Members of the legendary Bronx-based Tats Cru have been painting legal murals on a huge wall off Avenue A and 2nd Street for the past few years. I haven’t loved all of them. The previous two were too cartoonish and gimmicky for me. But the latest one — that I passed today — is working. My favorite segments are those by How and Nosm and the tribute to Sace IRAK Irak painted by Revok who joined the Mural Kings for this wall.

How and Nosm of Tats Cru; photo by Lois Stavsky

Revok Pays Tribute to Sace IRAK, photo by Lois Stavsky

Of Our Youth – RETNA • EL MAC from RVCA on Vimeo.

Mural giants RETNA and EL MAC recently teamed up for yet another epic creation, this time in Culver City. Their newest mural, titled “Of Our Youth”, can be seen on the side of Graphaids art supply store, on La Cienega between Jefferson and Washington.

The imagery and text used in this mural was inspired by their time spent at Skid Row, while painting their previous mural. The artists met a man by the name of Ralph Woodruff aka Chato and were inspired by this man’s past hardships, experiences and overall outlook on life. His ability to recognize his mistakes and atone for his sordid past was something that resonated with RETNA. The text which reads, “So today I’m trying to change a few things to rectify the situation of my past. So today I’m looking towards the future (of our youth highlighted)” is a quote taken from their conversation.

Following their live performance at the second Lawnfest Charity event hosted by Camilla Al Fayed and sponsored by Gallery Nosco, French artists Dran and Brusk from the DMV crew left their mark in East London.

Dran and Brusk actively painted a fresh mural day and night over the week end in Great Eastern Street. The collaboration depicts a dragon monster representing a CEO (still wearing his tie on) eating an employee, while Dran’s signature children characters are happily riding and laughing on his back.

More photos here

Photos by S.Butterfly

Well known for his larger than life murals, Mac recently headed south of the border to create this massive new piece in Monterrey, México. The piece can be found on the side of Monterrey’s MARCO contemporary art museum and is Mac’s first in the city itself. As for the guy in the Yankees cap, the portrait is of Régulo de Leon Santos, a parking lot attendant who works near the museum. Whilst there’s no explanation for the subject choice and I’m not incredibly sure as to why this guy caught Mac’s attention either, it may have something to do with Seres Queridos – or “loved ones” as it translates – the project Mac painted the mural for. Perhaps this guy helped Mac out in the parking lot?! We’ll never know.

Photos courtesy of Mac-Arte