there are 159...

...missed moments to share.

2011-12-29T12:58:00.000-08:00

Hello blogspot, its been a while. I traveled the distance equal to earthes circumference since the last time I wrote here.

blank spaces on my wall.

2011-01-18T03:18:00.000-08:00

Filling empty spaces in my room with artworks, photos and doodles. The space around you becomes more interactive.

Thats essentially what we do on streets, we make walls to interact with public. It is volontery social work that isn't always apriciated by society itself.
Anyway, we learn to live with it, but then at some point we stop doing for others and start doing for ourselfs, for our own leisure. The messages become bleeker or desappear at all.
It's not bad or wrong. It is great to do what you like.

The following year I am going to explore deeper into essence of graffiti and what it is for me.
Big promise, huh?
well we'll see.

Anyways.
I have a couple of flicks to share. Murals that i've done in a last 2 month.
One of my favorite piece in this style. It ain't perfect but needed effect is archived.
Done with Curve Sage Phex and Italo. South Auckland. Middlemore. Thanks to Dean for inviting and supprting us.
On this wall I used paintbrush first in a very long time. All tags aro done with it, + bits and pieces in the face and background. At that point I was stoked by resuld and desided to use it more in future.

I went to Christchurch for Christmas and New Years for a couple of weeks. Unlike last year I did manage to get in contact with local writers to paint with them.
The first wall we done is at the cooles spot possible. Nice clean wall right in a heart of town. Painted with Fluro (FDKNS x SUG) who was working on it for a few weeks already. I've done my part in about 5 hours or so. Highly enjoyable painting.
I have description of wall on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/30965123@N06/5308411553/ so I shall not repeat myself.

Next day me Fluro and EyeQ paint in abandoned sheds. Really cool place. There are so many pieces good and bad. Good times. I did an outline for Fluro, she has quite difficult letters to work with.
Anyway, it was a pleasure to hang out and paint with them. In the time like that the only thing you can think of is "Graffiti is awesome".
It trully is.

A few days after I came back to Auckland, me and Italo were invited to paint out south again.
Cool spot. And boiling hot sun.
I aprroached the wall with a very few cans and a rough idea of what I want.
It turned out quite good. Needs more invistigation thou.
the letters inside face says ARFS, which is the name of crew I recently joined. Very proud to be part of it.

Than I had a week of sitting at home, scetching, learning screen printing trade and doing nothing.
It was well not sure how to descibe it. Was difficult. I found out that I can not sit and draw for a few days straight. I believe its becouse I never had a chance before. All sketches, stencils and painting are done at night when I was free of Uni. Well now I am free 24/7 and I am trying to cope with that.

That week ended with painting at manukau with a whole bunch of people.
The sun had no mercy again.
I found my self having the least paint ever. Sad but good becouse I am forced to try new things. maybe I am just being an optimist. This piece disturbed me out of my ballance. In my oppinion it isnt good. I failed to portray what I wanted and my skill wasn't up to my own standards. I rushed it. do not like when I have those time limits.
However there are certainly a few elements that I will use again.

That is all. Directions are set. The evolution of my characters is inevitable.
Piece
159

...brilliant ideas to be forgot.

2011-01-02T03:26:00.000-08:00

Usually it happens just because I don't right them down straight away.

I have not yet stepped into 2011.

There are still certain things that hold me back.

Need time and sleep.

I shall start with sleep first.

2008 Vladivostok Russia

... things to be done on average Thursday.

2010-12-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

Updating is one of them.

Since BBQ burners I had barely any paint, still I managed to paint quite a bit. And loose a few kg, I wonder if there is any connection.

I've done two solo murals, alone in piece. They are different, well they are an interesting stage of progress. Remarkable.

They are just next to each other.

They are so far away from what I used to do 1 year ago. its good

Next, me and Italo painted with Finer and Bles out South. Inside the shop.

I finished that portrait surprisingly quick, 3 hours. However I should have spend a bit more time to fix the eye problem. anyway. it was fun.

