Lessons from the Streets: Taking Notes from A Graffiti Artist

“Untitled” by Basquait —- Sold for $110 million in 2017

Jean-Michel Basquiat came to fame young in life — an 80s Art Star. I love a good 80s icon. He was first noticed as a Manhattan graffiti artist, and quickly rose up the ranks in the art world. The talented young artist had a rough childhood, which made for a gripping story that attracted attention from collectors. He was a mover and a shaker, often spotted with famous artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. That also attracted attention. It didn’t take long before his work made it to Times Square.

By the time he was in his mid-twenties, Basquiat was making as much as $27,000 per painting. He spent as big as he earned, making a show of his money as a way to “stick up his nose to people who were looking down on you.” The artist was always making a statement.

“Feeling Bullish” is my work, inspired by the noble dog. It’s loosely painted so the stoic dog is offset by the wild use of color.

Sadly, Jean-Michel’s art career ended along with his life at the young age of 27. He is often talked about as a member of the 27 Club, a group of artists who all died at the same age. I wonder what it is about talented people like Jimmi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jean-Michael Basquiat and the year 27. Their artistic influence lives on long past the short time they had to create.

Basquiat was an abstract expressionist. His work reflected his personal angst, alluded to famous influencers in Black History, spoke of injustice and anti-materialism, and grappled with disparate power dynamics. I consider myself and my work to be abstract impressionist and not based on such volatility. I look to Basquiat’s art, however, and am inspired by his abstract layering techniques. His inspiration for his subject and the wildly loose expressions on the surface are more than just paint on the canvas. That resonates with me.

“Congaree” expresses life and light in a Southern scene with its frenzy of color.

When I start painting the landscapes and people I refer to as “Portrait of the South,” I begin with a feeling that I want to express. The strokes of the brush, and layers of colors come together to make an abstract representation of a southern scene, but with each stroke of paint added, the story develops and the plot deepens.

When asked to describe his work, Basquiat once answered “royalty, heroism, and the streets.” I love this statement and how it brings such a vivid image of the artist’s intent.

Today, Basquiat is called a modern day Picasso and his paintings sell for upwards of $110 million. Of course, there is a very limited supply of his work and the demand is quite high. If ever I find that my work in process has become calm I may channel the young artist Basquiat with the hope of challenging the art and energizing the brushwork.