September 24, 2013.
Detail of GLOW’S piece in the late afternoon light, just off NW 3rd Avenue in Wynwood.
What do you write? Are you in a crew?
Gloria Muriel aka Glow. I am part of the Few and Far Crew, it's an all girls crew full of badass and wonderful women from around the globe. I am also part of Get Vicious Crew, New York based with a very creative cast of artists.
In what city did you start painting in the streets? Do you feel your work has influenced the community in return? If so, how? Is there a relationship between the artist and the community in which they work?
I started painting walls not too long ago, before walls I was (and still am) painting on canvas at my studio. My first wall was in downtown San Diego with PERSUE and MONSTRINHO. I do think my work influences the community, for example; sometimes I get pretty cool e-mails from people I have never met that have seen my work on the streets saying they were having a shitty day and somehow the image from my mural put a smile on their faces and suddenly their mood changed.
Did you go to school or are you self taught?
I'm a graphic designer/illustrator by trade.
How did you get started in the arts and why?
I started painting walls because of my friend MONSTRINHO who is also a very talented artist, he was the one who saw my art and pushed me to paint in bigger platforms. To tell you the truth, painting walls for me is very intimidating, you're completely exposed to so many eyes out there while in the process and that makes me feel kinda weird.... It still does actually, but I also fell in love with the big wall format and the reaction it causes to the viewer.
How long have you been working in the streets?
since 2011 I think?....
Who or What inspires you the most?
It varies all the time, but mainly music, nature, emotions, books I read and the facts of life.
What should the general public know about street art? What stereotype about street art/graffiti do you hate the most?
I would suggest the viewer to look beyond the first layer, there's always more, with a deeper meaning.... I think there are no bad or good walls, it’s whatever art makes you feel. Graffiti and other types of urban art is about identification, it's about putting yourself out there and saying: "here I am" this is what I do and how I feel...
Are you a full time artist? Do you have a day job? Is it best to be full time artist or not worry about it and make your $$$ elsewhere, that way you can paint what and how you want, which one offers a more creative outlook?
Yeah, part of my full time job is being an urban artist, a fine artist, illustrator, graphic designer, art teacher and mom of two awesome girls :)yeah. That’s how I earn my living, it’s very challenging but makes me happy.
What are you working on now?
I have so many projects big and small. I will be painting with PERSUE in Guadalajara, Mexico next week. I am putting a fine art collection together for next year(when I have the time), working on logos for clients, getting ready for a big wall in my hometown Mexicali, Mexico). There is also a wall in Washington. All of that just in September. October has it’s own projects coming.
What do you hope to achieve or accomplish by putting your work in the street?
A connection with the viewer, an emotion. This doesn't mean it has to be a happy or blissful emotion, it's like a reflection, I like being a mirror, if you are feeling scared or angry I want my art to make you aware of it. Then you decide if you want to keep feeling that way or if you want to change it. It's all up to you actually. That makes me very content.
Thank you!
Check out GLOW's work and her crews...