Kuta HEM BWS

I started painting back in ’95. Back then I was running around with a lot of gangsters and was tagging “Weasel”. I was raised in a predominantly Hispanic community with a lot of Surenos and so I was very infatuated with gangster tags, having fun, smoking weed and drinking MD 20/20. After a few years, I ran into a couple of girls who were into graffiti and hip-hop scene. I started painting with them, and became known as Kuta One. We formed a crew called KUAD which later became known as DCF. I still hit DCF up from time to time, but currently, I rep HEM and BWS.

I came from a highly artistic family and everyone has some type of talent or at least interest. Everybody has been encouraging and supportive of my lifestyle. My father and grandfather were sign makers and pinstripers so I’ve always had an appreciation for lettering and clean lines. A lot of my influence came from my peers rather than older cats, per se. I learned a lot from my homie Beks DMS SRT IBD. He took me out to paint my first freights. Phevr IBD and Dams ABH also had a lot of influence and have helped shape who I’ve become.

There was a point back in probably 2001-02 where I was painting horribly and still getting props just for being up and being a female, but I was happy with that… then these two guys who wrote Jest and Aker told me straight up that I sucked. That was a break screeching halt for me. I wanted to prove so badly that I could be good to them. I started painting five freights a week minimum, I was piecing and trying new things, pushing my limits and finally started putting out quality work. I am thankful for those two guys, their criticism helped me tremendously.

One person that I must mention as my favorite artist is Mutes KOG. I think he’s amazing and his letters drive me nuts and as much as I hate to admit it. And Yikes KOG taught me how to paint fast, big and clean. I’m making a conscious effort right now to paint with people who paint because they really love it. People like Romanse179 HYSU EW ROF. He paints for himself and his drive inspires and reminds me of when painting was just pure fun.

I don’t really know if I have a set style, I like to experiment and really just paint whatever makes me feel happy. Versatility is important, I can fit my entire fist in my mouth and I own a chinchilla. I paint a lot for shows and do commissioned work from time to time. When I start painting a canvas I think about what I would like to hang in my own house or bedroom. Then, if it doesn’t sell I’m never stuck with anything that I hate to look at every day. I think I get offered a lot of shows and galleries just for the simple fact that I’m a girl, but then again that could be my classic low self-esteem talking.

For a while I was trying to paint like a guy so that people couldn’t tell I was a chick, then I got over that and went balls to the wall with the fruity colors. Red is my favorite flavor of candy, but any shade of pink is great for paint. I wish i still had a full stock of Berry Pink, that is one of my all time favorites.

I don’t think I’ve had any bad experiences painting. If I’ve been chased it always ended in laughter and there’s nothing better than a good laugh. I like to bring snacks along when I paint, don’t be surprised if I pull out half a burrito from my pocket, a girl’s got to eat.

I paint to clear my mind of all the clutter that is my life. Painting illegally is the only time that my mind is numb to the rest of the world. My addictive personality does not allow me to quit. If I go too long without painting I feel like a failure and the urge to paint eats at my insides. The older I get the more I find myself doing things that are community based. Right now I’m working on mural boards for the 2011 Children’s Summit. It’s a different type of fulfillment and pushes me to get over my ninja anxieties. I struggle a lot with becoming a yuppie art fag. On one hand, I crave the recognition and like the money, on the other hand I don’t want anyone telling me when and how to paint. That defeats the purpose of doing something you love.

-Kuta One
Gangsta Extraordinaire

You can check out more of Kuta’s artwork at Scaling the Wall, an art show discussing the complex and evolving relationship between street art and the arts institution. Opening reception is Friday, March 18, 8–11pm. Click here for more info.