Battle Graffiti

Piece #83

2011-03-15T08:35:00.003-05:00

Piece #82

2011-03-10T20:33:00.000-05:00

Piece #81

2011-03-05T20:31:00.000-05:00

Piece #80

2011-02-28T20:24:00.003-05:00

Article on HolyCulture.net

2011-01-04T18:40:00.002-05:00

I recently did an interview along with some other christian graffiti artists from all over the world and the article "Graffiti: Evangelistic or Eyesore?" was published on HolyCultureDotNet so check it out if you want to.

the truth is beautiful

2010-12-30T23:11:00.000-05:00

In the news this week...

2010-09-21T00:47:00.003-05:00

A week ago the London Free Press did an article about graffiti crimes on the front page and included a picture of my work in thier article here mistakenly eluding that my work was illegal. My name wasn't mentioned and I was just happy to have my artwork on the frontpage of the weekend edition. So in responce and correction yesterday the London Free Press did an article about my graffiti work. The link to the article is here but I'm also posting the entire article below for those who want to read it.

Spray painter crusades for tolerance, Christianity

By Jane Sims The London Free Press

Richard Phillips says he thinks in spray paint.
“It’s just beautiful,” says the 26-year-old London graffiti artist.
He marvels at how the thick lines of paint meld together on a wall, shading his message of Christianity and hope.
He likes that he doesn’t need brushes or an easel and that his ideas spring to life quickly and with colour.
In a King St. alley, he points to a couple among 20 pieces he has in the city. In total, he says shyly, there are 200 of his paintings “around.” One of his pieces is based on Van Gogh’s Starry Night, but with a silhouette of a spray-paint artist in the foreground.
Unlike some graffiti art that pops up around the city, Phillips paints only in places where he has permission.
That’s put him in a weird place in the graffiti world. He sees merit in some of the unwanted art, while hardcore members of the graffiti culture don’t like his legitimate approach.
Graffiti artists, Phillips insists, are not “mindless vandals.”
This week, Benjamin Pavlov, a teenager tagger with a prolific portfolio around the city, faces a jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to 21 charges for mischief and breaching his probation — the second time this year he’s been arrested for tagging.
Phillips, who works at Teen Challenge farm and has a background in social services, doesn’t agree that the man who used “Dark” and “Hore” as his tag should go to jail.
“People’s lives have been ruined over something that can be painted over,” he says.
So Phillips has another idea — a city initiative to put a wall in a public place exclusively for graffiti art.
“It would be great if the city had a free wall to express themselves,” he says.
He knows there would have to be a change in attitude.
“The city and many people of the city don’t want to put a wall in the middle of nowhere where people can paint on because they think it is encouraging graffiti artists,” he says.
Now, the bylaw threatens even legitimate street art, he says. “If it was a brush, it would be allowed.”
Phillips doesn’t sign his pieces, but they’re easily spotted. They are colourful and precise and spread a message of Christianity.
“I do it to spread the message of Jesus. He changed my life and that’s why I do it,” he says.
His first mural, done with a friend, was six years ago. His church had been vandalized and with the permission of the pastor, Phillips and his friend painted over the unwanted graffiti with their own work.
Since then, he has travelled all over North America — California, New York City, Mexico — to learn and to paint.
Phillips said he reaches out to other artists who may be looking for a place to explore their passion. He finds them walls to create their vision and “create something beautiful.”
But he also has faced the criticism and scrutiny. He has been threatened while buying spray paint, and was attacked once for his legitimate approach to the art form, he says.
Criticism has been rare, he adds quickly, noting many in society appreciate his efforts.
Any business owner can call on him to work for free. And he’s there for those who want to express themselves.
“I’ve dedicated my life to trying to help people,” he says.

New York City Trip 2010

2010-06-22T02:21:00.003-05:00

Piece #79

2010-06-17T23:16:00.001-05:00

Piece #78

2010-06-12T22:39:00.001-05:00

Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations.

