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Hot take

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Keep Pittsburgh Shitty

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“LOOK CUTE, ACT LIKE A LADY AND BE ASSERTIVE”-GETTING OVER WITH LUCY

Women’s Month is coming to an end at Montana Colors, but females make a vital contribution to the brand all year round. There’s no better example than LUCY, a writer based in LA who just happens to coordinate all the MTN Shops in the U.S.A. In this interview for MTN World, we hear about the challenges she has faced as a writer and professional in this male-dominated subculture.

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Could you tell us who you are and what you do?  I go by LUCY. I am a WOC (Woman of Color) from Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. My preferred media are spray paint, photography and mixed media collages. I am the Regional Manager for Spray Planet. I set up the Montana Colors Flagship Stores in the United States. Aside from training and setting up MTN Shops from the ground up I also am the co-founder of Ladies First; an annual multimedia art show that aspires to highlight WOC in our communities. How long have you been in the world of graffiti?  I have been associated with the graffiti culture since I was in high school. I grew up watching my brother go bombing, and after a few years I caught the bug myself lol. I started with stencils and wheat paste then transitioned to photography. Towards the early 2000’s I decided to write LUCY to pay homage to my grandmother who had recently passed. I’ve never turned back since.

"Style isn’t a key point in my graffiti, writing on things is. I used to get really hung up on my “style”, but what I have noticed should be a key component in this game is: having fun."

Speaking of graffiti, how much has your local graffiti scene influenced you when it came to painting?   I am born and raised in Los Angeles, so the graffiti culture has always been around me. The Los Angeles Style is more “Cholo” Lettering, neighborhood gangs throwing up what they rep. Closer to DTLA you see it All: bombs. Throws, tags, burners, rollers, heavens. Living in Los Angeles is a privilege because I get to see people from all over the world come flex their styles. Nowadays, there is much more freedom, new ways of painting and new styles have been generated. How important is style to you and what interests you most personally about graffiti?   Style isn’t a key point in my graffiti, writing on things is. I used to get really hung up on my “style”, but what I have noticed should be a key component in this game is: having fun. Graff writers come and go. Once day you’re up and up, and the next month you’re old news. If you get too hung up on that, you’re missing the bigger picture. Now don’t get me wrong, You get a rush from seeing yourself up so style will always have importance. Leveling up is a priority in my realm so if my lines are cleaner than the last piece, and there are a minimum seven colors then I’m good to GO! Do you belong to a group of women writers? Can you tell us a bit about this group and the role of women in the graffiti scene in your environment?  As an individual, I want to use my platform and the experiences I have had through my work field to connect with likeminded WOC/POC in the community. In 2019, I connected with WINK and together we created LADIES FIRST. A Annual Multimedia Art Show Curated to highlight WOC/POC in all art media. Our First Show was at the MTN SHOP LA in Feb 2020 right before the pandemic. This year we have decided to challenge ourselves and curate a show out of state. The Ladies First Show will be held this year in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 21st.  Check out our IG @ladiesfirstla for details. As the manager of the Montana Colors Shops in the USA, we are sure that you have a lot of obligations and work, as much as some curious anecdotes. Could you tell us about your experiences?  Men often try to shortchange me in this culture, but they always get reminded by my assertive gift of gab. For instance, when I started I wasn’t initially hired to be manager, I was just anticipated to be full time. I proved myself over my male coworkers and earned my way to Store Manager at the MTN Shop LA. Now, I have three MTN Shops under my belt. I have trained all three MTN Stores and personally stocked all the paint racks myself. I’m v proud of my contribution to the history of such a well-respected brand: Montana Colors, Herstory Edition!

"Men often try to shortchange me in this culture, but they always get reminded by my assertive gift of gab."

What difficulties or facilities have you encountered on the way to date, both as a businesswoman and as a graffiti artist?  Absolutely, I mean I work in a male dominated culture. As a WOC, I’m constantly breaking barriers and smashing through the glass ceiling unapologetically. I must constantly work THREE times as hard to prove myself. I was not given this position, I proved myself and earned everything I have. I’m expected to look cute, act like a lady, and be assertive enough to set boundaries and discipline my staff. Although those are unrealistic European beauty standards, I still manage to do my thing. We understand that graffiti reaches different areas of your life… how far does it extend to your daily life?  Graffiti and Montana Colors are a full spectrum part of my life. I’m constantly working alongside my husband representing MTN as a brand, creating merch/clothing for Spray Planet and trying to paint as much as possible. It’s a blessing to say graffiti pays my bills and a privilege to be a part of the Montana Colors Team.

"I’m constantly breaking barriers and smashing through the glass ceiling unapologetically."

As a writer, what are your essentials when painting?  I got my Patagonia Duffle backpack. Inside is my Sanrio Twin Star cap case. I only need two caps; Lego & cream cap, gloves, and minimum 12 cans, preferably 94. And finally, how is the legal situation of graffiti where you live and how has it affected you personally?  After COVID-19, graffiti has been more embraced. The freeways aren’t getting buffed, and a lot of business have become Bandos/penates so it’s been easier to paint. It’s a wild time to be alive and a part of the graff culture. I have the privilege of hearing the stories from the OG writers and I’m mindful of the vital influence I have on the new generation of writers coming into The MTN Shops. Read what eight international female writers had to say about their experiences on International Women’s Day 2022. 
Listen to playlists curated by Asya, Mukie and Glitter Riot here.
by mtn-world via Montana World

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This Painting HACK will BLOW your MIND!

