I've been volunteering at The Mess for the last couple of months. It's run through Youth for Christ and teaches art to homeless and at risk youth downtown. They meet every Wednesday at First Christian Reformed Church on Talbot street. An open meal is served at 5:30pm and the art kicks off at 6:30. And the other day I made #6 on thier newsletter.
"6. the Wall was officially unveiled last night. After 3 weeks of training by local graffiti artist Richard (tag name “Battle”) Phillips, we opened up a “free wall.” This is a place where we can learn, practice, and express ourselves (legally) through spray paint. Over 20 people added their painting voice to create the art you see on the left. We will be doing this weekly at the Mess."
They really like me at Youth For Christ and the director asked a staff member to put out a feeler to see if I'd be interested in working for them. I like my current job but I'm still gonna try and be a part of whats going on at YFC (just not in a 40 hour work week way). On a side note the director knows Joel Stigale who I worked with in New York a few weeks ago.
A few days after that I go back to the same spot and start painting annother piece because the guy I was with wanted to paint there. Well we start laying out our paintings and who should come by but "Dave". Dave does not want to talk Dave wants to fight. I explained that I meant no disrespect but he grabbed me by the throught anyways. I was thinking of fighting back at that point but suddenly something popped into my head and said "do not resist an evil man". Dave threw me on the ground and kicked me. I told him I wasn't going to fight him and he stomped on my head and pushed me into a bird crap puddle (that part was gross). I got up and tried to talk it out with him but everything I said made him more upset. He came after me again I started walking away and he punched me from behind in the side of the head. I told him I still love and respect him. He told me to get out of the alley and not come back. I was still trying to talk it out with him when the guy I was painting with (who was pretty silent up untill that point) said "lets just go" we packed up our stuff and left. I've never felt so good after getting hit. I felt a strange peace while I was getting hit and I felt good about what went on that day. The only down side is that it hurts to chew.
