By C. Esper
Stencils are usually not focused on a name as is the case with most graffiti, so they are free to cover a lot more subjects. Stencils often depict characters or people, although they can be political in nature as well. Anyone familiar with Shepard Fairey (OBEY) or Banksy, knows what stencil art is truly capable of.
While stencils aren’t as popular here as in other cities I’ve visited, I did manage to uncover a few local treats for your viewing pleasure. I came across good stuff on the east side and the west, although special mention goes out to the area around the Cleveland Institute of Art, apparently, where the students are busy after hours trying out what they’ve learned in class. Many stencils I found were only one color, although there were some with multiple colors, which is a more difficult process.
Another positive of using a stencil to apply public art is that you will produce the same results every time and quickly, because the detail is already done, so you can throw them up and keep moving much faster than if you were out painting in the field, so to speak. Covering more ground with less exposure to risk is a win-win for any guerrilla artist out there.
In the last issue I asked for any artists out there to let me know where the fresh new stuff is going down, so I can try to get it documented in Pink Eye. I am now opening up that opportunity to everyone reading this issue. Don’t be a passive observer anymore, get involved with this city’s street art revolution and tell me what you see out there. My email is x1944x@gmail.com. I expect you all to hit me up with some street art you have seen so that it can be shared with all of our readers. The gauntlet has been thrown down; let’s see what you got Cleveland!
