New Site!

Yes we have been a ghost on this page but that doesn't mean we've fallen off.  We have been hard at work trying to get our site up and running.  While we've been doing that we've been organizing our products for production and more!  Things are getting very exciting for us and we're eager to have an official launch for our site.  Even though it is up and running there are plenty of errors and a few broken links.  The broken links are still pages we're working on but will be up one by one daily.  We just added our 'Product' page but the individual product pages are not up yet.  We will keep you updated as there are news to report.  Stay up and until then, check us out on facebook, facebook.com/graffinctrades

Website Fossils

Are graffiti archive style websites a thing of the past?  Have they gone the way of MySpace and Bing?  Well, I guess they're still around but who uses it and who ever used Bing to begin with?  A decade ago there was no such thing as an 'app' and you had to search relatively hard to find your favorite writer online.  We've heard old school writers from the 80s talk about how it was before the internet.  I guess this is this generations "before the app" or "before social media".

Apps and the popular social media choices has changed the game drastically.  One can find nearly any writer they want and now have the chance to interact with that person.  Instagram is probably the biggest influence of this as we've seen writers have hundreds and thousands of followers and half of their Instagram posts are shots of their dinner.  Kids still jock them and their "dope dinner" comments.  We're not hating at all, just simply reflecting on how apps and these social media style sites have become such a powerful tool.  Probably one of the most positive influences in the graffiti culture thus yet.

Anonymity still exists on Twitter, Instagram and Flickr however there is a lot more accountability than you would find in a forum .  "Back in my day", it was online forums to see new graffiti from else where in the world.  Online archive sites were the cool thing and to submit your photos and have them archived was a way to get your name out.  You use to hear a lot about this or that site but does anyone go on those sites anymore?  We  like the way the culture has evolved and adapted to these new trends.  We understand that online graffiti forums and archived sites are still out there and are still used but theyre not as talked about or used as much they use to be

Freight Fridays Feature Fix

There are writers who get up bombing their neighborhood and city.  There are also writers who like to stay legal and do big productions and sometimes get paid to do them.  There are those that like to do pieces on freight cars.

Crushing freight cars deserves its own individual level of respect because there's a lot of preparation that goes into a freight mission. Getting in and out unnoticed and without injury is an accomplishment in it's self.  To get your name up and have it seen throughout the country and later benched on the internet is rewarding.  A lot of curves, bumps, handles and painting on metal alone isn't easy.  To keep it clean while pitch dark, on metal and working around the elements that make up a train car is respectable and not as easy as non-train writers would think.  Many big names have came and gone through the years but many come back every now and then.  The writer that shares an equal love for rolling stock as they do for graffiti and are skilled enough will actually paint around all of the stenciling as well.

Todays pick is a cylinder hopper done by FOX.  Below we found a nice flat panel Canadian National clean car.  Enjoy your Freight Friday and stay safe!

Featured Artist of the Day (2014)

Are you following us on Facebook?  If you're not, then why?  We are using our Facebook page to post articles, updates and news.  Also, there will be a different artist featured every day from your submissions.  We want to post graffiti from all around the world.  You can submit your photos to; sales@graffinctrades.com.  This is a very exciting time and we are looking forward to the future as this album grows.

Like, comment and share this album and its photos.  We appreciate any and all support and completely recognize that without you and your support we wouldn't be here today.  Thank you thus far and in advance for all that you do for us.

The Art of Streaking

'Streaks' or 'monikers' is a unique form of graffiti as the only people that really see them are graffiti writers and railroaders.  This form of graffiti started as early as the 30's and was used by railroaders and hobos.  They were mainly messages with solid paint sticks in North America.  As the graffiti artists gravitated towards the freight trains in the late 80's and early 90's, they slowly adopted this art form.  You can now you find streaks being done with the paint sticks or paint markers.

This form of graffiti really doesn't get the respect that it deserves.  They are small and easy to get dozens up quickly however it is an artform and dates way before graffiti ever hit a subway car in New York City.  Steaks are unique and mainly feature some kind of a design and at times are dated or have a location where they're from.  Railroaders continue this tradition as well, but not as much as they used to.

Streaks get covered all the time by graffiti writers painting, bombing and tagging freight trains.  I dont know any that could about a streak on a car.  We're not trying to debate the importance or hierarchy of graffiti on trains.  We just feel that streaks deserve more recognition and we try to flick and post as much as we can.  Some are very elaborate like the piece below and are less likely to get covered but it all depends on the writer.

Among the full color pieces, tags and freight stenciling it's easy to understand how streaks can get lost and not much attention.  Many streaks fade but their outlines remain like a ghost.  The streaks preserve the color of the car as the rest of it fade away by the elements and sunlight.




Here are a few more streaks,

#PANELPIECES

  GraffInc Trades proudly brings you, #PANELPIECES.  It's a photography/art exhibit by one of the founders of graffinc.com and the new company, graffinctrades.com.  Rolling Stock Gallery is the venue holding this event.  The gallery is located in Fort Lauderdale at 506 NW 1st Ave.  The event will take place on March 29th from 7-11p.  For more information, please visit our event page on facebook at the following link, #PANELPIECES.  You can also e-mail us for more information at sales@graffinctrades.com.

We sat down with Todd briefly and asked him why he wanted to do this.  He simply replied, "I've always wanted to do my own gallery event".  He continued to say, "I'm very grateful for Rolling Stock Gallery to allow me to hold this event".  He explains that all work will have something to do with trains and many will be of tight squared up shots on freight train cars.  We had to ask why freight train cars and he explained that freight trains hold so much art in and on itself and are so photogenic.  The photo below is a sample collage of what visitors can expect to see at the show.

The one catch is that this event is currently tentative.  Rolling Stock's lease is up this monday and may not renew.  Todd and GraffInc Trades is fully aware of this stipulation however are moving forward as if it's a guarantee.  In the unfortunate event that this event is to be cancelled, we will be sure to notify everyone promptly.

We hope to see you there and remember to post your visit with the hashtag, #PANELPIECES.