For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil

Piece #77

2010-06-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that - mlk

You are the light of the earth - Jesus

Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. -Jesus

At the centre of non-violence stands the principle of love. - mlk

Piece #76

2010-06-04T22:25:00.001-05:00

that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. Romans 1:12

Piece #75

2010-05-31T22:15:00.003-05:00

Battle (left) and Static (right)
Static with his piece

Me with my character

How to Stencil

2010-05-24T23:20:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles Trip 2010: Day 3

2010-05-20T08:37:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles Trip 2010: Day 1-2

2010-05-19T08:20:00.000-05:00

May 2010 update

2010-05-17T22:01:00.003-05:00

stencil 5

2010-05-10T22:13:00.001-05:00

stencil 4

2010-05-06T22:12:00.001-05:00

Stencil 3

2010-05-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

Piece #74

2010-04-28T22:09:00.000-05:00

Stencil 2

2010-04-24T22:06:00.001-05:00

Art show at Grooves

2010-04-22T16:17:00.005-05:00

Hello I've got some canvases on display and for sale at grooves record store this month I set them up today. People routinely ask me for my art work and I always explain my artwork is all over the city and it's free. But they usually aren't happy with that answer. Well now is your oportunity to pay for a second rate scaled down version of my work and satisfy your desire to own, posess and hoard things for yourself or give it as a gift.

Stencils 1

2010-04-20T22:03:00.000-05:00

Piece #73

2010-04-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

Piece #72

2010-04-12T21:46:00.003-05:00

Sketches 36

2010-01-23T01:48:00.002-05:00

random sketches from the last two years I just found3

2010-01-21T01:46:00.002-05:00

random sketches from the last two years I just found2

2010-01-19T01:43:00.001-05:00

random sketches from the last two years I just found

2010-01-17T01:39:00.001-05:00

Freestyle at The Mess

2010-01-15T19:51:00.000-05:00

Graffiti Truck

2010-01-11T19:49:00.000-05:00

Did this for a guy who put out an add on kijiji.

Piece #71

2010-01-07T19:47:00.000-05:00

But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matt 5:39

Piece #70

2010-01-04T19:41:00.004-05:00

Painted with Wisdm

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Matt 22:37

The Mess

2009-10-02T00:32:00.000-05:00

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.

Piece #61 part 2

2009-10-01T00:25:00.001-05:00

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests
Luke 2:14

Painted with Static

Ig hurst ta chew

2009-09-30T23:42:00.002-05:00

A while ago I met this writer... for the sake of annonimity call him "Dave" (dave is not his real name). I saw him again a month ago and he was real ticked off at me, it turns out I had gone over one of his tags on a wall and he was upset. I appologized but he wouldn't accept it and said he was goin to start destroying my work and the work of the people who were writing with me that day. I appologized again and told him he could go over me but to leave the other guys alone. He didn't really want to talk to me and left. He came back a little while later with a jug of silver paint and splashed it over some of my work while we were painting and said "there's plenty more where that came from".

We finished up, took pictures left and in a few days my piece was splashed with silver paint but thankfully thiers were left alone. So a week later I go back and paint over one of the destroyed pieces and write "love your enemies" next to it. 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.

Piece #69

2009-09-29T23:21:00.001-05:00

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves
Romans 12:10

Piece #68

2009-09-28T23:18:00.000-05:00

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Matthew 22:37

Left to right: Me, Static and Reber

AuGGust 2009 walls

2009-09-27T23:29:00.003-05:00

with Amp, Cowboy, Sonz, Pyksy and Camer

with pyksy

with cowboy

at the oasis:

with Cowboy, Camer, Pyksy and Amp

Piece #67

2009-09-26T23:05:00.000-05:00

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

left to right: &&&, static, me, doc and bif.

