Group Hug: 2 Many Faces

Here is the fourth installment of Operation Eagle Claw! Now some readers may recognize this brick building due to the fact that I did a drawing of a 20mgwheat paste in the exact same spot. Needless to say that was painted over and wheat pasters from all over the City of Angels bum rushed this wall. With Shepard Fairy’s Andre Has a Posse along side Old Chola, Bandit and a few I don’t know the names for; this seems to be a preverbial Mickey Mouse Club of wheat pasters in Los Angeles. Due to the fact that this is part of Operation Eagle Claw one can assume that all this has been painted over…..and it has.

One of the things I realized while doing this drawing is that pasters in L.A. love faces. Whether or not this is positive or negative is yet to be determined, in the mean time look towards this video for guidance.

Location: Between 4th and 5th on your eastside while heading north bound.

Mullet or Optimus Prime (UPDATE)

(Thanks to Just Taking Space for the help. He tells me that he goes by Mullet or Graffism.)

Much like the time and craftsmanship one must commit to build their own transformer costume, Los Angeles’s Mullet is nothing short of Optimus Prime.

Arguably the most widely recognized wheatpaste in Los Angeles, this Mullet is someone who has been going to strong and doesn’t show many signs of stopping. I have been reluctant to post about this supposed bandit due to the fact that I can find close to information on the person, thus not being the resource that I hoped to be.

As far the wheatpaste placement itself, I like how he channeled the marketing scheme of commercial companies on buildings being built. Meaning that they paste tons and tons of what every their advertising, in this case there are 15 wheatpastes at this exact location. I sometimes wish that Mullet would expand his rhetoric, possibly bringing a second color. I know that he sometimes does one of his hands making “LA” which I am sort of into.

O.K. well thanks for reading my Xanga guys, I really appreciate it, and remember don’t lead Fred Durst on.

Location:The southwest corner of the intersection 5th and Spring in Downtown Los Angeles.

OBEY GIANT VACUUMS

Much like 12 year old Kyle Krichbaum, no collection of Los Angeles street art can be complete without Obey’s Shepard Fairy among the ranks.

Although Fairy is considered a “sell out” by some, he continues to straddle the line between street artist and corporate giant. He has essentially written the book on how one can comodify their art, capitalize on that, and subsequently take over the world.

This wheat paste in downtown continues his “Peace” series consisting of men in gas masks, desert scapes, and young women wielding heavy artillery. Although the underlying theme running through out seems a bit easy and hackneyed at times; war images juxtaposed with imagery of peace boiling conflict down to basic ideas of right and wrong. I still like the large scale of this wheat paste, not to mention the thick outlines that seem to channel mid century propaganda posters (another motif that runs through out most of his work).

So next time you are looking for the right vacuum, just remember that Kyle never gave up and neither should you!

Location: On the SW corner of 3rd and Central in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles

Rise One 79: Proud Parent

I think I speak for us all when I say that potty training a toddler is no walk in the park. From the constant need to chant, to ever tedious process of having to refill the red ball of confetti directly above the toilet; it is a situation in which only the biggest hearts survive. One heart seems to beat more proudly than anyone else, Los Angeles’s Rise One 79.

Active in Eagle Rock, Rise at times may seem like a frustrated parent; neglecting his or her kids or in this case, public. But much like a child who has suffered through an abusive relationship with one or more parents, I am thankful for whatever Rise One has to offer, however few and far between it may be.

Remember, the next time you “fall down the stairs” or “trip on a tire iron” to stay on the look out for this NE Los Angeles wheat paster.

Location: On the NE corner of Yosemite and Eagle Rock Blvd, 90042

Old Chola and TOOF: Team Rainbow

There is nothing more precious then teamwork. Seeing two kids come together, granted at separate times and unintentionally, to wheat paste the same electrical box warms me up inside. Los Angeles veteran wheat paster, Old Chola , and new kid on the block, TOOF, are holding it dooooown in Chinatooooown.

It has been interesting to see Old Chola’s evolution over the past few months. First, I would only see just the woman (see post number 7); then about two months ago much more poster like wheat pastes began popping up. When I say poster I mean the bust of the woman but behind her, spires shot out. Now with this piece, we see her incorporating her name which she has never done on her wheat pastes, just her stickers. Not only does she include her name but she puts it down twice, granted in interesting ways. I really like how she incorporated the “Mi Vida Loca” three dot tattoo on either side of the banner.

As far as the kid TOOF goes, I am fan. I like how well done the shark is and………as I have metioned here before……what makes street art successful kids??? WHEN IT IS ENGAGED WITH IT’S MEDIUM. Good memory; in this case when I say engaged with it’s medium I mean the electrical box not Chinatown.

So next time you are getting some dim sum keep an eye out for TOOF and Old Chola, goooooooo kiiiiiiiiiiiids

Location:Corner of College and Broadway in Chinatown

PN: Goin' 4 The Gold

PN gets maja props for crawling up into the under belly of 134 bridge 2 throw down. I would guestimate that this piece has to be a least at 85 feet off of the ground, not to mention that the area where it is pasted is not a cake walk to get to.

Discovering this piece made me feel like I had spotted Mew and was in turn that much closer to becoming a Pokemon masta. This is someone who I have not seen before but I can already tell that this kid has bright future of ahead of them.

Next time you find yourself searching for lost golf balls in Arro Seco canyon, look up and GO 4 GOLD!

Location: under the 134 bridge, along the Arro Seco, Pasadena CA

My Heart Pounds

Not unlike the much anticipated lunar eclipse that occurred last night, Los Angeles’s, Hearts Pound is someone who seems to be seen once every blue moon
.

