Valparaiso- es mi paraiso

I just returned from Valparaiso and it was an amazing city. It is set in the mountains and the buildings cascade down it slopes with with integrated murals peeking around the corners. The nice beaches are short drive away. The city has a warm youthful feel with a fun nightlife in the center.


We stayed with my friend, Nelson's (Cekis) sister, Bisy who is a graf writer as well. She is apart of a female collective. Bisy's has a charming house over looking the city. This is the view from her bedroom.



We only had one night here so we had to make the most of it. First things first. Head to the beach. Here was our little crew...

Nelson" Crazy Guy"


The Infamous Peter...and me...

After a nice day at the beach... we cooked some great fish and walked around all night doing what we do. Not only was it a great work out because these hills are super steep but it was amazing fun. We scoped walls for future murals and checked out all the new stuff people had painted. Since the city is set in the hills murals just pop around each corner. I suck and didn't take the best pictures of the murals in Valparaiso but this will give you an idea of what they look like on the streets. Sorry I was so into looking at them I forgot to pull out my camera. I will get better at this though...



Anyways my trip in Santiago is wrapping up... bummer... I said by to my friend Nelson today. He took off to Sao Paolo to paint with his crewmate Grin. They are working out details for an upcoming show in Sao Paolo as well as going there to just get up. Nelson took the best care of me and watched out for me like family. I am super grateful to have shared this time with him and got an insight into the scene in Santiago...

With my last few days I am working out details for my new job in Colombia as well as trying to lay some groundwork for people to paint with there. I am going to be guiding painting workshops in spanish so I am trying to build my vocabulary. I have a small presentation of my project idea on tuesday so wish me luck. It is in spanish so I am a little nervous. I also hope to paint one more time with a female collective here in Santiago before I leave. My flight is Monday morning. So hopefully I can make it happen.

take care and be in touch... next stop Bogota...

Yoshi

Santiago, Chile - paint, paint, eat, paint...

Hello Folks,

Landed in Santiago, Chile and it has been non stop from the moment I hit the ground. I am being hosted by my friend, Cekis, an amazing painter and by the word on the street one of the most famous graf painters in Chile. You would never know by his humble demeanor, but no doubt he is a beast with paint...

The first wall, I climbed down into a ravine where it is like a painters dream. Huge walls, shade, no one to bother you.... and the river running behind. Climbing down was a challenge because it was like 30 feet down from the street level so even with a super tall ladder one still needed to rope climb down about 10 feet. This was definitely scary for me, but with a little persuasion I made it down this rope with my T-rex arms. It was nothing to the guys...



Below is a photo of the piece Cekis and his crew (Horate, Grin and Rick) did together. They are considered the premier collective in Santiago for graf. There probably isn't a Chile graf book that they aren't in. Graf in Chile really blew up during the 90's... before that folks were writing political messages on the walls but doing Pieces came later. Their murals are impressive not only in size but in precision and detail. This one doesn't reflect their mural collaboration style but was more of a fun and quick piece. The mural isn't finished at this stage. I still need to return to get a final picture...




There are a few things I have learned from being in Santiago. Everyone's characters are animated and their own. Folks are pushing limits with perspective and creating their unique style. In addition, I am getting schooled on mixing cans, stretching paint, and taking the pressure out of the can by holding it upside down letting the air out to help with can control and fine lines... I gotta say I got mad respect for folks out here, some do whatever they can to just paint... even if they have a lot or a little materials folks make it happen. Young guys are not only tackling huge walls by themselves, but whole building. All of this has put much into perspective for me.

So here is the first collaboration I was lucky to be a part of in Santiago, Chile. It is in a area called Barrio Bellavista. It is right down the street from the BOMB Gallery. The graf gallery that has over 5 rooms and two stories all dedicated to graffiti.


This is a collaboration between: Cekis (Chile), Cern (NYC), Dacot (Chile), and Yoshi (LA). Hope you enjoy... Tomorrow we take off to Valparaiso... sounds like painters paradise. It is another city an hour and a half away where graf is supported and it is by the beach... I may never leave....

Much love to all... I will keep in touch...

Yoshi
Trust Your Struggle Collective