Piece #66

2009-09-25T22:59:00.000-05:00

My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Psalm 62:7

Blazefest 2009

2009-09-24T22:18:00.001-05:00

I'm not going to break it down day by day but immediately following the trip to Saskatchewan my lovely wife Tara and I drove to Schenectady NewYork where I taught graffiti lessons all week as part of an outreach with youth for christ called blazefest. This is the 3rd or 4th year that I've been out and it was a great week of ministry and painting. Back from previous years were Rayski, Bam Bam, Ms. Natalie and the YFC crew along with some new instructors Verbs, DJ promote, Craig Nice the incredible MC, B-Girl Stella, B-boy kiddoh, Minus1 fdc, and Joel Stigale. It was a lot of fun Minus helped me teach graffiti and it was great to meet up with DJ promote who is also a graffiti writer and was one of the guys I looked up to when I started writing graffiti. durring the days I taught high school and middle school kids the art of graffiti and respect for property and at night we went around to different neighbourhoods in Schenectady and had kind of like a concert and preaching time it was really cool. Joel thought I was gonna get myself shot when I painted over some gang graffiti, Tara danced up a storm, kids got saved, and they gave me free paint at the end. What else can you ask for? Oh yeah, no bad press... Check!

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 9

2009-08-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

The rain had come down last night and ruined alot of what we had been working on but the guys had to leave so I agreed to do my best to fix what was ruined, we ran out to a paint store got some grey paint and I started working right up until it was time to catch my flight out. We left straight from the wall to the airport and took a non stop flight back to toronto which arrived at midnight where my buddy Jamie picked us up and I drove from Toronto back to London that night.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 8

2009-08-22T21:32:00.001-05:00

Today was the last day of sheduled painting so I got a real early start (5am) on the day and walked from the billets house to the church. The church is in a bad part of saskatoon and along my 5 minute walk I was propositioned by a prostitute. I was so shocked that all I could do is say "no thank you" and keep walking. I've met alot of prostitutes before especially when I worked with the homeless youth but I had never been propositioned before. I've counselled former male prostitues but walking away like that - not saying anything, not at least trying to make it better... I just felt helpless and so saddened for this girl and so powerless to help her. I tried to ignore it as I got to the wall and started to paint - to think of the goodness of God or something but I couldn't, it was nagging at me I felt at the edge of tears crying for this girl and the life shes living mixed with regret and a strange uneasyness. I started painting the portrait of the alcoholic when cowboy came over and started to show me some tips (cowboy is a fantastic artist) he started working with it and he told me a little bit about his life and eventually asked if he could finish the portrait and asked if I wouldn't mind working on painting the face of the prostitute. It was so cleansing such a release to identify with the pain and to paint out of that fear and despiration. The feeling of appathy disipated as I painted, spreading the message that there is hope for this situation. I changed the source picture to look more like the girl who I met earlier and after I was finished I felt more at peace and whole maybe.

We kept working late into the night, amp camer and I. Sonz and Cowboy had gone back home and pyksy was with her children. I was the last day and we had alot of work left we stayed up till 1 or 2am. I got back to the billets home and heard rain as I fell asleep.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 7

2009-08-21T21:26:00.000-05:00

Painting, painting and more painting sun up to sun down, this walll is huge there are six of us working on it but it's still very large. I finished up my section and camer and cowboy let me loose on doing some other major parts to the wall which was surprising and fun, Tara helped with the filling in of some of it and it was a great day.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 6

2009-08-20T20:51:00.000-05:00

We drove from regina and went to Saskatoon. As we were driving we noticed that we needed to stop for gas so we eventually pulled off to a gas station... that was closed for renovations and they said the next gas station was 120km away. There was no way we were going to make it 200 km on the gas we had, so we prayed. As it turns out the guy at the hardware store was wrong and there was an open gas station 10-15 minutes down the way (phew). So we filled it up and got back on the road... going the wrong way. Camer had pulled off and started going the wrong way down the highway I was the first to notice and started screaming, Cam pulled off and in a tone fitting a californian asked why I was so tence. Amp had also noticed but just quietyly asked barely audibly "yo, dude are we going the right way?" We arrived in Saskatoon alive and roughly on time met up with the people from the church and Sonz. We started laying things out but we had a few little hiccupps from the church pastor who wanted some things changed at the last minute. Camer patiently went through it with the pastor and agreed to some changes he suggested the crew wasn't peticularily happy but we started sketching out the changes and eventually started painting. I took my time and didn't really start doing too much I was taking it easy and just letting Cowboy and Camer and the pastor make the decisions. At one point cowboy looked over at me and asked my why I hadn't started and I told him I was just taking my time. I figured that honestly camer and cowboy would be painting most of the wall and that I would run out of things to paint and eventually just stand around waiting kinda like I had earlier on in the trip. So to make sure I was painting for the next 3 days I was gonna take those three days to do the one section entrusted to me. However, both cowboy and camer suggested I really move fast and then start on such and such. We met our host family but to be honest I was exausted by the end of the day and I felt really bad about not making small talk but I just crashed on the bed they provided they seemed really nice though.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 5

