BIGGIE TRIBUTE

A tribute to east coast hiphop and a night out in Bed Stuy.

The mural that inspired this piece was in threats of being destroyed.

The building owner wanted to add windows. This caused controversy and I was motivated further to help immortalize the piece.

CLIENT
Personal

Colorful illustration of a large figure with a crown, wearing a gold chain with a car and boombox. The background features rooftops with plants and small figures interacting on a balcony.

One Night in Brooklyn…

Illustration of a teal car with the word "THANKS" painted in graffiti style, a boombox on the roof, and a gold chain on a pink background.

Illustration of two people and a friendly character peeking from behind a pink wall with simple, playful lines and colors.

One warm evening, my brother and I walked through Bed Stuy with some donuts in hand. People walking, getting their shopping done, some hanging out listening to music, etc. Nothing out of the ordinary for the neighborhood when I saw this art installment of a Mercedes with "THANKS" painted on it, with a boombox atop.

Collage of urban art, street scenes, and pop culture. Includes a car with graffiti "THANKS", murals of famous figures, colorful illustrations, and movie posters. Themes of hip-hop, activism, and creativity are present.

I started thinking, "Thanks".. that's nice. Thanks to Biggie, sure.

But really, thanks to New York for what you've done for art.

Thanks to Spike Lee for film and one of the most influential movies, "Do the Right thing".

Thanks to Basquiat though not New York born, certainly not a stranger to the area.

Thanks for the Lower East Side for providing space for the LGBTQ+ community to feel safe and grow.

Simplicity

Illustrated large figure with gold chain and car labeled 'THANKS,' surrounded by small people and buildings, rooftop with plants and activities.

Line art mural featuring large portrait with crown and chain, urban elements, and cartoonish figures on a city street.

I'd send comps to friends asking where I could simplify, they'd say, 'Well what if we got rid of x or y?' and most of the time removing helped create the focus where it needed to be.

The eye starts at the eyes of biggie, and follow his nose downward until it hit's the next highest contrast in value in proximity, which is the chain, pointing down to the secondary point of attention, "Thanks". From there I was hoping you'd be dragged down and around up to the roof gardens through the ladders climbing upward.