Search

Get to know:-DREAD-, a DOPE Q&A with the Graffiti Crusher from The Mile High City! Come Take a

makindents
Oct 26, 2015
7 min read

It's really DOPE to sit down and interview good, talented friend's of mine. I am truly blessed and grateful to say I have a All Star cast of ILL Individuals who express themselves in such a unique way. I must bridge the gap, so other friends of mine who share the same interest can know about others they may not be hip too. Giving yall a taste of '21 Questions on The Writer's Bench' originally formed in NYC, a place where writer's would meet and check burners on the trains. build and draw in each other blackbooks and talk politics of the graffiti world. It was a good place to meet and greet with other writer's around the city. Now having a platform with my website, I can continue to show love and bring people together through Hip-Hop Culture.

My brother from another, DREAD, he's all about unity within the community! I met this bro around 1995 while working at a clothing store at the mall. we became instance friends and have been building a strong brotherhood for decades now. He's multi-talented, family and crew based, a brainchild to one of the largest graffiti event's in the state. Recognized by the city, him and his crew, paint up the place. he still carries his weight and creates opportunities for other's to express themselves with their craft.

On Nov 14th him and his squadrun embark on another funky art adventure as they open their NEW Art Gallery:FOURSITE (1405 Ogden St. Denver C.O.):A Gallery that's geared towards modern creatives, curating Art shows as well as walls ALL over Denver, plus your local Aerosols provider, They Do it ALL! Take some time out and get your read on, and get to know a little bit more about my buddy DREAD!, Much Love and Respects Always my friend, Never STOP Creating! Enjoy the 2nd installment!

1. DENT-Name and Crew's you rep!?

DREAD- My Name's DREAD- I rep ICR, GOD, and LOF

2. DENT-City and State you're from!

DREAD-From Denver CO.

3. DENT-How did you start making art?/Why do you make art?

DREAD-I started making art at a young age. My mom was a huge inspiration to me. I member her drawing us for class projects. My sisters and I watched Saturday morning cartoons as she sketched us. That was probably the only time I would sit still.

4.DENT- How did you develop your painting/drawing skills?

DREAD-my skilled developed over many many years. I hated everything in school but art. So I found myself at i school detention a lot. Where I could draw all day. I went to school for graphic design. I've also been trained in decorative painting "faux painting and textures" this next year I learned graffiti on the streets. Watching other artist paint, asking questions, paying my dues. I've been providing walls for people to paint for a long time now.

5. DENT: How would you describe your style? How does it stand out? Who influenced you coming up?

DREAD-Im not sure how to describe my style. I love 3d graffiti and portraits. I had many influences coming up. I loved comic books, image comics all the way! Locally Beast was the first Artist I met in Denver. Dude could bust out characters on the fly no problem. That inspired me a lot. Jher and Duble are also local cat that inspired me, just raw talent. Daim and Peeta, and artist that really take graffiti letters and flow to a new level always inspire me.

6. DENT-Tell Me the importance of being in a graffiti crew? Or should you be in one?

DREAD-being in a crew has its advantages and disadvantages. One you always have good heads to paint with. They support you and you can inspire and uplift each other. On the the flips side, members can often bring conflict and drama to you. You may not like everyone in the crew but it's worth it if your willing to put in the work.Same for any kind of relationship.

7. DENT-Explain the importance of being versatile as a artist.

DREAD- versatility is everything! Nowadays you need to kill it in everything you do. Some artist just do one style and kill it at that. But I admire artist that can do it all, letters, background and characters. Modern day renaissance men!

8.DENT- You've done a lot of major art projects around the city, please give me a couple of contributions you've proud of pertaining to your art.

DREAD-all the work done at "grow big supply" and all the work along Larimer street.

9. DENT-What’s your favorite piece of work that you have created? (Including a link and/or photo would be great!)

DREAD-a favorite piece is had to pick. This year it's the one I did with ZEHB on CHAC off 7th and Santa Fe. We collaborated on a huge goddess.