Shortly, me and Italo painted at Bob Hill skatepark. Coolest place. Cant say the same about people. I do not posses my ipod any more. Anyway. here's what we painted.

There is more to share. Stay tuned.

... freshest ideas explored at Netch park.

2010-11-29T02:21:00.000-08:00

Alright. On 20-21 of November Auckland saw Ironlak BBQ Burners. I was invited to be one of the 17 artists to work on a massive wall. Line up - 159 REKO ASKEW OCHE SNEK KERSO STRAY BLES HOLIE SAVES SHAKE PHAT FINER DIVA BLAT JAES and VENTS. It was surely a great day, despite the rain trying to spoil it. We had music, food and a.. well an audience. I was as prepared as I usually. I've dona a sketch at 3am in a several hours was already painting it. As usual I did manage to find time for taking photos, here they are.

Looking forward to see photos from Luke and video if such will be done.

Piece to everyone

159

things to argue about with Italo Osorio.

2010-11-12T22:50:00.000-08:00

Me and Italo aka Holie did a wall over two days at GI.

The weather was merciful and it stopped raining just when we arrived to spot. The spot itself is a dream. We didn't have much of a concept, except color combo.

Good practice. I'm happy with outcome.

Holie's website - http://theholie.com/

and flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/osorioholie/

things to like about painting with other writers.

2010-11-08T17:13:00.000-08:00

2FLASH MORE PHAT1 JAES HOLIE STRAY SAVES

I apologize for revers order of pictures.

things done over October.

2010-11-05T02:46:00.000-07:00

WOW did I say September was busy?

well guess what? it looks relaxing comparing to what I undergo in October.

It was truly intense, exciting and exhausting month.

It was full of architecture, photography and graffiti. Just as I like.

I should have written stuff down right after each event, but there were never enough time. Now I face difficulty of remembering details dates etc. And it happen to be very late at night so I gonna live photographs do all the talking. I know i know its cheating. Promise I will write something long and clever next time.

Peace to Saves, Holie, Sem, Rimoni, Askew, Vans, Revok, Rime and Jaes.

159

...other things I should be worrying about than blogging.

2010-09-28T03:10:00.000-07:00

So much stuff done over September, what a busy month so far! Painting, Uni, painting uni etc. Several assignment are behind but there are a few more to go. Need to find strength to make that final push and do it. There are many design opportunities are flying around me and all I need to do its just to reach out and grab it. But certain compromises has to be made and some project will have to wait a little.
Yes, I still manage to paint every weekend. However my stash and financial support is running low therefore at some point I'll need to take a break.
Anyway, here is two pieces, one with Holie and another just by my self.

I have not painted letters in a very long time. Recapping necessary skills takes a while. but it turned out good after all.

Quality. Thats the way to go.

Solo. Freestyle. The plan was to finish up all scraps. Had no dark colors at all. So I had fun trying to figure out how to make it legible. I thing I've almost archived it but background turns out to be inappropriate. I like the letters tho.

And a few action shots that I got from Italo.

Oh I have just realized that I haven't slept yesterday night finishing my assignment. I better catch up on that sleep.

piece

...people that I look up to.

2010-09-18T04:35:00.000-07:00

For the last 7 weeks I've been painting every weekend. Extremely happy that have such opportunities. 2010 is very productive so far, lets keep it that way.
During my trip to Russia I've started a new chapter in my style evolution. I am moving away from photorealism to more abstract, animated characters. Busy exploring geometry in human faces. All is very exciting and infinitely interesting. I see how my architectural background influence my graffiti. It is just fascinating.
Anyway. Here are the walls I've done.

Solo wall that I've been working on for 3 weeks. I focused on background and effects.

Wall with 2TONE and Holie from Brasil. Good day. Good pieces.

Teamed up with Holie again. Very enjoyable paint.

There is more to come. Stay tuned.

...things that shouldnt stop you on your way up top.

