Hello

[Jean Kelly]

Hello Justin,

I've visited your site and am truly fascinated with your work. In Madison there has been a war on "graffiti" art, and my husband and I have been right in the middle of it. My step-son was the #1 villian, criminal, arch-enemy of the state, evil-doer, and all around nasty person for the crime of painting works of art on ugly buildings. Now he's getting paid to do the same work.

Your work is so strong in composition and originality, also the social commentary is thought provoking and heartbreaking. I'll show your site to my step-son, I've been pushing him to get the fine art training that he needs to take his work to the next level. Welcome to the forum, I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Jean

[Justin Kaufman]

Jean,

Thanks so much for the warm welcome! My mother had to put up with my graffiti evil doings as a younger lad, so I'm sure Icompletely know what you're going through. I have to say that to some degree graffiti saved my life, as I probably wouldn't have pursued the arts without it.

I come from a part of the country where the arts weren't too prominent, and spraypaint murals were the best way to get one's art out. If not for graffiti, I would probably be dead or in prison, with most of the people I grew up with. It is a solid foundation for making art, as it encourages deftness and confidence more than a lot of mediums, as well as the added pressure of it being a public activity, exposed to the eyes of the world throughout its creation. I must admit I still enjoy it from time to time, but I only do legal pieces now. I hope your stepson continues his artistic training, as we need more Graffiti artists in the fine art world, as well as the production art field!