going through the same thing, they may get inspired by your movement, your art or what you are doing.

K: What inspires you in your own art?

C: When someone appreciates what I do that’s what inspires me. It pushes me forward. My brothers and sisters keep

motivating me to do it and I do the same for them.

K: Are there any artists out there that you look to for inspiration?

C: Mark Ecko. A lot of people compare my stuff to his but I don’t agree with it. I don’t think you can compare yourself to anyone. He’s a

legend, I look at his work and he gives inanimate objects light and that’s what I try to do.

K: What is your main focus with your art?

C: On a book I had a spray can with a graf note and different words coming from the can. This kid saw it and liked it. He wanted to copy it so I said, “Go for it.” He got really inspired by that and it made me really happy. I guess my main focus is to inspire those around me. I want to encourage people.

K: Is working with kids is an avenue you’d like to you’d like to venture into?

C: Yeah definitely. I mean there’s a lot of kids out there that are now going through things that I’ve already been through. I’d like to help keep them off of the streets and

create programs for them. I’d love to work on a mural project. Young kids are getting back into street art and we might as well make something positive out of it. Make it legal. Instead of giving kids community service or fines the city should have a way for these kids to be a part of the community and use art as a way of making the city a better place. Why should community service have to be a bad thing? Why can’t it involve making murals or beautifying the abandoned lots. Give the kids some-