Compilation of CALE's work from 1993-2010
"Yes. Fame lasts as long as the time between you hitting your peak and the next young guy coming behind you and making his mark. Strive to be talented, skilled, successful and respected before you aspire fame."
-CALE
MTN: How many years have you been doing graffiti for?
CL: I started tagging in 1987, did my first piece in 1988 but didn't begin doing steady pieces and charters until 1992.
MTN: What attracted you to this art form?
CL: At first I didn't know the difference between gang graffiti and writers. I was 11 when I started to really notice the gang stuff and the drawings they did throwing up their gang sign. I was already drawing so I thought it was a cool idea to do it on a wall. Soon though I realized that there was a BIG difference between the two. Good thing too because I would have hated to go the other direction.
MTN: What differences have you notice in the way graffiti is today as opposed to the way it was when you started?
CL: I don't know if it's because I'm older now but it seems to me that there is no more excitement in graffiti. By that I mean that I remember getting so hyped to go to a yard and see graff. It was a thrill to finally meet a famous writer. Because of that, I think a lot of writers from my generation strive to have sharp skills and be named amongst the best simply to be amongst the best. Today it seems that every time you turn around there is some new guy or girl with sick skills who come out of nowhere. My opinion is that theInternet made it so much more accessible and the new brands of paint made it easier to have can control. Try doing a character with mad detail with a half full RUsto. Spit city!
MTN: Most graffiti artists paint letters and others just characters it is rare to find one that likes or prefers to paint both. Do you have a preference for imagery or would you consider your self more of a traditional letter artist?
CL: I've been asked this before and for a time I really had no answer except to say that they are both equally as challenging but now I think differently. First I started doing mostly characters because everyone who I painted with did letters and after getting into my first Graff crew I became the character/background guy. I think letters are much more forgiving because you can dress them up with all kinds of stuff like fills and arrows and add-ons. A character has to look like something and it is very easy to distinguish the artist who can draw hands and the ones who hide them behind letters or behind the character's back
CL: I don't know if it's because I'm older now but it seems to me that there is no more excitement in graffiti. By that I mean that I remember getting so hyped to go to a yard and see graff. It was a thrill to finally meet a famous writer. Because of that, I think a lot of writers from my generation strive to have sharp skills and be named amongst the best simply to be amongst the best. Today it seems that every time you turn around there is some new guy or girl with sick skills who come out of nowhere. My opinion is that theInternet made it so much more accessible and the new brands of paint made it easier to have can control. Try doing a character with mad detail with a half full RUsto. Spit city!
MTN: Most graffiti artists paint letters and others just characters it is rare to find one that likes or prefers to paint both. Do you have a preference for imagery or would you consider your self more of a traditional letter artist?
CL: I've been asked this before and for a time I really had no answer except to say that they are both equally as challenging but now I think differently. First I started doing mostly characters because everyone who I painted with did letters and after getting into my first Graff crew I became the character/background guy. I think letters are much more forgiving because you can dress them up with all kinds of stuff like fills and arrows and add-ons. A character has to look like something and it is very easy to distinguish the artist who can draw hands and the ones who hide them behind letters or behind the character's back
MTN: What artists have influence you, in or out of the graffiti scene?
CL: As far as graffiti I, like thousands of other people, was influenced by Slick and Hex. Big wow, right? Later in life though, I started studying fine arts or rather started researching it on my own and now I can say I am influenced by the renaissance masters.
MTN: In the many years that you have been painting you might have seen some interesting pieces or walls painted in the city of L.A. Do you have a favorite or memorable wall that you were blown away by.
CL: As far as graffiti I, like thousands of other people, was influenced by Slick and Hex. Big wow, right? Later in life though, I started studying fine arts or rather started researching it on my own and now I can say I am influenced by the renaissance masters.
CALE on Golden West box car C.1997
MTN: In the many years that you have been painting you might have seen some interesting pieces or walls painted in the city of L.A. Do you have a favorite or memorable wall that you were blown away by.
CL: Yes. There are a few that have made me appreciate the beauty of graffiti. Skill's wild style silvers, Size and Bash's "Skate" piece at Belmont, Swanks devil dodging a rock at Commerce and a sketch of a character Design 9 did somewhere on Washington a long time ago and never finished. I just really liked the sketch. Obviously I have to say that the "Alien vs. Predator" wall I did with my crew a couple of years back in El Sereno is one of my favorites. But aside from walls I really dug Gin's, Key's, Angst's and Tempt's throw-ups or throwies as they call them today.
MTN: L.A graffiti battles have been rare. There are only a hand full that I can remember. Are there any battles in particular that stand out to you?
CL: Man, I always regret not being able to go see the Slick Vs. Hex battles. Those guys did so much for our culture that everyone should at least remember that and be thankful that they raised the bar so high at such and early time in Graff. That motivated me to try and be the best I possibly could. I also have to say the friendly battle between my good friend Dash 2000 and myself. We had a great time painting and continued to be good friends after. Rest in peace D2K of course.
MTN: Is there any writer in particular that does not paint any more but you would like for them to make a come back.
CL: Skill
MTN: L.A graffiti battles have been rare. There are only a hand full that I can remember. Are there any battles in particular that stand out to you?
CL: Man, I always regret not being able to go see the Slick Vs. Hex battles. Those guys did so much for our culture that everyone should at least remember that and be thankful that they raised the bar so high at such and early time in Graff. That motivated me to try and be the best I possibly could. I also have to say the friendly battle between my good friend Dash 2000 and myself. We had a great time painting and continued to be good friends after. Rest in peace D2K of course.
MTN: Is there any writer in particular that does not paint any more but you would like for them to make a come back.
CL: Skill
MTN: My impression of your work is that it is quite refined and very marketable. I can definitely imagine your designs as illustrations for magazines, t-shirts or video game covers. Is this something that you are currently exploring?
CL: I do work for many clothing lines and have a done graphics work for clients ranging from logos to page spreads to illustrations. I try to stay as versatile as possible which helps me stay busy, employed and fed.
CL: I do work for many clothing lines and have a done graphics work for clients ranging from logos to page spreads to illustrations. I try to stay as versatile as possible which helps me stay busy, employed and fed.
MTN: Tell us about any new projects you have in mind or are currently working on?
CL: I do creative work everyday but mostly work for hire. I am currently working on a series of paintings which I hope to put on display sometime next year. As much as I love Graff and graphics, I still embrace fine arts as food for my soul and hopefully I can find a good venue to share my passion with others.
CL: I do creative work everyday but mostly work for hire. I am currently working on a series of paintings which I hope to put on display sometime next year. As much as I love Graff and graphics, I still embrace fine arts as food for my soul and hopefully I can find a good venue to share my passion with others.
"I never imagined I would be doing that for him or any one of my friends. Such is life though." -CALEMTN: If you had a choice of one piece of art that you would most like to be remembered for which of your pieces would it be?
CL: The portrait of my friend Dash. It was painted with a heavy heart because I never imagined I would be doing that for him or any one of my friends. Such is life though.
MTN: With the popularity of graffiti growing a lot of young kids are attracted to doing it. Would there be any advise that you would give to a young aspiring writer?
CL: Yes. Fame lasts as long as the time between you hitting your peak and the next young guy coming behind you and making his mark. Strive to be talented, skilled, successful and respected before you aspire fame.
MTN: We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and perspective with us. We wish you the best in your future endeavors
CL: Thanks, guys!
For more of CALE's work be sure to catch him painting live at MAINTAIN's 3rd Writers Bench this SUNDAY from 3pm-7pm or visit www.illfeelin.com
CL: Thanks, guys!
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