Houston graffiti artist transforms city's street art

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's not uncommon to see graffiti on the sides of bridges or abandoned buildings. But now there's a man who is almost singlehandedly working to change the image of street art in Houston by tagging places you wouldn't expect.

When Gonzo247 first tried to get his work into mainstream exhibit halls, he was often told no.

"'Graffiti's not art. You're a vandal. Get out of here, I'm going to call the cops,'"he says about the most common responses he received.

Today, he is one of the country's most sought after graffiti artists with a waiting list of clients wanting to pay him to paint on their walls, including the newly opened Downtown Marriott, NRG Stadium, Phoenicia Foods, the Houston Public Library, and Market Square.

"As a graffiti artist, I feel I was once wanted by the city, but now 25 years later, I'm wanted by the city but in a different capacity," Gonzo said.

Now he's wanted not only for his work, but also for his message. Through his studio Aerosol Warfare and guest teaching in area schools, Gonzo works every day to fight the negative connotations surrounding the spray can.

"People tend to fear what's unknown. If they can come a see a really beautiful piece of artwork, then it will slowly change the perception of what graffiti is," he said.

Current projects include Furniture and Texas-themed cigar boxes. The latest request from repeat client Saint Arnold's Brewery that has him most excited is a billboard.

"Back in the day, graffiti artists just loved to climb a billboard and paint the billboard," he said. "To have someone come now and say 'Hey, do you want to paint a billboard for me?' It's amazing!"

To keep it all in perspective, Gonzo wears his passion around his neck, a necklace designed out of used spray can nozzles from his lifetime of projects.

"I can literally feel it and I can remember that I'm blessed because at one point I was just a kid with a can of paint and this dream. Today I can definitely say that I'm living off my art," Gonzo said.

If you're interested in learning graffiti techniques, Gonzo offers classes at his Aerosol Warfare Studio.