Miami Graffiti Murals

The Beauty of Miami Graffiti

Miami boasts some of the most elaborate street art and graffiti murals. We are happy to be part of this scene. For over a decade now, we have actively created artworks that encompass many styles. One of those styles is Graffiti. Graffiti has a broad range of features such as lettering, characters and stencils. Many people often associate graffiti with vandalism. Many times graffiti artists will illegally spray paint on walls. The main goal is to generate fame from painting their names on the walls. Fortunately for us, we have been able to create graffiti on commissioned walls throughout our time working together but that was not always the case growing up

Graffiti in the early days

Ivette, a Miami native, created many stencils while attending college in Chicago. Her stencils would range in subject matter but she was mostly interested in political topics such as protests against war and propaganda. She would often go out late at night into dark alleys and one day she almost got caught. Feeling that she could get arrested and loose her college grants she decided to give it up and focus on school. Many years later, we have used her old stencils in our commissioned artworks.

A sense of nostalgia would often overcome her while working on projects. She never thought graffiti would make it this far. The art market today has embraced graffiti as the new contemporary artform. Many artists have gained international recognition aside from their street cred. Graffiti artists whose works where often deemed as unimportant are worth millions today.

The Miami Graffiti Scene

The Miami art scene ranges from classical to rugged wild style. We were fortunate to watch our neighborhood of Wynwood grow. Its open and unrestrictive street art gave way to an influx of visitors worldwide. The impact was so big that many cities across the world now try to mimic what was created in Wynwood. Miami graffiti was never pretty though. In fact, the art scene is a broad range of well done art pieces to fast name throw-ups in every nook and cranny around the city. The contrast is what attracted more and more artists. Within a few years many artists began to find fame in Miami. During Art Basel they would flood in to the city to get a wall to paint on. Eventually, artists skilled in fine art would visit and try to put in their mark as well.

Many art patrons often try to take credit for what was created in Wynwood. The core of its success lies in the grit that many of these artist put in to make it what it is. While we can name all those graffiti artists, the list would fill endless pages on here. Here are some of our artworks that have included graffiti. Investing in this growing artform can prove highly profitable.

If you are interested in commissioning artwork or collecting one of our pieces you can contact us here.

New Welcome to Wynwood Mural Completed!

Color Dreamers Welcome to Wynwood Mural

We had the absolute honor of working with an amazing brand Vivelo Bikes on our latest mural located near Wynwood Walls in Miami, Florida. The painting process took us about 3 weeks to complete. We used various art styles such of graffiti, posterization and classical chinoiserie to create the artwork. The client really wanted a vintage car with a bit of street art that represented the graffiti scene in Wynwood.

After a few concept design revisions we settled on a good color scheme that fit the brand and included some welcoming text for visitors to the area. We also added some palm trees in a chinoiserie style that really defines the Florida landscape of beautiful beaches and sun. Once we received final approval on the design we got to work. We gathered our spray cans and brushes and got ready to tackle this massive wall. During the process we met many tourists and visitors who we’re thrilled by our work and took many selfies in front of the mural as the work progressed.

We were so happy to work with a great brand that provides custom bikes as works of art for the community. We truly cherish our new friendships that has developed from painting this new mural and we hope that you visit when you visit Wynwood Walls in Miami.

Why Miami’s coolest neighborhood is Wynwood

Murals, public art and visitors

Wynwood Miami is one of the top art cities in the world due to its sheer number of public art and murals. The neighborhood spawned from local art galleries and studios to a massive outdoor gallery exhibition attracting visitors worldwide. The beauty of Wynwood lies in its rugged approach to art. Its public art and graffiti attracts a global art market to its streets everyday. Today, what started out creative grassroots efforts by artists working in derelict and raw warehouses has blown out to major companies inhabiting old art spaces.

As one of the original gallerist from the early days of Wynwood back in 2008, I have seen Wynwood progress and change overtime. The walls were revolving doors for international artists that frequented Miami during Art Basel, one of the world’s biggest art fairs in the world. Since then, Miami’s Wynwood Arts District has become a model for many major cities across the world. Cities worldwide are now hosting international mural festivals to attract the same amount of tourism. Wynwood attracts about 40,000 visitors monthly.