2009-08-19T20:44:00.000-05:00

Today was a really relaxing day I spent the day with my wife shopping and going to the jazz festival (not that we like jazz peticularily) Camer and Amp got tattoo's from the sister of the guy who runs the Oasis she offered to give us all free tattoo's but I opted out because tattoos are really permanant and thats just not something I'm gonna do at a moments notice.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 4

2009-08-18T18:47:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlJidypS6XQ

The oasis is super cool. It's this really old anglican church in the bad part of Regina that is in the midst of an overhaul. Check out the video and you'll get a better idea of the day.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 3

2009-08-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

We started off in the morning by loosing the keys to the school whichis a big deal because when that happends the entire school has to get re-keyed and all the locks changed. We all searched the house for an hour but in the end my wife saved the day and found the keys. We started painting the school today and we had two more changes scince the 3 from yesterday. Its a public school so we are not allowed to paint anything christian. Ironic because we're painting a room based on diversity and its ironic because there is alot of native american spirituality and they wanted quotes from religious people like gaundi but nothing christian, wheres the dirersity? I think christianity isn't trendy enough or maybe you can be influenced by any religion but can't acctually follow any religion. Anyways five of us painted 3 different rooms, one at a time. To me it felt kind of constricted doing somebody elses design with people staring over my sholder making sure I didn't mess up thier idea or do something too original that a school principal, teacher or parent wouldn't like. It took a long time and at the end I was tired but the five of us had to paint 20 personalized canvases. I'm not a big fan of canvases and again it felt like work. Tomorrow is supposed to be better were painting a place called the Oasis which sounds like a really cool place more up our alley with more individual and religious fredom. And I refuse do anymore canvases this trip or paint anything just to earn money for a job!

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 2

2009-08-16T18:24:00.000-05:00

Too much confusion today we were supposed to paint a school today butthe principal kept changing her mind about what was going to happen,it was very frustrating to be told what we can and can't paint, andthen having that change at the last minute, and then have that allchange again. Cam and Cowboy took over and designed outlines for threewalls (which was originally supposed to be one). I got frustrated withCam cuz he was only asking for cowboys input and I really felt leftout of the loop, Cowboy is probably the best writer of us all which isunderstandable why he's taking a lead role but it didnt feel like acrew it felt worse than a job and I felt like I was second string onthis project. I could tell my wife wasn't having a great timeeighther. There was also some questions and concerns about money andus splitting up to do seperate jobs and things at that point were justhectic. So we all stopped and prayed we all calmed down refocusedstopped thinking about jobs and the product and we started to get aglimpse of why were all coming together in the first place. I thinkmost of realized that we had eighther a bad attitude or messed uppriorities. I can testify that I had both especially the bad attitude.The lady who we are staying with right now is super sweet and hasarranged all these sponcers for us. Our meals have been sponcered byQuiznos, Tony Romas, Sparkys Pizza, Great Canadian Bagel it's crazythe amount of high quality food we have been recieving for free. Andour paint has been sponcered by Rona, two different canadian tires andCloverdale paint. I must mention that Cloverdale gave us approximently$5000 in spraypaint, 750 cans on two skids, I've never herd ofanything like this happening before, it was a total blessing.

