“I started writing as a young teenager in the mid 90’s, but I began to take it more seriously later on. I think my infatuation with different fonts and the sub-conscience impressions that street bombing left in me and wanting to stay out of that L.A. gang life was the prelude to me starting to write.

Growing up, double standard became more obvious. That’s why I chose a name that didn’t give my gender away. I felt as though if I were going to be critique it would at the same standards as everyone else. For a long time I never introduced myself as “Jerk” or wanted people to be able to put a face to the name. 

I’ve always felt that I am my own competitor so it’s important to me to try and do better and different than my last piece. I don’t think I’ve made an abnormal impact in the graffiti scene. If anything I’ve solidified that I can do it just as good as the next and that being a woman in graffiti is a coincidence, not a crutch.

I had recently read an interview the homie ‘Midzt’ did and he was asked what he thought about the internet and the role it plays in graffiti. He said that the internet was a double-edged sword. If it wasn’t for the internet, you probably wouldn’t be able to see much graffiti from around the world. But on the other hand, you have more kids starting to write without the mentor-ship of the older writers. This can cause youngsters to do dumb shit, like bombs over pieces, etc. And I couldn’t agree with that more.”

Jerk has been from G.A.W., “Growth And Wisdom”, since 2000. Duce and Tistik started G.A.W. crew in 1989 in South Central Los Angeles.