This makes me happy

Have you seen the movie Exit Through the Gift Shop? It's a pretty awesome movie about street art and a lot of it takes place in L.A. and Hollywood. Now that I live in West Hollywood, I often get to see Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Space Invader originals on the regular. And ever since I was a kid this sort of vandalism intrigued me. I remember vividly a trip to Seattle where my brother called some graffiti a "victimless crime" and it really stuck with me. The idea that a crime could even be "victimless" at all was so fascinating. Thus began my intrigue with street art.

A few years ago I discovered the artist Edgar Mueller, who does amazing chalk drawings in 3D on the sidewalk. How could anyone call this a crime, or vandalism? Temporary as it may be, it unquestionably art.

Likewise, I find it funny to take away letters or re-arrange them on existing signs so that they say something else. One time I changed a sign that said 4 hats for $20 to 2 hats for $40. Not very criminal, but devious nonetheless. I thought it was a hilarious prank because it's the type of error to go unnoticed. I drove by that Walgreen's for a week and cracked up at my own handy work before that sign got changed back. In High School our guidance counselor had inspirational signs all over campus. Yellow ones with purple font. And one said, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." And my friend Dinaz and I made a sign, with yellow paper and purple letters stenciled on it, that said "vandalism" and taped it over the word "kindness" so it said, "no act of vandalism, no matter how small, is ever wasted." We did a fine job of making our graffiti blend in with the original sign if I do say so myself, but needless to say it was removed shortly after. But it's not like it went to WASTE. Now, I want to change the Premium Suit Outlet on Hollywood Blvd. to Premium Shit Outlet SOOO bad. If I could just find a way... 

Since moving here, I have wanted to create a few roller skate stencils. Try my hand at this guerilla art. (Perhaps something that says "Roll Model" or "0 Emissions"? I haven't decided yet...) So you can imagine my delight when I happened upon this:

It's a Sanrio ad for girl skateboards, and someone put rollerblades on Hello Kitty!!! My friend remarked that they look like they are supposed to be there, and they sure do, don't they? But I can assure you, that is vandalism my friend. Grade A, pre-meditated, planned-100% graffiti. Or as I like to call it, professional L.A. street art. Well done kids! Great Job.

I wish I could say I did it, but someone beat me to it. I sure would like to meet whoever did though.