Urban Art - LIVE! T-shirt launch party and art happening

Bad Monkey Designs is hosting an evening of arts and entertainment at Jillian's in Manchester NH on Friday August 5th! Please join the Bad Monkey Crew, and Armando Silva, as we present to you Urban Art - LIVE! Doors will be opening promptly at 6pm. Armando will be showcasing his original canvases that were the inspiration for the latest Bad Monkey release - ICONS - and quite possible a few more!

There will be T-shirt raffles, cash bar, special guest: DJ Eric Poss, and some fantastic people to meet and mingle with. Armando will be doing what's he's becoming very famous for, PAINTING. Live painting begins at 8pm! A second raffle will be held for the canvas created on-site that evening. You really don't want to miss this event! Admission is free and this event is open to the public. Bring a friend, or two or three....

A portion of the night's proceeds will be donated to the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County. For more information on the amazing work CAC's are doing for children in nearly every community, please visit their website: http://cac-nh.org/.

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com


(for directions, please visit the Jillian's website here)

Live In Color

Live in color means something very special to us. Take your life and live it to the fullest! Use the entire spectrum of color each and every day! Bad Monkey Designs has been inspired by a very talented young artist, which has spawned a new line of our already popular graffiti wear. We are pleased to introduce you to the Icon Collection - a collaboration between Bad Monkey Designs and Colorado's finest - Armando Silva! (We've mentioned Armando's work in past blogs, but just in case you hadn't seen those posts, you can read them here, and here.) The Icon Collection currently features 4 very recognizable faces, which we know you will just love. There's someone for everyone!


May we present to you the King of Rock and Roll! That's right - Elvis. Elvis has always rocked in our hearts, made us want to dance, and in a very deep voice say, "Thank you. Thank you, very much." Now you can show your love for Elvis by wearing the BMDEZ graff version of him on your brand new T-shirt, with a great tag line, "Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine".  Oh yeah. I'm in LOVE and all shook up over this one. Your friends will be, too when they see you sporting this icon!



The next icon we present to you is Muhammad Ali! Three time World Heavyweight Champion is the subject of this urban wear from Bad Monkey Designs and Armando Silva. "The Fight of the Century", "The Rumble in the Jungle" and "The Thrilla in Manilla" earned Ali his self proclaimed title of THE GREATEST! Ali never had a lack of praise to sing for himself. His most famous quote was that he could "float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee". We've watched him do both of these things with his unmatched talent. Wear this amazing graff T and let the rest of the world know that you can be THE GREATEST, too!

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), also known as Biggie Smalls. The NOTORIOUS BIG (Business Instead of Game and, since his death, Books Instead of Guns) - like only Bad Monkey Designs can deliver. Armando Silva captured the big man so well in this painting, we just HAD to put it in the icon line! Nothing is more true to the urban hip hop music scene than the legend, Big Poppa. Here he is, in all his infamous glory, for you to wear all around town. Show your love and support for this icon by getting yours today!

The fourth icon hardly needs any introduction - already a favorite to BMDEZ - the one and only Bruce Lee, born on Nov 27, 1940 - in the year of the Dragon. From Enter the Dragon to Fists of Fury, there is no other martial arts movie star more recognizable than the The Dragon himself. Painted by Armando Silva, this urban wear was tagged by us with one of his famous quotes, "Be like water, my friend." Bruce Lee has been an icon for years, and will be for years to come. Get your Bad Monkey version of this familiar face, and impress all your friends with your new T! Why wait? Bruce wouldn't want you to.


As you can see, the collaboration between Bad Monkey Designs and Armando Silva brings us much joy, and allows us to showcase amazing artwork. We mentioned that there is someone for everyone in the Icon Collection, but fear not, friends! We are not done! Keep watch for more icons in the coming weeks and months. Since we were so inspired by Armando Silva's artwork, we wanted to translate that inspiration onto a graff t-shirt for you to enjoy. Be inspired! Inspire your friends! LIVE IN COLOR!

Use coupon code ICONS for 20% off!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com

Do What You Do!

Bad Monkey Designs first introduced you to Armando Silva in April this year when we posted his self promotional video "Closer to my dreams". While that vid gave us, and you the reader, a little insight into the World of Armando, it left us here at BMDEZ wanting more. We found we were asking ourselves how exactly does he do what he does? I mean, we know "what" he does, but how does he get it done??!

Well - we shall ask no more! Thanks to a recent post on You Tube, we were able to see Armando in action in a BIG WAY! We watched him create an absolutely genius mural on the streets of Colorado in 4 days time....all by himself! Amazing work from an amazingly talented young artist. Now if we could only get him to paint on a Bad Monkey Designs T-Shirt.....hmm.