The role of artists

As Miami artists, we have also evolved with this artistic fluctuating city we call home. By taking part in painting these art murals we have supported the Wynwood street art renaissance. All because we believe in the powerful beauty of art and the message that it can convey to millions of people. We have continually natured our own artistic creativity. Additionally, we have nurtured the creativity of other artists by providing affordable work/live spaces in Wynwood when we established our side project Viophilia. The goal is to keep the art organism growing and multiplying. Inspiring more artists to join this artistic journey.

In hopes to bring our studio art form to the world view we formed our mural team many years ago. Throughout the years we have produced over 20 murals both nationally and internationally gaining recognition from many governmental organizations and national museums. Our artworks are now part of public and private art collections. We have worked in collaboration with major brands bringing the beauty of art to their marketing campaigns. The great thing about Wynwood is the ability to work simultaneously side by side with artists and companies.

The art remains ever-changing on these street walls. There are no banners, billboards or large flashing signs. Here it’s just the texture of brushes, rollers and spray paint on walls as new large paintings emerge from old murals.

Where Wynwood goes from here

We love this place and we will continue to add new murals to the coolest neighborhood in Miami for years to come. We welcome all to visit and enjoy these temporary street art, graffiti and murals that change each year. It never stays the same in this neighborhood and we hope to keep it that way. Vibrant, artistic, and always new.

New video of our mural time-lapse in Wynwood for Mana building

Wynwood Walls Color Dreamers Mural Aerial

Wynwood Walls Mural Time-lapse with The Color Dreamers

Check out our latest time-lapse video of our Mural in Wynwood Miami of supermodels Raquel Riley Thomas and Randi Dorsey.  This mural scales over 40′ feet high and 38′ and was created using acrylic paint. The entire process took over 3 weeks to complete using an aerial lift. The mural was unveiled in May 2018.

We used the height of the wall to give the illusion of a large open window on the wall that opens up to the sky. We created a linen texture with smokey hues of purple. We added the Florida Panther as a symbol of strength and courage and to pay homage to the beautiful wild species that is a beacon of Florida’s nature. The process was amazing and the final result has created a tourist attraction at the Wynwood walls. We are ever grateful for the experience and opportunity to continue to push our art to new levels.

We invite the community to visit the mural located at the Wynwood Walls 524 NW 26 ST in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. As we continue to create new works in progress across the nation we hope that you will continue to follow us through our journey. We are excited to share our work with the world and provide inspiration to communities and cities as they develop their art districts. This is our largest mural to date.

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Shot with Sony Xperia

Our sincere thank you to Ron Thomas and Raquel Riley Thomas. The Mana Contemporary team for facilitating the process and being helpful.

Wynwood Walls

Wynwood Walls, Graffiti and Murals in Miami

 

A true form of magic exist in Miami unlike any other city. It’s innovative  transformation has attracted visitors from all parts of the world to experience it’s captivating beach landscape and its artistic renaissance.  One point of interest that has changed the way we experience Miami and its ever changing art scene is The Wynwood Walls.  But before we get too ahead of ourselves,  first lets talk a little about the history of the Wynwood murals that created the fame for this small neighborhood we call Wynwood.

Wynwood has been dubbed the Art Mecca of the world and with good reason. Within just the course of a few years it transformed itself from a collection of derelict warehouses to one of the top tourist attractions in Miami.. Today, Wynwood houses over 2,000 different murals, graffiti and street art  that range over a 9 block radius and want to know the most interesting part of it all is? Wynwood is a revolving door for international artists that continues to change its artistic landscape year after year.  And the artists fly in from all parts of the world from France and Berlin to Mexico and Peru. Each artist ranging in artistic style, vision and skill. But who are the ones that started it all? Well the answer is not so simple but lets start with Primary Flight.

In 2007,  Primary Flight invited 35 graffiti artists to participate in the first open air art exhibition taking over many walls in the area. In 2008, they expanded to over 80 artists and in 2009 to over 150 artists forever changing the small neighborhood into the art mecca that it is today. However, it was not Primary Flight alone that changed the imaginative landscape of Wynwood. For decades Miami had the reputation of attracting thousands of art collectors, galleries and artists through its world known art fair Art Basel that takes place every year during the first week of December known as Miami Art Week.  With many satellite art fairs opening up during Miami Art Week,  Miami was attracting art enthusiasts, major brands and big time art collectors ready to spend a week on the sandy beaches while splurging on world class art. It was only natural for a collective of artists and galleries to take part in the action to attract attention to their artworks.

