Kilroy Was Here
Acrylic on Canvas
36X40 inches
Since the art league decided to do a show on graffiti art, I was motivated to think of something different. Writing on the walls became the theme of my thinking for awhile. I thought about why people write on the walls where others can see it. They have something to say? They just want to be seen? They like to vandalize?
I have learned that the majority of graffiti artists take their work seriously and are highly skilled at what they do. There should be more public walls and use of graffiti to engage communities in discussion. There is a project involving the community in explaining democracy. Here is the link. http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/6641.html
Graffiti has been recognized in museums all over the world. The Brooklyn Museum had an exhibit in 2006. Here are a couple of links. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/30/arts/design/30graf.html?fta=y and http://www.hhnlive.com/photos/more/12 . Enjoy.
I chose Kilroy because I remember the Kilroy graffiti so well from my childhood. It typified graffiti to me. It started out saying simply that “an American soldier was here”. Then it became the joy of many a youngster.
Sandra Lynn Gray Art 
That is so Good! I love Kilroy but I’d almost forgotten.
Your work captures such depth of emotion, and brilliance of life – something much deeper in each piece that I see. Thanks for sharing!
I too had forgotten about Kilroy! 🙂
I love the beautiful colors and the mix of real and make believe!
Thanks for sharing it!
The colors are so vivid in this “Kilroy” picture. It captures the spirit of the life of the city. And the little guy is funny peaking over the wall. One little voice that came through time and space. In a way this picture reminds me of Michigan artist who paints himself in an ecosystem landscape with a tiny pair of binoculars. As an observer. It is always a challenge to find him in the work of art. I also like the idea of graffiti art as participatory democracy. Thanks for this. E
This is simply amazing. I stumbled over here from Ellen’s blog. I mean, I’d pay a pretty penny for this painting. Awesome – thanks for sharing it.
-Brett
Hi! Got here through Gypsyheart 🙂
You know, there are times when my hands would itch and would dare to write on public walls but never did. Honestly, some graffitis I’ve seen on highways here were really good. It seem to add color in those boring cement walls constructed to separate the highway from the nearby neigborhood (and reduce noise as well).
On May 24-25 is Art tour in Maastricht,Netherlands. I can’t wait! It’s going to be my first time to witness an event such as this. I read that there’s an area to do your own graffitis. ohlala.
Oh how I remember Kilroy. My kids don’t have a clue about that long forgotten character. I see Kilroy and think of World War II.
Kelroy was a needed character during those rough years. He was ‘comic relief’…. Your picture is perfect in every way and it brings back many memories. Thanks for showing this.
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