An Artist Who Draws
Inspiration from Music.
A music fan, also known as a music enthusiast or a music lover, is someone who has
a strong interest and emotional attachment to music. That pretty much describes me as well!
ARTIST NAME
Acton
ARTFORM
Graffiti
ACTIVE SINCE
1990
VISIT WEBSITE
The Person
I am a graffiti writer. Have been since the early ’90s. “Writer” as in I love painting letters rather than cartoon-like characters or other representational art. Some call this stylewriting, and so do I.
I am also a graphic designer, a profession I’ve pursued for nearly 25 years. But these two identities are not separate — they are deeply connected. One cannot exist without the other. Most of my creative work revolves around or draws inspiration from music. Many of my clients, if not directly from the music industry, are at least somewhat related to it.
The History
I discovered heavy metal — or hard rock, as I knew it then — in 1984 at the age of nine. The first bands that blew me away were Kiss, W.A.S.P., and Twisted Sister. In 1985, I was introduced to graffiti through the album cover art of Twisted Sister’s “Come Out and Play”.
It took me four more years to pick up a spray can and experiment, and a few more years before I was truly satisfied with my work. By that time I’ve found the more extreme side of metal and that was clearly visible from the quotes I wrote by my paintings of that time.
The Letters
For many graffiti writers, letterforms are the heart of the art. How do you reinvent the same moniker — or any word — within a limited set of alphabets while staying true to your style and still keeping it fresh, year after year? Most graffiti writers value letter execution over color usage. I’m no exception. A piece can be great with just a few colors if the letterforms are solid, but no amount of color can save weak lettering. My letters are not always perfect, and I’ve had my share of misses, but I constantly strive for balance, rhythm, and flow, dedicating countless hours to refining my style.
The Bands
As my confidence in graffiti grew, I began incorporating quotes from my favorite songs next to my pieces — sometimes even painting the actual band names. Later, as I transitioned into professional artistry, music remained central to my work. This led me to create numerous music-related paintings and to host solo exhibitions centered around the theme. Some of these works are featured on this site.
If you’re familiar with my illustrations for various bands, you might notice similarities in my paintings — whether in the color choices (or lack thereof) or the layered composition.
The Purpose
Why this site? Why not? Even if it’s “just” about letter sketches and related artwork, it is an integral part of what I do — just like my love for music. For over 30 years, I’ve been blending these two passions. Now, at 50, I feel like I’m only halfway through. There’s still so much to explore, but it’s equally important to acknowledge what I’ve already created. Looking back at my early works from the ’90s, my exhibitions since 2015, the paintings I’ve produced over the decades, and my publications, I see a clear and consistent thread running through it all. This site is a continuation of that journey — and a work of art in itself.
The Reviews
This feature emerged while building this site and gathering material. Many artists — whether musicians or graffiti writers — are “tool nerds.” We love talking about our gear, comparing tools, and debating which ones are best. Sometimes, we get equipment for testing and review.
Since this site focuses on drawings, I wanted to share what I use to create them and my thoughts on each tool. My process includes more than just markers — there’s also the computer, scanner, tablet, mobile phone, paper, erasers and pencils.
The Testimonials
I wanted to expand this concept by including comments from various artists whose work I’ve complemented with my own. Not an easy task, if you ask me.
Since graffiti isn’t typically associated with heavy music, I was prepared that only a handful of artists would be willing to contribute. And that’s fine. I deeply appreciate those who took the time to share their thoughts with me!
The Nostalgy Value
I love nostalgia — don’t we all? If you said no, you’re probably younger than me. Ask yourself again in 20 years. You see, I started working with websites in the early 2000’s when it was still exciting. Now, with social media dominating and traditional websites considered outdated — like Facebook, the “social media for old farts” — I felt the urge to go back and create something I might have done 20 years ago had I possessed the experience and material I do now.
The Disclaimer
To set the records straight: I am not sponsored or supported by any of the brands reviewed here. I do get asked a lot about this. Yeah, sometimes I am rather vocal about the equipment I use and I have bunch of clothing with various spray paint brands on them. But I bought these with my own money.
But hey, if you represent any of the brands or equipment presented here and want to sponsor me, you know who to contact!