Graffiti, Foliage and Fathers

I spent a little time in San Diego last week and enjoyed consistent sunshine and a quick peak into the city’s art scene. I was inspired by the use of nature in design, the ease and beauty of public transit, and how graffiti art could influence an entire community. Though San Diego is blessed with weather that invites a close relationship between architecture and the outdoors, I was still tickled by the stretches of sidewalk cafes, greenery covered walls and sprouting benches. Even one of the nightclubs we went to was crawling with foliage and oh-so-whimsical umbrellas, open and hanging from the ceiling.

A cross-scetion from the Graffiti Art installation in San Diego. All photos by Carly Rubach.

The graffiti art that we saw at Writerz Blok in Village Creek was a highlight of the trip. Writerz Blok is a large plot of land with several billboard-type canvases designated as a creative outlet for the area youth and community at large. This nonprofit encourages youth to tag legally on the Blok instead of vandalizing other buildings and businesses. The result is colorful and stimulating.

We were all encouraged to try our hand with a can, which I’m sure was hilarious for the skilled graffiti artists to watch. As we headed out, I wanted to bring home a piece of this project, so we asked for any scrap boards they had lying around. Five minutes later, one of the guys is helping us pull layers and layers of paint off an old board. We have a few pieces, each about a half-inch thick—every layer a different artist. These will surely surface in an upcoming project.

The entrance walls to one of the bars we went to later that day was coated in a thick ground cover. They reminded me of the Woolly Pocket that I have yet to incorporate into my space. This genius invention allows you to hang a flat pocket on your wall and grow plants indoors. You can create dramatic effects with multiple pockets, or start with one to grow all of your handy herbs for the kitchen. That latter is my current mission.

While I was having all this fun and getting inspired, I missed the lovely Father’s Day festivities that took place at my parent’s house. I planned on gifting my dad with a project that I had been working on for a few weeks, but I just couldn’t get myself to make the finishing touches. So, for my project today, I shall reveal to you this long-overdue painted guitar art.

And this is my second attempt! I painted a guitar for my dad about two or three years ago and brought it to my home in Chicago. I left it in the car overnight with the doors unlocked because until that point, there was never any reason for worry. The next day, I went to grab the guitar to present to my dad and it was gone. My iPod was still in the car along with some other random gems, but the guitar—gone.

You can make your dad one for next Father's Day.

So, I am protecting this one with all of my might—force fields and the like. I decided to go with a bold background design and keep the foreground somewhat simple. My dad and I recently discovered that one of our favorite songs is “Mystery Girl” by Roy Orbison (written by Bono—thanks for the nugget Paul), so I wanted to incorporate lyrics. I used an old Beatles chord book to cut out the letters and the profile silhouette. I then used Gesso to adhere these pieces to the guitar.

I took a paint brush of Gesso to the guitar where I was going to apply the letters. I positioned them quickly and then went over them again with the gesso. There’s not much of a how-to for this one.

A few tips:

-Make sure you sand and prime your surface so the paint will stick better.

-Apply an acrylic sealant or some other protective coat once the guitar design is complete.

-Use painter’s tape to avoid getting paint on the bridge, neck or sides of the guitar.

-Frequent your local Goodwill or other thrift store. Classical, children’s and other acoustic guitars will show up if you check in often enough.

-Use old books or music sheets and get your collage on.

I wish a very happy belated Father’s Day to my dad, and I hope that I get this guitar to you before you read about it.