Armando - what do you think?

Check out the latest from Mr Silva here:

 

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com

NYC Graffiti Legends Tell All

Bad Monkey Designs would like to take a moment to recognize a “great” in the world of graffiti art. May we present to you Frank Gerard Godlewski, to whom we must pay some beastly homage. Mr Godlewski is the curator of an historic Graffiti art exhibition and charity auction entitled NYC Graffiti Legends Tell All. This exhibit features the work of the “first generation” of New York street artists, Lava I & II, Bama, StayHigh 149, Flint 707 and Mico.

Not only is he Curator and former graff artist, but his point of view on graffiti is one that we, here at Bad Monkey, strongly share. Why is it that graffiti is being sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars, when the street artists are still considered criminals? Not only have these first generation artists been almost forgotten, they continue to be persecuted for their artwork. Godlewski told the press, “We have to make a reconciliation with graffiti....It's one of our most important art forms.” We couldn't agree more. This form of art is unique, and one that should be celebrated openly! Why should artists have to hide their talent? Because the canvas is wrong? Says who?!?

One of the “first generation” crew, now a middle-class grandfather, found out that his wife had a terminal disease. His first reaction was to do what consoled him – spray art. And he did. The police already knew his tag, tracked him down and arrested him. His wife died while he was incarcerated. Is this expressive outlet truly deserving of such a punishment??

According to Godlewski graffiti is: “OURS — we’re a part of it. Out here in the suburbs, we’re the commuters who ride the painted trains. We’re all a part of the movement.” We ARE part of a movement. It's not a small movement, either. We're proud to be a part of it, and so should you be.

Art is Not a Crime!

To read the article that inspired today's post, click here. 

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

Mondo Monkey line featured on I AM THE TREND!

This past month, Bad Monkey Designs launched the new Mondo Monkey line. We always strive to be on the "cutting edge", and this week, we were recognized for just that by making the front page of I AM THE TREND!!

I AM THE TREND is an amazing online magazine that features not only the latest in indie clothing companies, but they also have the pulse on upcoming bands and artists, and many other cool products they deem themselves worthy of reporting. As their site states, and we must have to agree, they do have "something for everyone". Check them out, and see for yourself!!

Don't forget to shop the Mondo Monkey collection - ONLY from Bad Monkey Designs!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

New Graff T's! Mondo Monkey line available EXCLUSIVELY at Bad Monkey Designs!!!

All of you reading this already know that Bad Monkey Designs is best known for its graffiti inspired urban wear. You will be even more excited to learn that we have just released four new t-shirts for Spring 2011! Only this time, BMDEZ is taking a decidedly different turn from our traditional graff t's. Owner and artist Christopher Sosa is excited to introduce a brand new line to the store called the "Mondo Monkey Collection"!! Featuring classic movie icons, 70's grindhouse imagery and a passion for the off-beat, these designs mark the beginning of a new era for Bad Monkey Designs.

Have no fear! The love for graffiti and urban art has not changed. Included in the Spring Collection is another version of the company motto "Art is Not a Crime". Emblazoned on one of our signature, black t-shirts, Bad Monkey Designs once again shows it support and respect for all the talented taggers out there!

Be sure to stay tuned for more additions to our growing line of one of kind t-shirts. You certainly don't want to miss what we have planned for the rest of the season, including a new featured artist, and an ALL NEW collection of LADY'S graffiti inspired t shirts and tank tops!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

Double XL Graffiti T's are now available!

Hey Bad Monkey Designs fans! One of the most common questions we have gotten from you, our customers, is: "Do you have that in XXL?"

Well, you asked, and we answered! We are now offering XXL on ALL designs in the BMDEZ store. All your favorites can be ordered in any size you want. So don't wait any longer! Order your graffiti T-shirt today!

Don't forget that we still have select designs that are 2 for $20! Click HERE to shop now!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

TWO FOR $20.00 GRAFF T SALE!

                                          

Hey loyal BMDEZ fans - have we got a special for you! We have paired up some of our slickest designs selling at ONLY 2 for $20! Get your graff wear HERE and NOW! What are you waiting for...?!

  

Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

Closer to my dreams

Bad Monkey Designs would like to take a moment to recognize a Denver, CO artist. When we say "artist" we mean that in every sense of the word. Let us introduce you to Armando Silva. Armando is not just a painter, or a sketch artist, he is also a dancer and choreographer. Creativity oozes from this young man, and we are PROUD to call him a friend. Please take a few minutes to watch Armando showcase his talents; we promise you will not be disappointed!