Wynwood became a living organism, cultivating growth within the artist community and more galleries moved into the area hoping to get a slice of the pie.  The revitalization was taking place and every creative  entity in the world was starting to take notice. One of those creative entities was our own. Formed in 2009, Chrome Art Gallery opened its doors and brought together local artists pushing the art scene into new realms. Live shows, live painting and projected art shows took place over the course of 3 years. Later in 2012, we opened Viophilia as an artistic sanctuary for artists that sought studio space to create and exhibit  their latest works. We curated art murals throughout the area and continued in the creative tradition that gave Wynwood its name.

Cue, Tony Goldman. An art enthusiast and real estate developer with enough funds to completely change the face of the small neighborhood into a world class experience. He created outdoor spaces, fusion restaurants and persuaded the city to allow for 20 bar and restaurant permits in the neighborhood. Goldman, along with a few other developers, was originally one of the developers of Soho New York and Ocean Drive in Miami. Tony knew a thing or two about how to develop an area that embraces art and architecture all while merging the need for interactive environments. He created The Wynwood Walls, an outdoor garden space with walls that tower over visitors  allowing them to experience art as if they were looking at large art canvases. It is one the the largest curated outdoor exhibitions to date.

Fast forward 10 years and here we are.

Wynwood now attracts top brands like Ducati, Gucci and a plethora of bars and restaurants paying high costs just to be part of the art.  The neighborhood that was once a tiny thread in the fabric of Miami became the creative model for many cities across the United States. Its ever changing artistic landscape continues to attract world known artists, art enthusiasts and collectors forever changing the way we experience art. Wynwood must be the only place in the world that can offer an interchangeable outdoor exhibit that showcases the best talent while allowing visitors to partake in in a truly unique outdoor experience that is the Wynwood Walls.

We embraced the evolution of the neighborhood, its adaptive nature that give the momentum to creativity in all forms and in return we got truly unique outdoor museum that pushed the bounds of creativity leaving all those who experience it forever changed.

Copyright: Ivette Cabrera 2017
Photo: Courtesy of WynwoodMiami.com

Exhibition at Spectrum Art Fair for Miami Art Week 2017

Exhibition at Spectrum Art Fair for Miami Art Week

The Art Basel season is upon us and I am excited to announce that I will be live painting and exhibiting at Spectrum Art Fair for this years Miami Art Week.
Live painting days will be Wednesday 6-9pm and Saturday 1-5pm.
Fans and collectors get your free passes here

Life is Art 
Booth 101
1700 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33132
VIP Opening Party on Wednesday, December 6 | 6:00PM – 10:00PM

Public Show Hours
Thursday, December 7 | 1:00PM – 9:00PM
Friday, December 8 | 1:00PM – 10:00PM
Saturday, December 9 | 1:00PM – 9:00PM
Sunday, December 10 | 12:00PM – 5:00PM

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Spectrum Miami—a curated contemporary art show in the heart of Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District featuring an international slate of artists and galleries. It’s where contemporary meets extraordinary. Join us for a five-day fine art experience, featuring Art Labs, Art Talks, Meet the Artist sessions, music, entertainment, and other special events.

Life Is Art is excited to bring over two dozen local artists painting live at Spectrum Miami 2017 for #ArtFusion!

Featured Wynwood Artists:
Alejandra Vargas, Alfred Hernandez, Amir Shakir, Brenda Presil, Chip Southworth, Courtney Einhorn, Dorvilier Olivier, Edwive Seme, Emil Bodourov, Eric Karbeling, Grace Mcgann, Griselda Lechini, Harmony Jones, Ivette Cabrera, Javier Valle Perez, Jd Jorge De Lara, Jennifer Maria, Jorge Bravo, Juan Navarro, Litana, Marco Caridad, María Patiño, Marlet Lopez, Melinda Gallop-The Brushless Artist, Opin, Renda Writer, Roberto Manoly, Tilly Strauss