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Welcome!

Welcome to the graffiti informational website, where you will find information on the basics of graffiti and the ideas behind it. Let's get started!

Well, a little background history on graffiti, is that it began in New York City in the 70's. Though the original "old school" styles and big graffiti legends didn't emerge until the 80's. There are currently many styles of graffiti, such as West Coast style (hispanic influences), NYC old school style, European style, New School, etc.

Every graffiti artist has a pseudonym or word that they use. Typically, artists try not to the same name of a previous or already well known graffiti artist, but sometimes it does happen, and when it does, often the person will add a number (or numbers) to the end of the name.

Now, there are three main ways that graffiti artists "get their name up."
  1. Piecing
  2. Bombing/Throw-ups
  3. Tagging
First there is "piecing" (shortened and taken from the term, masterpiece). This is the impressive, often colorful or intricate graffiti done with spray paint, that people often like a lot. Usually it takes an artist a few hours to complete such works. With piecing, it is almost completely about the artist showing off their own original style and skill at the art. Other artists take many things into consideration as far as can control, color schemes/choice, how well the style flows, as well as other things.

Second, there is bombing. Bombing is often done with spray paint as well, however it is often considered a lot less attractive then a piece to the average person. Bombing starts to become more about how much the artist can "get up" and put his name up over the city. Often it is quickly "thrown up" onto a wall if it is in a city or urban area, you do not have the leisure of time like you do with a piece. Now with pieces, an average person can pretty easily judge a good piece from a bad one. However with bombing, I believe for the most part that other graffiti artists are the only ones who notice the style and if the person who threw something up and if him or her has talent or not.

Thirdly, there is tagging, which is a very basic form of bombing and graffiti itself. It can be done with spray paint, but is often done with very permanent paint and ink based markers. This is probably the lowest form of graffiti that society detests the most. It is pretty much completely for the sole purpose of getting your name up in the city, and letting other graffiti artists know who you are. Though, there is still an art, if you will, to the handstyle of graffiti lettering. Some graffiti artists say that if you don't have a good handstyle, then you have nothing at all. So in some ways, it is the foundation of the bombing and the piecing.
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