2010-09-18T01:03:00.000-07:00

Respect. What is respect?
Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected. (from Wikipedia)
Due to certain circumstances I've been thinking about this subject.
I'm talking about respect within Graffiti society.
Some writers in NZ keep reminding me that there are significant differences between the place where I came from and where I live now. Why I do know unspoken rules of Graffiti regarding respect and some not? Why do I respect others and some do not?
I'd love to find those answers in my biography.

I came from the small russian town, counting about 100 active writes today. Back at the early days, when I just started that number was ofcoarse smaller. Graffiti culture was born in late 90's and had grown significantly in early 2000's. Young movement of brave artists who swoped pens to cans started to master the art of Graffiti. Most of them were teenagers or young adults. As time passed more and more people get involved.
In 2005-2006 I got interested in all new and exciting form of art. I was alone, none of my friends were into it. One day I found graffiti online forum dedicated to my city. Thats where my education began. I've learned that I am not the only rookie in town. I came up with own division of graffiti scene in my city. I see it as "generations". Each generation has people that started painting in the same time. There were a few before me and novadays - one after me.
The forum was a great thing for everyone, it kept us in contacts, older writers tought young ones about essential moment of our bussines, gave comments to each other, etc. Those who came before me were mighty-mega-awesome-post-humans ( almost gods to me ). I listen, read and absorbed everything I could. I had 100 scetches before each wall I painted. That was the right way. Time passed, I got to know people, many people. All of sudden I found my self in a middle of boiling stew of writers. Young, creative and adventurous.
All of us new those rules - "Respect the ones that came before you, respect each other, respect architecture".
I was never into bombing, exept.. well except a couple of ocasions. Therefore all the crazy action passed me by while I was peacefully painting legal walls. I do understand Bombing fenomen, its just logic and precaution are always stops me. (.. well exept those few times that I mentioned earlier ).

2008, there I was, young writer, that had a few years behind him, known his city, still shaping his style. By that point I already did not see a point of those "mini street wars" that every citisen had to see everyday.

Just a note here - its very hard to tell about what I felt a few years ago, because my present feelings alarm in my head, making my writing bios. I am doing my best to recall everything as it was. I shall continue.

That infamous forum survived and at some point I was a moderator there. That was a time of a new generation. It was a perfect opportunity to influence them in a right way, to pass the knowledge and be part of shaping graffiti scene of my town. I always took it seriously, and as I see now my efforts were not meaningless.
I tried to be an example for kids. And after 1000 repetitions of rules of respect they have really became part of my identity as a writer.
Presently, I follow simple rules. I always look for a fresh, untouched wall. I do not paint over a person whose piece is good. If worked is covered with tags and unreadable than I may go over it. and so on. I try to strictly follow my own rules.
So that is me, and I thought I am decent writer until I met Italo aka Holie. He is a writer from Brasil and his view on respect are like mine but twice as more noble.

Back to NZ. I do not really know how to describe local scene, it is different. They have different, unique history that affect every writer here.
Therefore I might be completely wrong in my judgments or assumptions.
Anyway. All pros are alright, they are mature and wise. I believe most of them will share my points of view.
However younger writers are a bit of a worry. Painting over someone without an acknowledgment is a norm for some. Simple politeness is absent. etc.
Maybe I am bios because I judge them basing only on my own experience? well... maybe.

When 3 hours ago I sat down to write this post I wanted to express all the hatred that I feel towards some individuals. However, sitting down and writing things down helps sort out your thoughts and kind of double checks them.
I guess I was emotionally disturbed but now I understand that I might make things look uglier that they are.

Bottom line of all that is written above?
I wish I knew. I guess it was necessary to get rid of these thoughts and store them here.

PS
one flick from past

Trip To Mother Land 2010

2010-08-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

... places I wished to go, but never managed to.

I am back from my trip to Russia, I also spend a bit of time in China and Korea. An intense time.

Time... fascinating thing. so hard to control, so hard to make it work for you. Time never stops, perhaps people should learn such quality from time. To keep moving forward.

During that trip once again I realised one simple thing.

To value the time and never waste it.

To make the best of every day.

