“It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so make a few object beautiful; but it is far mor elgorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day – that is the highest of arts.” ~ Henry David Thoreau, from inside the cover of The Guerilla Art Kit
I have really enjoyed reading Keri Smith’s book The Guerilla Art Kit
“It is true that some of the exercises contained in this book may be considered ‘illegal’ by some. On a societal level, I question why it is perfectly acceptable that we are forced to look at advertising ona constant basis (on billboards, bus shelters, public restrooms, etc.), and yet something that is a form of personal expression (not created with the intention of selling us something) is deemed ‘illegal.’ I do understand that people have a problem with material and property being ‘damaged’ and so in my own personal practices I try to be conscious of using materials that are environmentally friendly and nondestructive.” (p. 22)
Join the movement. To get you started, Kerri’s book is full of the techniques and resources you need to begin your journey as a guerilla artist. Here are the top ten blogs by fellow guerrilla artists. May they inspire you to put your own art out into the world.
- Wish Jar | Kerri Smith. Kerri is the author of The Guerilla Art Kit and lists some great ideas on her blog. You can also participate in a community of guerilla artists in her comments section.
- Banksy. Banksy doesn’t have a blog, but you should visit his website just to be inspired by the images of his brilliant guerilla art. You can learn more about him here and here.
- Bearded Bunny Blog. William’s sticker monster art is hilarious and appropriate. I wish I could see it in person.
- GRRL + Dog. The Global Guerilla Knit-Up Challenge began here and started a knitting-meets-guerilla-art movement. See pictures from participants in the challenge here.
- Jafabrit’s Art. Whether she admits it or not, this girl is a guerilla artist at heart. She finds new and creative ways of putting her art out into the world.
- Purl Interrupted. Lauren is a guerilla artist living in London. I love her take on life and art and community. She “knit-up” at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Bold!
- Madly Creative. Lady’s P’s determined (and successful!) “yarn bombing” guerilla art just makes me smile.
- Guerilla Innovation. Sebastian Campion’s blog is like a newsfeed of the many creative, out of the box, guerilla art innovations going on around the world. Definitely bookmark- and RSS feed-worthy.
- SIT Projects. Guerilla art meets sustainability meets social in this installation by Paola Mojica and Daniel Clapp. Learn more about the installation here.
- Sam Morrison. Sam is an artist based in Michigan. You can view images of his guerilla art installations on Flickr and YouTube and purchase his art through Etsy.
One of the hallmarks of a true guerilla artist is plausible deniability, which unfortunately makes them a little difficult to identify and their work hard to share across the blogosphere. If you have a favorite guerilla artist, please post a link in the comments!
Related posts:
- Seven Tutorial Blogs for Creatives
- Art is Everywhere. This Week: Reverse Graffiti
- The Personal Value of Art
- What are You Doing for World Creativity and Innovation Week?
- Currently Reading: How to Be an Explorer of the World
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One of my favorite is the Pop Art Diva http://www.popartdiva.com/ – Terri not only is an amazing artist, she makes a mean martini (or several).
Thanks for a great list. Found you at ProBlogger Day 7 comments. I am excited to find such amazing people in Darren’s circle.
Have a great day,
Heidi Richards Mooney
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Thanks for sharing the link to Pop Art Diva, Heidi! I checked out her site – what fun!
There are so many comments on the ProBlogger challenge – thanks for taking the time to read them and to look me up! I checked out your blog, as well – very nice! Here’s to being better bloggers by May 6!
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I am loving this post. I live in a tiny little town where thinking outside the cliched box is frowned upon. I never see much “graffiti”, and if I do, it’s never artistic or thought-provoking (“Charlie wuz here” isn’t the most profound thing ever). These links are very refreshing and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Dee,
This is a really great top ten list, I had no idea that there were so many blogs inspired by Guerrilla Art Work. The White bicycle on grrl+dog is my favorite. You can post this to our site http://www.toptentopten.com/ and then link back to your site. We are looking for top ten lists and our users can track back to your site. The coolest feature is you can let other people vote on the rankings of your list.
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Callisto,
I know what you mean! Kerri’s “Guerilla Art” blog is great (and the book, too!) because it is full of ideas that are less controversial, things that I think I could actually do. And the Global Knit-Up Challenge is awesome. Some of the participants got really bold. Their comments made want to learn to knit just so I could join in the fun.
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One of my favorite guerrilla artists is Paul Curtis aka Moose. He actually cleans the grime off of city walls to make pictures and still is chased by police for – cleaning? I just think it’s a great testament to expression and environment and utilizing the resources available to you.
http://twoifbysee.blogspot.com/2008/07/reverse-graffiti-finds-brand-clorox.html
thanks for the great post – and so many great resources!
Kristy’s last blog post..Lost Tribes of New York City
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Kristy,
Thanks for sharing these links! I checked them out on your blog and love them. I hadn’t heard of Moose before, so I assume some others haven’t, either. I’m going to post one of the YouTube video’s on Wednesday. I appreciate the introduction!
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I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Joannah
http://windscreensite.com
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[...] me to the work of guerilla artist Paul “Moose” Curtis. She included a link in her comment on Monday’s guerilla art post, and I thought I’d go ahead and post one of the YouTube [...]
Joannah,
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I’m glad you enjoy reading the blog. Let me know if there is content you would like to see more of or less of – I’m definitely open to your feedback.
Have a good weekend!
Cheers,
Dee
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err, blush, I am actually a wee bit gobsmacked to be included in such a great list and I wanted to stop by and say thanks, AND ahem! okay I admit it lol! I thought I had better put together a slide show and phew! didn’t realize I had done as much as I had.
so thanks again and I had fun checking out the other links, some I already know and enjoy, but some new one’s too.
all the best
Corrine aka Jafabrit
Jafabrit’s last blog post..Guerrilla Art:Okay I admit it
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Jafabrit,
You’re too funny. I love your blog, and your art! I’m glad you made a slideshow. Very nice!
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Thanks very much for the mention.
My guerilla knitting alter-ego has split off from Purl Interrupted to http://www.whodunnknit.com.
Things are going to get knitted…
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I loooooveee the whole aspect of graffiti!
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