Saskatchewan Trip: Day 1

2009-08-15T18:19:00.004-05:00

We (me and my wife Tara) got up early and drove to toronto wherefriends of ours were going to drive us to the airport. We had a good lunch with Jamie and Cam and then spent most of the day in theairport. In winipeg we accidently went down the wrong escalator andwhen we tried to back alarms went off and security came over to usinstructing us that we'd have to go through customs again. We travelto the gate and my wife accidently goes back down the same escalatorand I had to go get her at customs. We got picked up after our planewas delayed slightly. We met up with cowboy, camer1, amp and pyksy.

Doc

2009-08-03T16:40:00.004-05:00

Well a while ago I met with Doc, who's just starting out writing graffiti. He doesn't bomb or tag and is more interested in the art of piecing. He was stoked to meet me and talk with me anyways, I've been taking him out and going over to his house too over the last month or so and teaching him stuff. He's been practicing in his garage and developing the can control techniques I've been showing him. He painted the Jesus piece in "Piece #60" based off an outline I gave him and he filled in the hearts and piece in "Piece #58" He's been getting alot better because of his humble teachable attitude and has been an absolute joy to teach.

Piece #65

2009-08-01T23:42:00.002-05:00

Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us

Hebrews 11:35-40

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

Piece #64

2009-07-30T23:35:00.002-05:00

Brony (top left), Static (top right), Me (bottom)

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Piece #63

2009-07-28T23:24:00.003-05:00

Left to Right: Static, Me and Me

Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 72:19

Piece #62

2009-07-26T23:13:00.001-05:00

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
1 John 4:13-16

Piece #61

2009-07-24T23:04:00.001-05:00

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12

Piece #60

2009-07-22T20:24:00.002-05:00

Left to right: Me, Doc, Vice-ral

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

On the real

2009-07-19T22:03:00.001-05:00

Just so you know what I've been up to over the last couple months besides just turning out alot of artwork and enjoying the great weather. I've been making a concious effort to develop some more funky letterstyle thats more leggible, shows movement, has natural flow and kind of swing to it. I've been inspired by some of the members of Gospel Graffiti to push my horizons and develop under the watchful gaze of thier world class critique and encouragement.

On the flip side I've also been painting with alot of different people and haven't been doing the solo thing too much. I've been writing alot with Onetruth and Vice-ral as well as Bif, Static, Brony, and others. Doing feild trips to Burlington and Grimsby and getting things started in a different more communal direction.

I'm still also getting footage for the upcoming DVD (so don't think I forgot about it) Right now I've got 9-10 hours of raw footage and I'd like to get more. It may seem like alot but I wanna reduce it down alot and time lapse alot of stuff. I'm not going to use alot of the random footage I have because I really want a quality finished product. All that being said I haven't even started editing. Still don't expect it anytime soon obviously.

Sketches 35

2009-07-17T21:20:00.000-05:00

They all say "Jesus"

Sketches 34

2009-07-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

Jesus

Sketches 33

2009-07-13T21:13:00.000-05:00

*they all say "Jesus" btw

Piece #59

2009-07-11T20:39:00.001-05:00

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Sketches 32

2009-07-09T21:28:00.000-05:00

wes
dysm

Jesus

Jesus

Piece #58

2009-07-07T20:35:00.001-05:00

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

Piece #57

2009-07-05T20:31:00.001-05:00

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Piece #56

2009-07-02T20:18:00.006-05:00

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Field Trip

2009-07-01T22:13:00.000-05:00

Well I took a trip to Grimsby and brought along Onetruth and his friend Bif it was pretty fun, lots of jokes and Bif was real nice. There's three free walls at the skate park and we each painted one. I posted up a typical Jesus piece, Onetruth threw a bucket of abandoned paint against the wall and eventually turned it into a human being, where Bif took a more traditional approach and shaded with a can of paint to get her characters. This is mine:

Piece #55

2009-06-09T22:28:00.001-05:00

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

Piece #54

2009-06-07T22:21:00.000-05:00

and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 10:38-39

Keep it Real Party

2009-06-05T21:49:00.000-05:00

A while back I took a group of people including "Onetruth" to burlington to the one year aniversary of the keepin it real crew. Laura Bronson a writer I met a while back was putting on the event and invited me out. Also on the guest list was "Sonz" from the legendary Gospel Graffiti Crew. He's the closest member to me only a couple hours away and we still hadn't met. He is one seriously nice dude real kind and genuine joyful and nice I felt this instant connection like I said really nice personable dude.

