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Back on The Writer's Bench in 2016! Get to know-PISTOE- the Mile High Formulator, with some much

makindents
Jan 8, 2016
7 min read

As 2016 enters with a swiftness, WE continue to sit, build and grow with '21 Questions on the Writer's Bench here @ IAMDENT.com.Much LOVE to my bro's REPS who gave me this idea and DREAD for sitting down with me last year,to carrying on Hip-Hop tradition with a DOPE Place to learn about Graff writers from around the world!

Next up on the bench is one of my fav. people in The Mile High City. A monstapreneur of many diffferent traits and styles that go way beyond graffiti, and expands throughout the art world community. A business minded move maker, who focuses on family, crew and orginality! This brother stands with a great team next to him, always helping, and cultavating platforms for artists in Denver and worldwide. I met this good brother, 25 years ago, we've worked side by side together on many events, and he's helped me with countless graphic designs for my movement throughout the years. The good hearted, very talented homie of mine is definitely one of a kind! It's only right for me to sit down with him and chop it up with my bro for his 25th Anniversary of doin' and pursuing this graffiti/TAT2 lifestyle. Let Me introduce you to my good friend, PISTOE-

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

;PISTOE:- Pistoe ICR 156Allstarz

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

;PISTOE:-Denver,CO.

3. :DENT:- Rounding into your 25th Anniversary. What got you into this graffiti game? Who inspired you!?

;PISTOE:- In 1990 I moved to indiana. I went to a primarily black school. I didn't fit in so I kept to myself & drew all day. I used to draw these corny bubble letters & one day this girl Shameka noticed. She offered me a dollar to draw her name. Next thing I know I have a waiting list of 300 request. Someody wrote "Latinos" in these 8ft block letters on the school. I remember arguing with this kid that I could do better letters haha. Next day I was painting 6 color burns down by the trains in this hobo village. I didn't even know I was doing graffiti. I moved back to Denver in 92. Around 93' my friend Josh Wills had a source magazine. In the back it had a Lil half page graffiti section. I seen him drawing, basically copying this Tkid piece. That was the first time I realized that other cats were doing the same thing I was. I showed him some flix of my work & sketches. He showed me what bombing was. We came up with PAK crew that same day. That's how it all started.

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

:PISTOE:-I started making art in kindergarten. The whole class had to make paintings of cars. The teacher entered some of the art into a contest. I won 1st place & some art supplies. I thought it was fun so I just kept drawing.

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

:PISTOE:-I really started to learn artistic technique around 93. My boy Jakes dad, Dean Motter was showing us tricks & really pushed me to explore the world of art. Ray Young Chu really influenced me at that time, demonstrated consistency & showed me that art didn't just have to be a hobby. I really learned a lot from Joseph Martinez when lived together in 2009. I've learned countless things from Dread & continue to do so.

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

:PISTOE:-My style has been described as fundamental/traditional letters morphed with experimental Graff. I try to combine 2D & 3D elements, use unorthodox color combos & extreme line wieghts. I haven't really seen anyone else doing that. For me its all about doing something original. Writers that influenced me include: Loomit, Futura, Sen2, Mess, Daim, Omega, TKid, Cycle, Dream, Hex, Zodak, Phase2, Emit, Scien, Craola.

7. :DENT:-You are a very diverse artist- tell US your other techniques (tat2,graphic design etc.) does your other styles influence your graffiti? or vice versa?

:PISTOE:-I went to school for graphic design 99-2001 & I've done that ever since. My bread & butter is tattooing. I did my apprenticeship under Zehb. These mediums definitely influence my Graff & vice versa. In fact I'd say everything influences it.

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

:PISTOE:-Versatility is probably the most important attribute an artist can have. Particularly in Graff. You have be able to show up to any surface , space, weather conditions, pitch black darkness to full natural light & still rock it.

9. :DENT:-What was your greatest graffiti experience?

:PISTOE:-I'd have to say my greatest Graff experience was painting with my boy Bets SD12 from 96-2002. We primarily painted underground spots (bridges, tunnels, etc). We lived in the suburbs , & rolled with cholos. We didn't care about the scene or becoming known. We did this style we called uglies, basically adopted euro train writers styles & competed against each other to have have the ugliest letters but still make it clean & flow. There was no fancy paint or tips. Just 40 oz. & rusto. Another thing we did was Blizzard bombing. Get drunk, take our shirts off & bomb in a snow storm. One time ice cold silver dripped all over my right arm, I thought that motherfucker was going fall off. We were complete idiots but it was so much fun

10. :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. Tell us about your shops and businesses.