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WRITING, SOCIAL NETWORKING AND HELPING REFUGEES WITH HONEY BEEBS

The last artist that we feature in #mtnwomensmonth is Honey: a style writer who divides her time between Berlin and Madrid. We talked to her last year as part of our Real Talk series, and this year we asked her to produce a piece that was published as a reel on our Instagram page.

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We know you don’t speak for all female writers, but how do you personally see the graffiti scene in 2022? Yes, I can only speak for myself since I obviously do not represent the whole female graffiti scene. Everyone has their own issues, goals and motivations. It is obviously still a super male dominated scene, but it’s cool to see more and more girls doing graff as well. I think we still have a long way to go when it comes to equality and putting an end to discrimination, sexism and stereotypical prejudice. Do you think it’s common not to have parity of genders at events? It’s common because there’s simply more men that do graffiti. It’s impossible to do a 50/50 line up. That wouldn’t be fair either because then you’d have to include women that aren’t as good as male writers who then could not participate. It’s a thin line indeed… Supporting and pushing female writers without granting them an unfair advantage. But in general people are becoming more aware that female graffiti writers exist too and I would love to see more women at jams and events. It’s hard to strike a balance between inclusion and tokenism. Absolutely. Inviting someone “just because they are female“ isn’t fair. Hosting a jam without including female writers isn’t cool either… Guess you’d have to find the sweet spot. But like I’ve mentioned - I see more and more girls at jams and that’s awesome!

"I always thought that girls could be just as good as guys in almost every discipline. I guess I still kind of want to prove that to myself :)"

Do you think the desire to write your name is a male instinct? I don’t know. I would have to think about it… Not necessarily. I do feel the need to leave my name here and there and I don’t think I’m driven by “male instincts” :) I think there are more women that paint characters or artsy stuff rather than letters. But that could also be because they are intimidated by the scene and because it takes a while until you reach a good “presentable” level with letters maybe!? Why do you paint? What drives you? Good question. I’ve been questioning that sometimes when painting in Germany in the winter - afraid to lose my fingers to frost bite :D When I start something, I want to do it as good as possible. For sure it was a motivation for me when I realized there weren’t so many female writers, especially doing letters. I grew up with my mom, my sister and my grandmother. There were only women in our family. Strong women. And when I was young I was mainly doing “boy stuff” like playing soccer, basketball and skating. I always thought that girls could be just as good as guys in almost every discipline. I guess I still kind of want to prove that to myself :) Painting has become such an important part of my life and it fulfils me.

"I always had a very strong sense for equality and justice. And I can’t keep my mouth shut when I see people, especially vulnerable groups, being mistreated in any type of way."

Let’s talk about Instagram. You did a reel for us that was really well received. How do you feel about the platform, in general? Instagram is ungrateful. I think it’s a bad platform for artists. If you want to produce good quality content, you can’t post every day. But if you don’t post every day, the algorithm doesn’t like you anymore and your posts will be shown to a smaller audience. I had to stop painting for a while because I hurt my arm, and since then, my videos and pictures get 20-30 % of the reach that they used to get. In order to get back to the reach I had before, I’d have to post every day. But not just pictures - you have to become an “entertainer”. I’m not going to do TikTok dances in front of my pieces :D Instagram a great tool to stay in touch with friends and get your art out into the world. But I think it’s more and more important that we don’t focus on the numbers. If you don’t get as many likes as you’d expected, it doesn’t mean your art isn’t good. One of the last pieces you did was in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Why did you want to show support? It’s not just the Ukraine. Whenever I feel there’s a group of people that are being treated unfairly, I show support. I did it with Syria and Palestine too. If I have the time and the energy, why shouldn’t I? I always had a very strong sense for equality and justice. And I can’t keep my mouth shut when I see people, especially vulnerable groups, being mistreated in any type of way. I heard you were volunteering to help the refugees too. Since the war in Ukraine started, I’ve been volunteering almost daily, yes. So, I’m doing my normal 9 to 5 job and then I go to the main train station in Berlin where 10,000 refugees arrive every day. I’m coordinating the volunteers there and helping with PR. What state do the refugees arrive in? It’s really different, but it’s sure to say that all of them are tired, because most of them have been traveling for three or four days without sleeping properly. Some will definitely need medical or psychological help. But unfortunately, the Berlin senate isn’t helping as they should, and it’s frustrating. However, I’ve noticed you can really make a change, even if it’s just for one person. I’ve managed to coordinate housing for a couple of people, we help with train tickets, registration, give out meals… There was one family that will stay in my mind forever - they had been sent from one mass accommodation to another, and they were about to go to go back to Ukraine, because they were just so exhausted. I happened to hear of a property management that was offering accommodation, so I contacted them and arranged space for the family to stay for an unlimited amount of time told them not to get on the train back to Kiew. They were so, so happy and relieved :’) I could tell I changed someone’s life for the better in that very moment and that’s the reason I go there almost every day. Read what eight international female writers had to say about their experiences on International Women’s Day 2022. Listen to playlists curated by Asya, Mukie and Glitter Riot here.
by mtn-world via Montana World

Don’t know about that

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Frecciarotta vs Frecciarossa

Fra-Biancoshock recreated the italian Frecciarossa, in a decay version ’frecciarotta’. (fyi: rotta in italian means broken).

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Eye balls

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There are black kids in the future

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FIRE AT WILL: MR. SORK

• Name: Mr Sork
• Crew: REDRÖM
• City-country: Germany
• Active since: 2006
• Favorite surface: wall and paper
• Personal motivation: Let your creativity run wild and create new letters over and over again.

by mtn-world via Montana World