He had a gift for me when I met him and he was just a nice solid dude, he recently married just like me so I got to meet his lovely wife who is also a breakdancer/writer like sonz, it was cool to see.

The event was really cool they had an indoor skate demo, rappers, a live DJ, they let us paint on basically whatever we wanted inside, lots of kids, a backstage area for the "performers" with free pizza and crispers.

This is the only picture I could grab of the whole production it's pretty bad but from left to right is onetruth's skull, my fist, sonz' psalm piece and his wifes piece is next to his.

Sonz and me bombed some walls upstairs too.

Ministry NOportunity

2009-06-03T21:41:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update to those who are following the blog I'm not going to korea anymore. Got a call this week saying that the pastors at the churches that I was supposed to tour decided against a graffiti artist coming.

Piece #53

2009-05-30T20:16:00.001-05:00

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.

Acts 17:6-8

Sketches #31

2009-05-27T20:01:00.002-05:00

Abstract
Jesus

surge for boming science contest

Sketches #30

2009-05-24T19:56:00.004-05:00

Jesus

Jesus

Jesus

abcde

fghijk

lmnop

qrstu

vwxyz

Hanging out

2009-03-27T22:28:00.006-05:00

Well I should tell you that last year when I got through with teaching in new york I prayed for someone who I could teach, who I could... (I'm going to use an awkward word)... disciple. I recognized I love to teach and that God wants me to teach others. At blazefest one of the principles they indorse is multiplication, I agree. My old painting buddy Viceral said along time ago that he was inspired by how much I had accomplished with my art you know touring around and joining GG crew etc. He said I could take it farther through teaching others and creating a movement. I doubt there is a movement but it certainly is a nice dream.

Anyways, I've been hanging out with "One Truth" and we've painted a few pieces together. This week we've hung out 3 times. I really enjoy the time I've been spending with him, talking with him and listening to him. Lots of fun, tears, funny voice overs, screams and empty paint cans. All this to say I'm really greatful for my friend and someone who can encourage me and vice versa. Like today, I locked my keys in the trunk of my car while we were painting, the owner of the store I was painting screamed at me "you ******! you are a ****** ******, you are a ******* ******!" because of where my car was parked. And because my buddy was around it made it seem like less to deal with, in fact I think it was a great day all in all.

Piece #52

2009-03-25T23:17:00.003-05:00

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 cor 3:17-18

Subject: Ministry Opportunity 2

2009-03-18T22:25:00.001-05:00

Hello Jonathan and Natalie, I was praying for guidance and I asked others to pray for me as well. Tonight a friend of mine said he felt from the Lord that I should make plans to go, so I'm planning on going. God has big plans for me still.

Subject: Ministry Opportunity

2009-03-02T23:24:00.002-05:00

Hey Richard! Hows married life with Tara and yourself? Its coming up to a year now...wow! I have sent a video to you concerning Teen Challenge Korea. The reason I am contacting you is in regards to this years youth summer camp that I am involved in as TC Korea's Canadian representative. Currently, I am co-ordinating the possibility of putting together a Canadian Team as special guests. I am aware that you have been working at TC Lambeth for a time (George Glover would be aware of Jonathan Aird and TC Korea, as well as myself) and that you also do spray painting as a ministry. I would like to offer you the opportunity to be on the Canadian Team for this years 2 wk international youth summer camp (in Korea) and use your ministry for Kids across the world. If you would like to know more, please contact me! We would love to have you as part of the team!

Sincerely,Natalie Steele

Pounding Pavement

2009-02-27T23:59:00.003-05:00

I went out following up leads on new walls again today and was blessed with permission to paint two new walls in a different part of downtown london. One was a food place and the other a pornography store. I'm really excited about this opportunity to once again spread the good word and a mesage of hope to the streets of London. The walls also happen to be right outside the entrance to the couterpoint needle exchange. I love the opportunities I get.