:PISTOE:-By far the largest project I've been involved with is Colorado Crush 2011-2014. Organizing artist, vendors, sponsors & music is not an easy task. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat though.

I've had my tattoo shop since 2012 & plans for another in spring 2016. I'm part owner along with my ICR brothers of a paintstore/ gallery called FourSite Gallery. I own a couple other businesses too.

11. :DENT:-Any serious graffiti injuries while out on missions?

:PISTOE:-I gotten all kinds of injuries on missions. My most memorable one is when I fell off a 2 story rooftop & landed on my knees. The homies had to carry me home. Nothing broke tho.

12. :DENT:- What is your fav. paint you like to use?

:PISTOE:-Currently my favorite paint to use is Kobra. Its controllable & consistent.

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

:PISTOE:-More recently i painted in Indiana, Texas, Nebraska & St. Louis. This year I'm headed to a show in Albuquerque, LA,Brooklyn, & Id really love to go to Pow Wow Hawaii.

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

;PISTOE;-currently I think some of best writers are in Denver. The city is really embracing mural art. There's a weird street art scene developing which I'm not a huge fan of. There seem to be a lot of relatively new cats peaking there heads out. Its cool I guess.

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

;PISTOE;-I would tell new generation of writers to stay humble & hungry. Its easy to get gassed up. I seen it a thousand times. Learn your history & respect those that came before you.

16. :DENT:-Any Good chase stories?

:PISTOE:-. In the beginning it seemed like almost every time I painted I was going to be chased. There were no legal walls in those days. We got chased out of a yard once, my boy Waks fell face first into a cactus. Dudes face looked like a hot air balloon for a week. Usually if anyone tagged along with me they weren't even writers & chasers were never cops. The last time I got chased my homie Was just like, "why the fuck we running from some regular fool?" Dude was so bored watching me paint he gladly accepted an altercation for entertainment. For some reason I went along with it. We basically Stopped, told that neighborhood hero to eat a dick & what was he going to do about it. Kick rocks or eat rocks haha. Pretty much how I handled anybody running up me ever again.

17. :DENT:-What are your thoughts about graff being done with roller paint, stencils , wheat paste, stickers etc!?

:PISTOE:-I like rollers, wheat paste & all that. I Dont personally use that stuff but hey, whatever it takes to get your message out there. Tools of the trade. Evolution of graffiti. I mean you wouldn't expect a carpenter to build a house with a rock & stick.

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

:PISTOE:-My pet peeve is politics & pretentious egos. I've been arguing this shit for years. Its more about who you rub elbows with than actual skill level. There's very little respect for actuall skill anymore. That's why you see a 2 year kid writer that never left thier own city flapping gums at 30+ year veterans, guys who been in books & to multiple countries to paint. The Internet changed everything.

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

:PISTOE:-. I've always viewed graffiti as the voice of outcasts ,The misunderstood & non conformity. Its important to have those that say fuck you, we are not part of your herd. Then again maybe its not that deep, maybe some fools just like to fuck shit up.

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

:PISTOE:-It changes daily but I'd say my favorite writer today is Scien. Im really drawn to that super clean, vector look.

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

;PISTOE;-I'll just say I am not a writer. I was a writer. I own businesses & have a family. Sure I paint murals at least once a month but I only do illegal stuff a few times a year. At least in the last 5 years anyway. I think to truly claim writer status you have to be doing more than that.

One time for Jeans, Reps, Dread, Elbs, Lex, Reds, Pulp, Taste, Zehb, Jero, Saten, Pour, Pager, Dulce, Waks, DJ Trikkanomics, Jabee, Cody Beastly, Criz, ICR, 156 Allstarz, ATR, SD12, OG PAK crew, Sen Wroxx, Bets, Caper, Verse, Skully B.

RIP- Busco.

Check out some Burners from brotha Pistoe, as We proceed with another DOPE year, sitting down with more ILL Graff Writer's! Bigg up's my bro, thank you for taking time out and coolin out on the writer's bench with me. Until next time.