Last sentence sounds like a logical end of post, but i'll cary on.

The photographs below are the murals I've done at my homeland, not only in a city that I was born but in a few different locations. enjoy.

I've already painted here, exactly a year ago. There were a few reasons to paint it over. By far thats the largest mural I've done. I cannot say that this is my best piece, but I certainly like it. It took me five days under an intense sun to complete it. good people arond me made it bareable and enjoyable. Suprising support from locals.

There are so much to work on.

I've also played around with few styles that were in my head at the time.

I wouldn't say that it was a success but an interesting experement.

an outstanding piece, were the architecture is used to push the idea into 3rd dimention.

I was at Nakhodha at that time<>

The first moment I saw it - I knew excately what I gonna paint.

That mass of cement is ectually was used in a WW2 as a military fortification against Japanise navy. It used to house two Guns of enormous calibre. I presume that the shapes of gunholes were the one to inspire me. At first I thought of Tiki, but the design progresevly changed thru painting. It became Taniwha.

Havent painted any letters (or in my case numbers) for ages. Need to catch up.

My next destination was Partizansk, small city relatevly far from Vladivostok. We went there to see relatives. One evening I went out in search for ruins. That city is a purfect for study of post soviet envirolment. I felt like a tourist and I loved that feeling. Architecture. I was always interested in it, and now I am using graffiti expose it.

I spent quite a while there, having to wake up at 5 am.

My researches brought me to the local hospital and that little premise of theirs. spontanios shapes and faces have chased me throught the whole trip.

I was the first graffiti writer to hit this city, by the evening I was widely knowen.

Back at home town, I finally met Kashak. very tallanted writer from Yaroslavle that moved to Vladivostok. We went to paint at his favorite place and I loved it. endless opportunities.

This time, I had a sketch of few lines and drive to novelty. I finished it in 10 hours or so. Enjoed the process. I found that piece to be a base for further style search.

so thats it. time went quick. Good time, good people, good places.

159

2010-05-16T04:02:00.000-07:00

things are still to be discovered in downtown.

Some photos from down there.

I've started to enjoy black and white photography as I never did before.

2010-05-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

...hours of missing sleep over the last couple of weeks.

I've been quite busy at uni lately. An extremely interestig course but requires so much time.

Despite that I could not resist to paint.

Painted with Saves again, I steped up higher. We both tryed something new, defferent colour palete,different forms. The mural has its own story as any other.

Best told by Saves :

'no this is private property' ...but where not painting your wall...'but you have to stand on my property to paint it' ...etc etc

anyway here it is.

WERT159 ДВРЪ (DVR) х SAVES ТМДЪ (TMD)

2010-04-14T02:58:00.000-07:00

...things you can learn about yourself everyday day.

Sometimes I've started to write something here, than stoped, didnt feel like or was interupted, as the result save what is written so far as draft. A while later sitting down to complete it, I read it thought and realise that the thing I weas so excited to tell is so childish and unimportant.

A step up for me as a graffiti writer.

It is not only a conclusion that other people make or you looking at a complite work, but it is what you feel in the process of painting. As for me, painting that piece I had a thought that has never came across my mind before. The thought and feeling of becoming so familiar with a spray can that you can compare it with a pen, are fascinating.

Another interesting moment - I found myself at a very specific stage of progress. Every new peace I paint is better than the one before. Maybe ut is natural for someone who've been paintig that little. I guess so, stiil it is pleasing to see yourself climbing upwards rathen than standing still or falling down.

There is always a room for a progress, and I'd like to keep the door to that room open.

Back to wall.

SAVES TMD

so do tell the story

08 April at 07:57 ·

WERT159

the story of the character?

I've bloged about left one - http://thereare159.blogspo

t.com/2010/02/blog-post_01

.html

and the right one is the same portrait but completed + plus there were a couple faces painted in between, therefore quality is better.

story... I'm working on it, He doesnt have a story to tell, I dont know his name or who he is, for me its a rear portrait that I found I while ago, personaly for me he represents a corrupted burocrat. Not a specific person but in general.

end of story

08 April at 11:14 ·

SAVES TMD

Ok I was thinking along the same lines, hes got that story about him :) cool

09 April at 08:18 ·

2010-03-14T01:07:00.000-08:00

...ways to spend money rather than buying a wideangle lense.