The End-bassy

2009-02-27T21:17:00.002-05:00

Well I found out that the Embassy Hotel will be closing it's doors. The Embassy is a bar that rents rooms by the week, it hosts minor bands who come by on tour and it they let the local graffiti artists come by and draw on whatever surface that they could. I've painted alot of stuff there over the years and they will be demoloshing it April 14th 2009. Because they are shutting thier doors I was granted a unique opportunity to paint the front which faces Dundas street a major road of the city. This is a highly visable piece that alot of people will see everyday, well... untill April 14th.

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Rev 21:5

Piece #51

2009-01-31T23:09:00.000-05:00

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:1-3

Tattoo 1

2009-01-28T15:24:00.007-05:00

Somebody asked me to design them a tattoo. That's nothing new when people find out you can draw they want you to design them a tattoo 99% of people who you draw a tattoo for will never end up getting said tattoo. People are really picky when it comes to stuff that is going to be on thier bodies forever (for some reason?). Most of the time they want you to do something very specific and give you zero artistic licence. I don't design many tattoos for those reasons. Above is my artwork. Not my impression of somebody else's artwork, my own original letters that somebody like enough on thier own, that somebody now has them perminately on thier forearm. This concept is very humbling and flattering to me. I personally don't have any tattoo's and I'm not sure how I feel about them still even after this.

Leviticus 19:27-28 Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

Acts 10:11-16 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat". "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Quote

2008-11-16T23:11:00.002-05:00

I met Shaine Claiborne the other day, I wouldn't usually mention it but he had an interesting quote.

Speaker-"wait, wait, so you actually let children draw on your walls?"

Shaine-"well of course! Thats what walls are for"

After which it was quiet with only a few people chuckling quietly to themselves and one young man in the audience shouting "Yes! Amen!" loud enough to be herd across the small stadium filled with about 5000 men. That was fun.

Forest City Community Church

2008-11-01T10:30:00.002-05:00

The other day I received a phone call from a church that asked me to paint a couple of masonite boards for their youth group. One for their senior high (momentum) and junior high (vertical)respectively (below). Huge church, nice people and they support the arts which is nice within modern churches. A long time ago the church and people of faith were major benefactors of art and played a major role in the arts especially the visual arts of sculpture, architecture, and painting (especially murals). But now the modern church doesn't really invest in the visual arts and we've seen a big divide between the quality of secular art versus religious art with generally speaking religious art coming up way short. As a side note I should also say lack of visual arts is certainly not the most important thing the modern church is missing but, it's nice to see a church who recognizes the value of art, they have murals in a lot of the different rooms and it makes the church look like less of a warehouse it's really quite amazing. The murals were done by Mural FX, I met the woman (above) as she was painting and we had a good talk and was eager to answer some of my many questions.

Sketches #29

2008-10-28T23:25:00.000-05:00

Welcome

Jesus

Abstract

The earth is the Lords 2

2008-10-24T21:47:00.000-05:00

A long time ago in a post called motivations I talked about a gay bar I was going to paint, I didn't say anything but 2 weeks after I finished they closed down the gay bar. A few weeks ago I had a post that I was painting a satanic metal bar after I had finished painting it they started tearing the whole building down. I honestly don't know what this is about but something strange is happening.

Anti-Advertising 2

2008-10-20T21:16:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago before the coke thing, I went looking for a Halloween costume for my wife at the local magic trick and costume store. As I was walking in I noticed that the outside sign had faded over the years from the weather, I looked around and since I had the supplies in my car and it would only take a matter of minutes to repair I offered to fix their sign in exchange for a costume. I've done things like this before where for free or for in exchange for food I've fixed a sign that looks rundown and ugly. I don't believe advertising or decoration is necessarily wrong I do however make a distinction between a barter exchange for the sign of Mom and Pop independently owned costume store that i actually go to and buy magic tricks from and a big fat paycheck for just another out of place billboard advertisement for a corporation that I don't like that advertises so much it has become an eyesore. Just so everyone is clear. I also make no judgments on people in advertising unless they use their talents to advertise something evil (like consumerism, greed, lust, dissatisfaction, unthankfulness, alcohol, degradation of women or anything else that makes up 90% of advertising).
This message brought to you by overwhelming reader response (2) and Tinkerbell.

