Category Archives: Freights

Name: Ewze
Crew: –
City/Country: Midwest/USA
When did you start writing? I did my first piece in 2005.

What’s graffiti for you?
Personal exploration is the entire reason I do graffiti. The challenge of self improvement in how you handle a piece as well as your interactions with writers and situations that arise within it. I haven’t mastered any aspect of graffiti that I mentioned by any stretch.

Influences?
I grew up in a town with no graffiti scene whatsoever. The internet was the only access to graffiti that I had, aside from seeing stuff on freight trains. I liked timeless looking graffiti right away but it took me awhile to understand it. Classic burners always appealed to and influenced me most.

Tell us about your city, how is life and graffiti there?
I just relocated last year. Some of the best writers in the country live here, and crews who have heavily influenced my style have been/are based out of this place. Living here is great, and has pushed me to be a better person and writer. Good food and scenery to boot.

What keeps you still writing?
It makes me happy.

What first made you interested in graffiti and how did you end up on that track?
I used to draw numbers in middle school. I’d put flames or clouds around them and naturally it progressed into drawing letters and names. When I was 15 I went to Kansas City and saw graffiti in person for the first time. I went home and started painting almost immediately.

What trends are you seeing now in the graffiti world that you don’t like?
There is a lot of positivity within my group of friends now. They do a good job of trying to be nice people and writers. That doesn’t exist everywhere. Some writers aren’t as much that way, and can be difficult to be around or to associate yourself with. I’m not always a naturally positive person but I make a serious effort to be.

What do you do when you’re not painting?
I’m a father and husband. Being both of those things is way more trying and rewarding than being a writer. I do my best.

How would you describe your style?
Graffiti style graffiti. I try to make unique letter structures and keep it simple in the right ways if I can. Still figuring out what works and doesn’t. Never the same outline twice.

Can you remember the first piece you did?
It said “atom” and was done on the back of a soda plant. I did two pieces next to each other the first time.

Future plans?
Learn as much as I can. Travel and make letters and characters that are better than I can make now.

Do you adapt your pieces and tags to the spot/surface?
My favorite thing to paint is freight trains. Many times this will force you to make letters/background that adapt to where the ridges and numbers fall. I’m very much so a process person so some forced change or direction helps me.

What do you think about the new generation of writers in your city?
I am barely older than the newer generation, myself. I think that there’s a good chance some of them write for reasons that are different than myself, but diversity is good for everything. Ignorance and poor decision making is not.

What are the best and worst aspects of graffiti?
The best aspect for myself is enjoying the physical act of graffiti. The smells, a cool breeze, and the mission with friends. The worst aspects of graffiti are easy to forget when you’re painting.

Who do you paint for?
My mental health.

What writers have inspired you?
Dondi, Jepsy, Kase2, Pre, Wane, TCI, HM and many others.

Can you ever feel tired of graffiti?
I got arrested when I was a teenager and was spooked for a couple years. I wasn’t tired of it, but I was overly cautious and didn’t paint much.

What do you hope people will think and feel when they see your stuff?
That I’m improving.

FIVE FAVORITES
Spray Paint: Yardmaster
City: Chicago
Markers/pens: chisel tip sharpie
Surface: raw cinder block
Cap: yellow universals

Instagram: @ewzedoesit