Still, I want it a lot.

Isn't it awesome?

right - done in May 2009 took me 8 hours to complete.

left - done in August 2009, took me 2 days to complete.

middle - done in March 2010. completed in 4 hours.

2010-03-14T00:34:00.000-08:00

... pieces of debris were in my eyes yesterday, while painting.

First of all would like to thank Ben Saves, for getting me involved in whole lotta things lately.

Glad that I know him.

There were a skate comp and graffiti demo at brownsbay shore yesterday. I was invited and let to paint. Along with 2tone and Berst we did three pannels each. Nothing really serious, still was excited to paint with them.

I've noticed that I have not painted without anyone rushing me this year. Not happy about it.

However, I in some ways depend on people who I paint with.

I wish I knew Auckland better, I wish I knew more people.

But most of all I wish to be able to work around all the aportunities that I come across.

2010-03-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

...has happened to me since the last post here.

So lets keep up with stuff.

Expirienced Parachute 2010, heaps of photos, lots of good ones.

Great music, great people, awesome atmosphere. We did a wall for World Vision, was cool to paint with crowd behind, it have been a while.

I would love to go there next year.

Next.

I've done 3 more art works. Track, trackside wall and a mural on my favorite wall.

Its always a pleasure to paint with Saves + new expirience of paint on track.

Inspite all the awesomeness it was bloody hard to paint on that surface.

Rushing as usial, luck of paint reflected the outcome. Overall - the work is fine, for a track.

My first letters in a year time. Semi happy. Pure improvisation exept letters outline.

I've spent 7 long hours on that on. Was finishing alone in a darkness.

Oh yeah, that mural is done with my mates from Germany Gritt and David and the guy from LA Gerrit. We were accomplished by kiwi writer Insane. Nice quite spot.

My last mural, fresh and sound. really happy with my progress.

I've maneged to finish this one in 4 hours. The wall painted with same guys.

Step up.

thats all for tonight boys and girls.

more stuff coming up soon.

peace

2010-02-01T22:13:00.000-08:00

...reasons to go to politics.

A little story starring me.

Wendsday 27 Jan, waking up in morning had an extreme need to paint.

Not a problem, plenty of paint, adequate number of caps, etc.

Opened a folder with a million portraits, chose a couple.

Printed, packed, made a couple of calls.

Arrived in downtown, met my mate.

Bought a few more cans and moved to a spot.

The spot is 20 minutes on bus from downtown and really famous, lots of peaces are done there weekly. I myself have painted there two times in a row.

I like that place, awesome view, quite, enought space, nice surface and most of all my girlfriend live in 10 minutes walk from there.

Started painting? some dudes are walking back in forth, no problem.

In two hours time I incidently felt on a pice of glass.

Sea of blood as expected, oh well ship happens, everyone knows that.

One my uncle told me a phraze: Trouble never comes alone.

And so it goes, I sat down to clean my wound and when I rised I saw two man.

One introduced himself as worker of City Council.

He came and joy left.

He briefly explained that we are braking the law painting here and that police is on the way.

Solid guy, I couldnt talk him over. I am standing bleeding and listening to him.

It turns out to be theirs property and blah blah blah.

Packed, He took photos of me pointing at my work, "evidence" he said.

Police came some time later, and took my details.

They talk to council gay for a bit and than confiscated cans.

They let me free, which I didnt expect to happen.

Police left with two boys who was tagging along the wall, leaving me and other boy without can and unfinished murals.

The council guy said that we were lucky not to be taken, he said that he respect our movement towards "proper" art, but thew way we express ourselfs is unacceptable.

I've talked to him for a long time, he gave me his business card and phone number, saing that if I want to "contribute something to city" I shall call him, the same thing if I want to pain somewhere.