The thing I appreciate most about Hearts Pound includes two things; first I like how he or she works monochromatically, using just a nice shade of maroon. Second, I appreciate how he or she is able to incorporate their name into the composition of the work. What I mean by this is that a lot of the time people may slap their names onto their work solely for recognition, not taking into the consideration the over all flow of the piece…Neck Face
I am looking at you (wink).

So next time you find yourself loitering under the 134 freeway in Eagle Rock, be sure to look up and pay respects to the cuteness of kid wearing clothes that are too big for him.

Location: Just south of the Figueroa exit off the 134 freeway in Eagle Rock.

Kely <3s Buff Monster

There is nothing sweeter than seeing two wheat pastes falling for each other. In this case Kely asks Buff Monster “Can I have you eat my Muff Monster?” Kely seems to be aware of the fact that the Buff Monster is keane on naked women; this notion driven home by the fact that he has photographed and done the artwork for a spread in Hustler (nsfw) (true).

One can only hope that these two kindred spirits find some sort of connection on their opposing sides of this electric box.

Also, the oldest women in the world, Yone Minagawa, died today at the age of 114.

Location: Near the Jack in the Box, on the southwest corner, where Drexel dead ends into Fairfax

M-BW Reaches For The Stars

Much like the guy who whips his dong out at the end of Teen Wolf, Los Angeles's M-BW is someone who can’t be missed. Utilizing large sheets of poster paper, M-BW wheat pastes stenciled images of famous people from around the globe in the heart of Hollyweird; providing us with what we all want……Super Star Sightings!

At first, I wasn’t the biggest fan of M-BW. Their 2-D stencils of starlets seemed a little trite and, overall, somewhat uninteresting. But then, I came to realize how prolific this person is. I mean everywhere you look, especially on Melrose, you can most likely find one of M-BW’s pieces staring back at you through their Bans. M-BW takes the notion of star sightings one-step further; for every five or so celebs, is a stencil of a cloaked man with a long lens camera waiting for his chance to snap a pic of some famous personality. Through their wheatpastes, M-BW completes the cycle between super celeb and paparazzi, how PO MO.

It is with this that I say “Thanks M-BW” for without you, droves of tourists on their double decker tour buses would leave Hollywood feeling empty, having not seen Harry Dean Stanton or even Michael J. Fox;).

Location: Northside of street near the intersection of Gardner and Melrose, Hollywood, 90036

TOM BOY=King of da Tweens

From street performers to transvestites, I think it is safe to say that we all love LIPSTICK….and NINTENDO.

With his finger directly on the pulse of youth culture, Los Angeles’s TOM BOY is wheat pasting his way towards King of the Tweens. His clean 8-bit aesthetic is so well rendered that Princess Peach might mistake this wheat paste for an item that fell out of her own PURSE!!

And with that, I think I speak for us all when I say, Pucker up Los Angeles, TOM BOY is here.

Location : Sports L.A. parking lot, 7753 Melrose just east of Fairfax.

NOTE: the word "location" is a link to the exact spot on google maps. This is true of all the other posts, just thought I would point it oout.

TAKE YR MEDICINE

This is Dream Weavrz, coming to you live from downtown Los Angeles, where the third wave of Operation Eagle Claw: A.P.P.L.B is in full effect.

When I used to drive up Alameda, I looked forward to 20mg’s large wheat paste on the side of a toy factory. Sadly the owner decided to paint over it. Now only grey scraps remain of this once grand narcotic. For solidarity reasons, I have resurrected this piece to its former glory for all to see.

Next time you are driving north on Alameda, make sure to say a prayer for our lil’ soldier.

Location: Between 4th and 5th on your eastside while heading north bound.

Old Chola’s First Corporate Endorsement

J/K, Los Angeles’s Old Chola is not the face of any current or future ad campaign; but if you ask me, something smells fishy...

Much like Seizer One, Old Chola wheat pastes essentially the same image over and over. In this case, Old Chola watches the front door of Zach’s fav place to snag fish tacos, Senior Fish. This paste will not be up for long; it is on a sheet of plywood soon to be removed once their remodel is complete.

So hurry on down to Senior Fish and tell ‘um Dream Weavrz sent yuh.

Location: 1st and Alameda, SW corner on Senior Fish, Downtown.

OZONE.........OYEAH

There is nothing I relish more than an intense visual experience. Ozone seems to agree with me. His wheat pasted image of a mutant man, seemingly melting from a lack of an ozone layer, channels a late eighties/early nineties skateboard decal aesthetic that is nothing short of radicool. The mutated human’s flesh tone has been replaced by an intense dayglo yellow accented by his blood red insides and caped by a blue earth, whose continents have been over exposed to a bright orange. Unlike some people who may be more blatant about their political ideas, and intern, less effective, Ozone is aware of the fact that subtlety is key. Ozone may not be Los Angeles’s most prolific wheat paster; this being only the second time I have seen one of his pastes (the first under the 10 freeway on Santa Fe avenue, now painted over), but any one who uses bright colors is o.k. with me. Ozone………..you had me at dayglo.


Location: Just south of Jet Rag Vintage Store, between Waring and Willoughby just north of Melrose on La Brea Avenue, 90038

Seizer One Loves You

When I think of Seizer One I think black, white, and face. And quite frankly, I’ve seen the face enough. But upon perusing 6th the other day, an electrical box showed me a different shade. Two feet in length, the ordinary photo-shopped shot of himself was bookended by a black heart proclaiming his signature and a red heart containing the words “Loves You.” Although he is sticking with the basic idea of what he knows best, it is refreshing to witness the bounds of an artist’s rhetoric being stretched to a warm and fuzzy new level. For that Seizer One, my bowels truly ache.

Location: SE corner of the intersection of 6th Street and Curson Avenue, due east of the La Brea Tar Pits, 90036.