Anti-Advertising

2008-10-18T21:55:00.002-05:00

I got a call from a store owner early this morning who has been in contact with Coca-cola the largest distributor of the caffeinated beverage Kola in the world. Coke wanted to pay me to put their logo on the side of a building. I told the owner to call back coke and tell them I would not do it. I'm sure there was a large pay check attached that would have paid me handsomely which makes me curious to think how much is my talent worth to them but we know what curiosity did to the cat so, I didn't ask. I personally don't drink coke, I don't like the sugar and I don't like how fidgety and sick I feel after drinking it. It has a drug that can make you physically dependant on it. It's bad for you. There has also been a string of coke union reps in Columbia who keep dying... mysteriously.... from guns. On the other hand let me tell you about something I endorse regularly. Jesus! He gave us words to live by, He showed us a radical way to live that brings us not just happiness but Joy, He plans our steps, gives us all good gifts and when things are tough and relatives die and we seem to have no hope, we have hope, and we have peace. Not because were crazy or living in denial but because the God who lives with us each day and knows all our hurts and pains and well everything in the universe said "I have a plan for you, a plan to give you a future and a hope". It's ours, it's a secret, it's just between God and us and we look crazy to everybody else like we're talking to an imaginary friend but we know that there really is a God who talks to us and does miracles in our lives and He said it'd be alright. It's the real thing.

I'm Battle and I endorse this message.

Sketches #28

2008-10-16T23:02:00.002-05:00

Book

Diaz

Jesus

Battle: the movie

2008-10-12T21:46:00.001-05:00

When I was in NY bam bam the liquid robot, suggested that I come out with a Graff DVD and sell it to all the writers in my town and when I go around, but you know that's not how I roll. So, instead I'm gonna make a graffiti video and give it away for free. So right now I'm painting alot trying to come out with some good footage for the DVD which I'll be painting mostly and also talking a bit about the artform you know and the pieces I do. However I don't want it to be about me I wanna take the focus away from me and really just direct it to the message. My man Dj ex-o is working on the sound track and I've been getting people to help film. Don't expect it anytime soon, this is a longer project that I don't wanna rush.

The earth is the Lords

2008-10-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

I've been hitting the streets recently downtown trying to network and free up some more diverse walls for me to paint on outside of the spots that have already been thoroughly transformed. You know trying to spread his dominion outside of a few walls and mark the whole city for His fame. I have been blessed again with another wall, this time it's as one of the staff put it "A Satanic Metal Bar". Apparently they have a lot of satanic metal bands come and play there, I could tell he wasn't a fan of Jesus and as he looked through my sketchbook he was not happy about the amount of religious content but he did find something he liked. I'm excited about this. First a bar, then a hells angels owned tattoo parlor, then a gay bar now, a satanic metal bar! I love spreading the message of Jesus Christ to the people who don't always get the chance to come in contact with it.

Piece #50

2008-10-04T20:34:00.000-05:00

Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

Piece #49

2008-09-30T20:32:00.000-05:00

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Piece #48

2008-09-26T20:30:00.000-05:00

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Piece #47

2008-09-22T20:18:00.000-05:00

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Piece #46

2008-09-18T20:12:00.000-05:00

So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me."

Piece #45

2008-09-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

"David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might" 2 Sam 6:14

Gospel Hip Hop Fest: Day 3

2008-09-12T20:00:00.002-05:00

We talked with the event coordinator some more, checked out some of the local building that were covered with hot graffiti murals, drove around town taking pictures, hit the highway, stopped for lunch, joked around alot, wstopped in buffalo and went to the museum there ($2) and then headed back home. On the way Me and Suposes freestyled uplifting each other and then we started freestyling about God and then we started praying while freestyling it was real spiritual and we went on for hours it was fun. I also stopped at a legal wall and did a couple of quick throw ups.