Its cool to have his number, but I dont feel like "collaboration" at this stage.

So here I was, standing in the middle of the road, with bleeding through bandage on my wrist, with empty bag and unsatisfied passion to paint. Moreover, that was one of the very few spots were I COULD paint save and sound.

I lost a few dozen of cans.

I gain some experience.

My hand is getting better by the way.

2010-02-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

...reasons why I havent showed that photo earlier.

zeah zeah zeah

WERT159 x SAVES

2010

yo Askew Vans Sirum

Quite happy with the wall in general.

Tho would be glad to work on it for another couple of hours.

Still strugling with right side of a face and an eye in particular.

Hair is done in 30 minuts therefore quality is poor.

Its funny how its an average wall for him but something big and memorable for me.

While painting he asked me wether I am nervious or not now. I replied that "yes, I feel pressure a bit". He laught and said that I shouldnt, continuing by "Once I've been to LA and painted with Revok, thats when u feel nervious bro".

2010-01-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

...things I've learnt from mista Saves.

good day. good painting. good mural.

new spot discovered. new stories told. new connections made.

first peace in 2010. first peace with member of internationaly recognised crew.

Saves x 159

p.s. photos coming soon

2010-01-21T03:33:00.000-08:00

...applications for one photoshop function that havent been discovered yet.

Fooling around with familiar tools, too lazy to learn something new.

Fooling around, while should be studing road code or finishing commercial.

Just complited last mission in Half Life 2, dont know what to do now...

I guesse its time to back to work now.

2010-01-19T04:46:00.000-08:00

... things about Askew that I didnt know.

yap, met a legend. inspired. pleased to know him in person.

I bet, none of my friend back in Russia are gonna believe in me sitting next to Askew, Oche and Dyle having dinner.

But its not the point, its just endless excitement that needed to be shared.

Gonna work hard this year.

Gotta few things to work on.( Letters, Style, Concepts )

Peace, Respect, Love.

159

2010-01-11T02:24:00.000-08:00

...reasons to go to Tauranga again.

In 2010 I hope to do a lot of travelling around NZ and globe.

There are a few destinations that I want to visit: Queenstown, New Plymouth , Taupo and so on.

Travellng is a great source of idias and inspiration.

on the photo - mt. Maunganui 2009

2010-01-10T00:45:00.000-08:00

... impretions of Christchurch.

Spent 9 days in Chch, had a lovely drinking procedure on new years night in a nice company.

Met her family, almoust all of them. Hopefuly left positive impression.

Also spent a couple of days in Hanmer Spring, willing to come there in a winter time to ride local mountains.

Together, with two cameras, three lenses and one flash we have taken around 1500 photos.

Learning something every day.

Practice practice and practice again.

.

2010-01-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

...hours spent with her.

My new sourse of inspiration.love.

.

2010-01-08T23:37:00.000-08:00

... more things to tell you.

I want to introduce u my alterego - WERT159.

I dont have long fancy story of my nicknames origin, its just happen to be so.

I've been painting for about 4 years.

Streets of Russia were my art studio.

I paint portraits and characters in general.

Letters take place too time to time.

Have done lots of stuff that could lead me to police office.

Havent done any during my presence in NZ.

Like making canvases and stencils.

Love different media.

I've got a few links for u:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30965123@N06/

http://streetfiles.org/wert159

so u can look up some of my art.

Here I'll post only fresh stuff.

.

2010-01-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

...spelling misstakes to be expected in my posts.

well well, briefly about me.

My name is Uteev Mikhail Andreevich, born in USSR, grown in Russian Federation, presentelly studying in NZ Auckland. Moved here a year n half ago. English is ofcoarse is my second language, so please be a little bit tollerate)

Architecture, Design, Graphics, Photography and Graffiti are my interests.

I've been dreaming to become an Architect since I was 7.

My first SLR was Nikon D50, my new Nikon has two more zeros in the name)

I've been into graffiti since 2006.

thats it for a start...