Pintura Project

Graffiti art
If you’ve ever thought there was no art in Orlando, the image above should show you how drastically incorrect you are. Fortunately, it’s not the only example of artistic talent you’ll find in town. The images you see here are all at 630 W. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando, thanks to the Pintura Project.

Graffiti art of screaming face
Graffiti art in Orlando

Graffiti art in Orlando of Andy Warhol
Graffiti art in Orlando of alien

I discovered this event because of Carolina, a face painter who decided to follow me on Twitter. Carolina was one of many artists there. She was painting faces (very nice lady, by the way). This is the kind of event I would’ve never heard about outside of Twitter. There are some pretty cool things happening in town and learning about them is just a matter of following a diverse crowd of people who happen to live in the same area. Carolina also paints at the Orlando Farmer’s Market, so now I have a new excuse to go check out what’s happening there one weekend.

In addition to the graffiti art, Pintura Project also had some DJ’s playing and a bunch of break dancers doing things that make my spine hurt just to think about it. I’m impressed with the talent and acrobatics, but the main thing I noticed was that there were no girls doing any of those moves. Sorry, but I can’t be staring at a bunch of dudes wriggling around on the ground. Women, yes. Next time this happens, please ask some women to break dance. I’ll take pictures.

There was plenty of art on canvas inside the building. Some of it just blew me away, like this piece:

Painting of fairy

By the way, whoever modeled for that piece, I’d love to meet your for a photoshoot sometime. You can wear the same outfit (or less).

Most of the artists were busy working, so I didn’t want to bother them. After all, it was a damn hot day and they were finishing up. These guys deserved a cold drink and I wasn’t going to get in their way. Fortunately, I did get to talk to one of the artists, Know7. He showed me how they work from a concept drawing and then translate it to the wall. I’m seriously impressed, because I can’t draw a stick figure without having an extra stick in an inappropriate spot.

Graffiti artist showing concept and finished product

Yet another nice guy. Seriously, almost everyone I met was smiling and friendly. Being a white dude, I honestly didn’t know what to expect walking into a graffiti art project surrounded by rap, hip-hop and things that just aren’t part of my world. What I found is something that I’ve generally believed – people are friendly everywhere. Be nice to them and they’re nice to you. This was a great multicultural event with people of every ethnicity there, everyone having a good time.

Of course, a couple of the brothers did fuck with me a bit. After talking that picture of Know7, I was heading back up the sidewalk when a guy came up and put his arm around me. He pointed out another black guy coming up the sidewalk, asking me what’s going on with him. The man looked batshit crazy and mean. I just told the guy that he looked friendly to me, and they both busted a gut laughing.

I don’t know if this is the first time we’ve had a graffiti art project in Orlando or not, but I’d definitely hit up the next one that comes around. In the mean time, head over to 630 W. Central Blvd (between Division & Parramore) and check out some beautiful local art.

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4 Comments

  1. Hi William,
    Thanks so much for coming to the event and creating this fantastic blog. We really appreciate the great reviews. I’ll def.keep in mind to get some female breakers if I can find some worth watching,lol!! I wish we would have known you were coming so we could have set up some time for you to interview some of the featured graff writers. Please keep in contact with us for our local graff productions, and next years Pintura Project Version 3. By the way I’m Ky, Staz’s (founder of Pintura Proj.) lady.
    Peace **

  2. Hey, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I had a great time there, but only learned of it just the night before. I didn’t really know who to talk to about it, but I appreciate the heads-up so I know for next year. You guys did a great job and left some beautiful art behind.

  3. It was really a great event, thanks for mentioning it. The more we get Pintura Project out on the web, the better and better it will become before Staz and Es decide to take it on the road.. The guys were fantastic hosts, Ky was a terrific hostess, and things were managed beautifully! I will be back!
    Joey-Joe The Public Animals, circa 1972

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