Our hats go off to you, Armando, for pursuing what you want out of life. What an inspiration to everyone! You make us all feel as though we can become closer to OUR dreams! Please visit Armando's website at http://aisgarts.com/home and share the love.

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

Sticker packs are IN!!

Our first Bad Monkey Designs Sticker Pack includes three 2.75" original graffiti designs. All of our slap tags are hand made in the USA and printed on weatherproof vinyl! They're scratch proof and fade proof! And get this: ONLY $3.00, and that includes shipping!

Don't be left out. Order yours now!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

No Foolin'

Hey to all you FOOLS out there! Bad Monkey Designs is having an April Fool's Day Sale!! Order on Friday, April 1, 2011 using discount code: NOFOOLIN and you'll get 25% off your entire order! That's right - 25% OFF!

 COUPON CODE NOFOOLIN ON APRIL FOOLS DAY! 25% OFF!

For those HARDCORE fans, you'll also notice that we have reduced our shipping prices - so don't delay! Take advantage of tomorrow's sale! April Fools only comes once a year, and you don't want to be tagged as a fool for not taking advantage of this, now do you?!?

NOFOOLIN really does get you 25% OFF! Click HERE to shop now!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

5Pointz in Long Island City may soon see it's last spray can.

What has been called the "graffiti mecca" in the world of urban art, may soon be torn down to make way for a $300 million project, which will house two high-rise buildings full of residential space. The plans to tear down 5Pointz have not yet been approved, but should be submitted to city hall within the next two weeks.

The space has been owned by Jerry Wolcoff since 1971. Wolcoff has always supported the urban art on his property, but apparently now feels as though this area of the city needs "revitalization". He wants to dramatically remake the entire block along Jackson Ave that surround 5Pointz.

Jonathon Cohen, the founder of 5Pointz collective, has been quoted as saying, "If it were to happen, it would be no different than tearing down the MOMA or the Guggenheim. It is not just any other building with graffiti on it. It is the epicenter for graffiti artists from all over the world." Cohen also questions whether or not the "magic" of this space can be re-created elsewhere. Each year artists spray-paint 1,000 new works on the building's concrete and steel canvass.

Let's hope they don't just send in a bulldozer to knock it all down. These are beautiful works of graffiti art that should be preserved somehow. Concrete art museum, maybe? Let us know what YOU think!

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

 

It's in the technique

You know that Bad Monkey Designs is all about the urban graffiti style of imagery, whether it be stencils, slap tags, or wild style. Though the more you get to know us, the more you will see that we have an appreciation for art in all it's forms. This image is a painting by New York artist Holton Rower. Mr. Rower is a New York native, currently residing in Brooklyn Heights with a studio in Lower Manhattan. His style is certainly unique. However, in this case more important than his style, is his technique.  


 
This is truly an original artist! Our hats go off to you, sir! To see how this painting comes to life, watch the video below. You will be absolutely amazed!!  Enjoy.

 

Bad Monkey Designs

Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com    

Art Is Not a Crime!

Bad Monkey Designs is all about the entire graffiti movement. However, looking at our collection, one can see a certain lean toward a particular style. While the Wild Style murals of this urban art form are truly amazing. We've always had particular interest in the stencils, stickers (or, slaptags) and scrawlings of those artists that have a message.

Take, for instance, a series of messages painted throughout New Jersey's Hudson County. This unknown artist has taken to quoting Bob Dylan and obscure foreign films. Some of his more prolific include, "Your Days of Plenty are Numbered" and "Dear Hoboken, don't follow leaders, watch your parking meters". While cryptic, it also gives one cause to stop, think and interpret the real meaning of the message - question authority? stick it to the man? wake up, people? No one is quite sure. For Bad Monkey Designs, this is the appeal. You can read more about this artist at the Cliffview Pilot website.

After reading the article from the Cliffview, it was a reminder of other taggers that have been responsible for these "campaigns of thought". Borf was a graffiti movement started in 2004 in Washington, D.C. by art student John Tsombikos. It is said that his series of tags were inspired by the suicide of a very close friend. The "Borf Brigade" later claimed that "capitalism and the culture of aesthetics created the alienation and feelings of worthlessness that caused the 16-year-old to commit suicide" Phrases and murals with tags like "Grown Ups are Obsolete" and "Borf Writes Letter to Your Children" were seen everywhere in the D.C. area for almost two years.