10. DENT-Have you been able to travel outside Colorado to paint and show off your work?

DREAD-I've been to California a lot, NYC a few times, New Jersey, Washington DC, Miami for Basel, and Iowa for the Homie As Phate's event called Color Codes. He has it locked down in Iowa!

11.DENT- What are your thoughts about the current graffiti scene here in Denver?

DREAD-the scene here in Denver is strong. I don't see as much bombing in the city as I did in the 90s and early 2000s. I feel like heads are still crushing it. A lot more focus on legal walls and trains nowadays. Heads are killing it in the trains.

12. DENT-Being the brain child behind 'Colorado Crush Graff Event' tell me how that came about and what was your mission, & the future for Colorado Crush.

DREAD-The vision for crush was to unite the graffiti and hip hop culture more here in Denver. To bring other artist here to see how strong we are. Denver has some amazing talent and I wanted to put it on the map. It's working, each year it grows and grows. I want to see not only graffiti heads but street artist painting. I like diversity and don't like discriminating. It should be a platform for all walks of the arts to come show the skills. We all come from different upbringings. Let's all build and learn from one another. Leave the judgment to the higher powers.

13. DENT-Do you still have to deal with a lot of politic's within the graffiti world? Since We know you can't always make people happy, even graff writer's.

DREAD-Man I hate the politics. I try to stay level headed and not feed into it. I stay clear of certain people just because of that. I try to focus one whats good and who's doing positive things. It's good to be informed on who's doing dirt but I don't want to focus on that. No need to give negativity attention. To much time is spent on that already. Each one teach one, let's uplift not downshift.

14. DENT- Respect is everything in Graffiti, has anyone capped you? (went over your piece) & been disrespectful? What is your thoughts of going over other artists on the wall? & Beef in the Graffiti world.

DREAD-Beef is always going to happen. People take pride in the work they do. Just try not to let the ego take over and be mindful of others. It's a delicate balance of being humble and maintains a scenes of pride.

15.DENT- If you could teach or tell the new generation of graffiti writers, what would it be?

DREAD-Be yourself! I would rather be unique and fail, then unoriginal and successful. We all learn different things and are inspired by different things. Doesn't mean anyone is any better or worse. Paint and let paint.

16. DENT-This next month is another excited venture for you and the crew with the grand opening of 'Four-Site' Art studio. Tell us about? Who's involved And what can people expect from this shop?

DREAD-Four Site is a paint supply shop and gallery. It's ran by myself any my closest brothers the ICR crew. You know who they are! You can expect to see a lot of real strong art being shown and produced here. We aren't just curating art shows. We can provide walls for artist showing as well. Me have a few other big things in the works. Some hush hush stuff!

17. DENT-Are you going to have any space or walls at 'Four-Site' for local artists to paint and design at? (similar to The Owl and the Orchid Walls?)

DREAD-we are working on obtaining a large wall behind the gallery. We allow full installations, where artist can hang art and paint on the walls. We also have a rolling wall for demos and live painting.

18. DENT-What is the importance of graffiti/street art within society? Has it saved your life?

DREAD-it's the voice of the streets! I Would love to see more of a political and thought provoking movement happen. Fight the system not each other. Send a message that makes people think.

19. DENT-What's your Graffiti Art-world pet peeve?

DREAD-People that think they know it all. Heads that just have this mentality that they are better then everyone else. You can have the illest style, but a shity attitude will just kill it for me.

20.DENT- Who's your favorite graffiti artist currently?

DREAD-To many to pick just one.

21. DENT-Any Last words? Shout out's?

DREAD-shout out to my boys ZEHB, Pisto, Pulp, and all my ICR family. Big thanks to Likeminded Art for all help this year at crush. Big ups to Reps for always being my big brother! Mad love for my brother Each, be happy be happy! Thanks for all the help at crush and at the galley Elvis! Don't forget to come check us out at Four Site Gallery. November 14th is the grand opening featuring the works of Taste! The shown is called Structure! Thanks to everyone that's helped or painted at Crush! Love you Denver! peace!!!!