Graffiti has been a part of my life for over 30 years, 3 decades of painting, walls, trains, clothing, for a while it seemed that I would paint anything that would stand still long enough. I remember back when I was starting, or should I say, when I was still a beginner, a nice way of saying I stunk. I was determined though and I practiced, a lot. Gone were the comic book drawings I loved to do and I became consumed with graffiti, I identified with this new art and was drawing pieces daily, at least 1 and sometimes up to 3 pieces a day.

One thing that allowed the fire to stay so strong was that there were so many amazing pieces on the subway and in my hood that continually inspired me and my style. Influences that were a constant challenge for me to get better and thankfully, I did. Now I am very lucky to know that I am one of those guys that inspire others, it’s a really cool feeling as an artist to know and hear that your work is admired and is inspiring to other artist, its flattering and humbling too!

Here are some of my inspirations, people whose art made me push my own limits to advance my style and be better

Dondi White

than everyone around me, now that wasn’t always the case but that was always the mind set.

So here’s a few of the guys I want to give props too in no particular order. Sizer/Gil, my Newave brother, when we grasped the idea and concept of Newave it was through him that ideas abounded, we were able to naturally bounce ideas crazy and crazier off each other and that’s always a powerful asset. We worked well together and as an artist there were things he did that really impressed me and again made me want to be better.

Rush, My cousin, the man responsible for getting me into graffiti in the first place and who was always a creative influence to me even from an early age, he got me into Rock and Roll, especially Kiss (Kiss Rocks!).

Steve "MrWiggles" Clemente

High School of Art and Design, I have to say aside from seeing the art on subways being at A&D was the most influential place for a graffiti artist to hone his styles, it was a graffiti artist wet dream to be there, surrounded by so many different styles! Imagine everyday for several years hanging out with artist like Doze, Pink, Mr Wiggles, Popmaster Fabel, Mare 139, the FBA guys! Tack, Airborne and Kaze, and so many others I could mention! Conan, an unsung phenomenal artist! Never had seen someone free style like him, and his design marker coloring technique, still unmatched to this day. A&D was definitely a major component in not only getting better but continuing my quest to individualize and excel in graffiti.

Mitch 77, another unsung hero from the subways, if he was a baseball player he wouldn’t be Babe Ruth, he’d be Ted Williams. He did it all and he did it with an enormous amount of style, insides, throw ups, dozens of massive end to end silver or gold block busters, simple styles, wild styles! The guy was amazing, Subway Art did him no justice by only printing one of his pieces and so he still gets overlooked as the mad creator I know he is!

Lee, the first official king of graffiti, I guess has to be on my list. Lived in the building next to mine (talk about a shadow

Lee Quinones

to grow out of) and although he and I are good friends today, we weren’t back then, he was quite a strange guy, almost a loner. His secretive way about painting was never a welcome trait so although I was in awe of his pieces I never cared for the guy. Again I must say that age has brought me wisdom and more importantly confidence which was instrumental in being able to become friends with him today. As I said, he is strange but I have found that the strange people in my life are the ones I get along best with.

Dondi, (RIP) well who wasn’t influenced by him. He just had way way too much style, a great flow, I couldn’t get enough of watching his pieces go by.

Iz The Wiz

Iz the Wiz, (RIP) Mad bomber, what a dedication to painting! I met so many of my youths heroes and occasionally they would be really cool, most weren’t, I would say graffiti artist in general were secretive and cliquish and after meeting your idols and realizing they were knuckleheads’ you began to become cliquish yourself. But during that there were a few that were really cool and helped you along in your career(not that it was any kind of career at that time). Iz was cool in sharing his knowledge with me thus inspiring me to go further.

Crash, also like Iz, Crash took time out to mentor me on technique and was helpful in getting me into my first gallery scene, GPI (Graffiti Productions Inc.). He didn’t have to do

Doze Green

anything for me but he did and I’m always thankful to him for that. As I said, graffiti artist were so secretive and it was cool when someone of his reputation take some time out for you.

There were so many others and there are so many even today that inspire me, challenge me. I’m always humbled by the massive talents worldwide, I’m glad I was able to be there at the beginning of graffiti going global and being a part of that.