It's artists such as these that have become part of the core inspiration to Bad Monkey Designs' collection of graffiti inspired urban wear. Creative minds like Borf and others before him make the average passer-by stop and think. While most people look at graffiti artists as vandals, there are others that see many as talented minds and "urban prophets". For those that question, just look at how different graffiti styles have become more and more mainstream. The Obey campaign, started by Shepard Fairey has become one of the most popular (and commercially successful) urban art "exhibits" while the works of Bansky have sold for tens of thousands of dollars all over the world.

Whether commercially successful or not, all of these taggers started with one common goal - to make people think....to make people question....to make people wake up. These artisits, and others like them, continue to inspire us and thousands of others. So, while communities continue to "battle graffiti" there will always be an underground movement that believe "Art is Not a Crime".

Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com   

Graffiti Art Fine on Personal Property...?

Barbara Black, a resident of North Hollywood, decided to give some local graffiti artists a free wall on her personal property. She found 10 artists with the help of her local High School Principal. They soon got to work painting a graffiti mural on the outside of her 90 foot fence. But after a month of hard work, and nearing completion, Barbara received a fine for $336 from the City of Los Angeles for violating Building & Safety's "advertising signage" codes. What's more is that she must have this artwork REMOVED by March 24th, without protest, or face more penalties up to almost $2,000.00.

Barbara is an artist herself, and living on a fixed income. She cannot afford to pay the original fine for the mural, let alone try to fight to keep this original artwork on her own property. Which leads us to the "real" issue here: What is art? Who at City Hall in LA has the right to decide that graffiti isn't an art-form? This is the United States of America, for those who may have forgotten! Property owners should have the right to paint their personal space in any way that they wish. If you agree, please stand with Barbara and help her fight to keep her space her own.

Let's not let Big Brother take over. Take a stand with Bad Monkey Designs!! You can send the original article, and tell North Hollywood Councilman Paul Krekorian:


SAVE Barbara Black’s North Hollywood Graffiti Art Mural

Tweet: @paulkrekorian
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PaulKrekorian
Email: councilmember.krekorian@lacity.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Call: (818) 755-7676     


Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com  

Limited Edition St. Patrick's Graffiti/Stencil T!!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Bad Monkey Designs is offering this limited edition Boondock Saints graffiti/stencil T for the month of March! Featuring our two favorite Irish brothers, with their signature tag line - Veritas Aequitas - meaning Truth and Justice. This awesome design can be yours for a special price of $10.00 (plus S&H).

Since this is a limited edition run, be sure to get yours before the end of the month when these bad boys will disappear from the Bad Monkey Designs store forever!

Shop now! www.bmdez.com

Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com 

Bad Monkey Designs in Utah

Bad Monkey Designs would like to give a BIG shout out to our friend, Robbie M.!! As you can see here, he was spotted in our gear, vacationing on a mountain top in Utah, snow board in tow, over looking the gorgeous view! Thank you, thank you, Robbie for representing! It's fans like you that keep us keeping on!!

And for anyone else that would like to show the love, send us your pics in a Bad Monkey Designs T, and you'll get 25% off your next order, PLUS - a free sticker pack when we get your picture!! 

Shop today at: www.bmdez.com

Stay tuned for our St. Patrick's Day limited limited edition design!

Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com 

Welcome, or not?

Teenagers from Barley Mow Youth and Community Center created a mural to brighten up their club, in Birtley, Gateshead (UK), after they were awarded a grant as part of the Urban Alchemy project, organized by the Sage, in Gateshead.

Unfortunately, they have been asked to REMOVE this piece, because local authorities think it's more of an advertisement, rather than artwork. An advertisement would require a special zoning permit - which they did not apply for. What a beautiful way for this town to ruin any creative inspiration these kids found. The artwork - featured below - is clearly a "Welcome" sign. There's not a hint of any advertising in this.


Even so - the tone of politics hasn't changed. These teenagers are scrambling to get enough signatures on their petition to keep this welcome sign on their wall. At least the members of this youth center are learning a lesson on how to fight "the man". Seems as though they're going to need to know how, living in a community that can't even appreciate a children's mural.

Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
www.bmdez.com

West Coast Banksy for my East Coast playa's!

When British artist Banksy showed up in LA this past week, we weren't expecting him to make such a splash! Thankfully some people were smart enough to capture his work before unknowing business owners washed away the message. What was stopping them from getting a Plexiglas covering to preserve these beauties, like they do in the UK? They obviously have NO CLUE what these pieces are worth. That's why we're here....to spread the word!

Keep those great images coming, Banksy. You're keeping us all on our toes, and thinking! 

 

For the full article, click here: Banksy Paints The Town!

Bad Monkey Designs
Graffiti Inspired Urban Wear and More
http://bmdez.com