MIZTA INTERVIEW

Muralist, Artist, Creative and Father, we sit down with DC’s very own MIZTA and talk life and graffiti.

How long have you been painting? What got you started?

I've been painting for 13 years. I started in 2012 after catching a few charges for other things. I've always been into graffiti and art but when i was on probation I took the opportunity to change my circle up and reinvent myself because the friends i was around at the time were a revolving door for jail. I went to a store in DC called Art Under Pressure where I mean mugged this other artist as he mean mugged me. After approaching him and talking to him for a bit he got comfortable with me and told me he wrote DABS. This was the official beginning of my career though i tagged a few spots prior to that. DABS would then teach me how to form letters and introduce me to the people i know as my crew now. i never looked back.

What does “graffiti” mean to you?

Graffiti is the ultimate form of expression and free speech to me. Its documenting moments in time though we may not remember the who, what, where, and when... its making a mark to say "I was here". Its rebellion, its saying hey i don't care what the consequences are i'm doing what i love to do. This would in turn birth the muralist in me. The drive that came with graffiti to push myself to get better and better, that translated over directly. My love for the game/sport made me want to develop a multitude of styles so that no matter who i painted next to, i would always fit in. This approach caused me to paint a new sketch each time. Exploring ways to constantly recreate myself and my style.

How do you define “Style”?

Style for me is being able to burn in a multitude of different languages. I never wanted to be known for one style. I see some writers painting the same sketch for 20 years and i think to myself how boring is that. You added an extra arrow or bit but its all the same. Sure that can be YOUR style, but i came up around style masters. SNEK, KASR, SINUS, FANT, MAWK.. these guys were the epitome of style in my area. True masters. This influenced me tremendously.

What is your proudest achievement (number of spots, something massive etc)?

My biggest achievement in the graffiti world would probably be painting about a hundred freights a year. I burned myself out working two jobs and getting my associate and bachelors degree while driving an hour to Baltimore 3/4 times a week to paint trains. Often times getting home as the sun comes up sleeping for an hour or two and starting the process over. Sometimes i would sleep in my car in my jobs parking garage in order to do all that i wanted to.

What's your Dream paint spot?

My dream spot i would probably be somewhere desolate and quiet by the water. My favorite yard would have to be Charlotte, NC. Painting freights near the amusement park with Bandoe and Obsoe watching rollercoasters fly above us.

What keeps you motivated through creative burnout/slumps?

What keeps me motivated is remembering as a 6 year old i knew this was the life that i wanted. I've been infatuated with graffiti since a young child i just never had people around me to push me in creative directions. I was use to running with the wild crowd. Now that I'm much older I'm proud that i became the man I've always wanted to become. Graffiti and art has opened so many doors for me.

How has graffiti affected your mental health? (finances, relationships, career etc)

The lifestyle that comes with graffiti isn't necessarily a healthy one. The people you meet in this game often times come from a place of hurt like you. That's what draws you to these people. The brother/sisterhood the commonalities in life's problems. The unhealthy eating, drugs, breathing paint and train fumes, asbestos filled bando's police activity etc. Learning what's for you and not for you is crucial. If you can overcome those obstacles graffiti and painting becomes a more pure form of therapy (i say more pure because art and graff has always been therapy for me). A few years after getting into graff i became a dad. My daughter is and has always been my life. Learning how to balance fatherhood and a life that wasn't conducive to fatherhood was a challenge at first. It eventually pushed me to be better at both. I had to be more accountable with my time which made me prepare more and want to kill it so much more because i now knew the importance of TIME. My daughter was born in paint. SInce she was born i would bring her to jams and around the crew which made her begin to fall in love with art and even begin to write her own name. No better feeling as a full time dad.

Any chase stories or strange encounters while out painting?

I have been chased many times. By metro police, Amtrak police, yard workers, helicopters, real police in multiple states etc. Comes with the game. I also use to run track, play soccer, and basketball ;) and i mentioned i was on probation for some other felonies so stopping to get pressed was never an option. When i first met Mawk our first bonding experience was running away from police while painting under MICA in bmore. I also have a scar on my leg from hopping a barbwire fence with DABS. Painting yards in bmore we were use to the spot lights from the helicopters. Its always chill until its not. The craziest time was watching the cops drink our beer while me and DONE hopped onto the metro train tracks to get away. I lost a phone 7 grams of weed and some other stuff that day.

How do you balance Graffiti with your day to day life?

Everyday is a challenge lol. DO ANYTHING BUT STOP. I am a writer for life.

What kind of affect has this practice had on your life? Positive or negative?

Graffiti changed my life for the better. Life ruined my graffiti lol.

Where do you hope to see the future of Graffiti?

I hope to see more artist monetize the hustle and love of the game. Being able to provide for your family by "keeping it real", providing opportunities for crewmates, wirting off paint and graff supplies.... why would you want to continue running around and stealing. Reputation is all you have. Family comes first. I think if that is your mentality making the transition should be a no brainer. I don't want to be a poor graffiti artist. I will always paint illegally but there are so many benefits to also painting legally.

If you could give your younger self, day1 writer any advice.. What would you tell yourself?

Be patient with yourself and don't take everything personal. Pride will get you killed and you were lucky to make it out time after time. Everyone like you ain't good FOR you. You need people around you to push you to be better. Mawk and DABS taught me that. They both shared their mothers and families with me. Which is why even after death i will always be there for DABS mom. Same for MAWK he taught me fasting. I often times eat with him his mom and sister. They never looked at me like a degenerate felon.

Who's your favorite writer(s)? Additionally- Any slept on writers we should know about?

Favorite writers SNEK, KASR, MAWK, JAH ONE, ENEM, BUSTA, ELITE, HIERO, and JEKS. most of whom i'm close friends with inside and outside of graff.

Shoutouts:

DABS (rip), SNEK (rip), Random (rip), STAN153 (rip), LULU (rip), MTC crew (DC's top crew), REK x KSK crew, COFK crew, WASHINGTON DC!, ENEM, MAWK, KASR, ROK, STONE, RAIN, VEDO, JITSUE, VEDES, LOBSTA, FAME, SENS, SIEVE, COOL "DISCO" DAN, MEME, DEFY, ADAPT, NEIN, SNOR, BANDOE, RELM, WOEM, ELITE, DEAGO, BERSK, GRAND, APOXY..... annndd my daughter RYLEIGH

Bonus: Dream paint session with what writer(s) dead or alive?

MSK, TATS Cru, shit i painted with ENEM multiple times that was a dream.

Follow MIZTA on socials @miztarious

DO ANYTHING BUT STOP - MIZTA MTC

MIZTA INTERVIEW