 30th Last Call Comedy Show • Wynwood Brewing Co. 565 NW 24th St, Wynwood Arts District • Last Wednesday of every month at 8pm
CHAOTIC BEAUTY Chaotic Beauty of Wynwood A great friend who had been working on an art project invited me to discover the streets of Wynwood. He was mostly enthusiastic about how street art is changing the way is perceive throughout the world. Although I have heard about Wynwood having a few cool galleries to visit, I also knew that the majority of this town was one full of abandoned Photo by Pascal Doytier building and graffiti-sized warehouses. I’ve been in Florida long enough to know of the art district in Miami, to understand the basics of Wynwood... so I thought! We met in the middle of the afternoon at Wood Tavern. We started by walking around the neighborhood then drove to a few key spots. I was in disbelief when I realized the artistic display on these walls. Every step I took got me closer to another piece of art, I found my head turning in 5 different directions. I was admiring art in its true form and it was amazing. Some of it confusing, other strange. I saw what seemed to be different forms of paint spray but still no true knowledge of what was used or when. One thing I was for sure was how it all made me feel. The more I explore the more I wanted to know who these people were, what motivated them, I was intrigued. I found myself fully indulge in what I was seeing then I realized I have had blinders as to what Wynwood was truly about. I like many others have thought of this form of art to be vandalism, how wrong have we’ve been. All I could see was the true expression of someone’s creativity. The streets are their canvas, those walls are their inspiration, their minds are the creation of such beauty, such determination, such perfection, sometimes just a simple painting of something that may seem minuscule to most but to them a pure and honest identifier of whom they are. It doesn’t matter what it was, It is Art. It is how they choose to express it, where, and when that matters. This experience was mind-bottling and I am happy for it. Every one of those artist have contributed a necessary chaotic beauty with each wall, with each mural, to the streets of Wynwood and that is undeniable. ~ Sun Flower