I’ve been fascinated with ‘proper’ graffiti since a child – I love the colour, the vibrancy, the illegality of the hobby and the absolute control of the medium and the application. I’ve also owned a ‘how-to’ book for a number of years, well-thumbed but never used. That all changed when I made a journal from corrugated cardboard and once I’d started tearing off the surface layer, the idea developed to make faux rusty corrugated iron complete with requisite graffiti. I’ve tried different styles and colouring methods, starting with Sharpie pens, trying an image transfer, then Pitt Artist Pens. Then I had a sudden thought of how to replicate the aerosol can at this small scale – I got out my LetraJet air brush attachment for my Promarkers and thus smooth blends appeared. Lots of Posca pen use as well to finish things off.

Used in this journal:

• DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics: Titan Buff / Raw Umber / Paynes Grey / Quinacridone Gold
• DecoArt Americana Acrylic Sealer/Finisher Matte Spray
• DecoArt Americana Photo Transfer Medium
• DecoArt Media Ultra-Matte Varnish
• DecoArt Americana Stencils: Pixelated [ASMM46] / Short Circuit [ASMM39]
• That Special Touch Mask/Stencil: Alphabet Sprinkle
• Sharpie Pens [fine point]
• Posca Pens (1M, 3M, 5M sizes)
• Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink: Vintage Photo
• Book rings – 1½” diameter