The History of Airbrush

The Airbrush is not a modern invention. It is as far as we know almost as old as man himself. Experts are convinced that the ancient negative pictures of hands found in caves are products of a similar technique. The hand is put on the rock and some paint is sprayed over it using a hollow bone or just spitting the paint, leaving a mark of the hand. The first patent registered, for a device similar to the Airbrush we know today, is from 1893 by Charles Burdick. Up to the 1920's the Airbrush was mainly used for photographic retouching. (coloring and modifying)

 As new machines and technology was developed a new era in advertising was born, and the Airbrush was ideal for making great pictures of chrome-plated cars and similar machinery. Worth mentioning is the Walter Gropius Bauhaus group. This group formed in Germany in 1919 had an idea of uniting the fine-arts and design in visual communication. They welcomed the Airbrush with open arms. Other persons that used the Airbrush successful in advertisement posters are: the American E. McKnight Kauffer employed at London Undergrounds publicity department, the Frenchman A. M. Cassandre, the Russian Alexey Brodovich and Joseph Binder living in Vienna.

 Graffiti is often seen as having become intertwined with hip-hop culture as one of the four main elements of the culture (along with rapping, DJ-ing, and break dancing). However, there are many other instances of notable graffiti this century. Graffiti has long appeared on railroad boxcars. The one with the longest history, dating back to the 1920s and continuing into the present day, is Bozo Texino.

 During World War II and for decades after, the phrase "Kilroy was here" with accompanying illustration was widespread throughout the world, due to its use by American troops and it’s filtering into American popular culture. In the sixties, its popularity was eclipsed by American graffiti proclaiming that "Yossarian lives!", a reference to the protagonist of Joseph Heller's novel, Catch-22. The student protests and general strike of May 1968 saw Paris bedecked in revolutionary, anarchist, and situationist slogans such as L'ennui est contre-révolutionnaire ("Boredom is counterrevolutionary"). A famous graffito of the 20th century was the inscription in the London subway reading "Clapton is God". The phrase was spray-painted by an admirer on a wall in an Islington Underground station in the autumn of 1967. The graffiti was captured in a now-famous photograph, in which a dog is urinating on the wall.

A popular graffito of the 1970s was the legend "Dick Nixon Before He Dicks You," reflecting the hostility of the youth culture to that U.S. president. Graffiti also became associated with the anti-establishment punk rock movement beginning in the 1970s. Bands such as Black Flag and Crass (and their followers) widely stenciled their names and logos, while many punk night-clubs, squats and hangouts are famous for their graffiti.

The Artists:

HOUSTON ALEXANDER

GRAFFITI ARTIST & HIP-HOP AMBASSADOR

Houston Alexander, a.k.a. Scrib 1972 has acted as somewhat of an ambassador for Omaha hip-hop, seeking to project the positive nature and true essence of the culture. Alexander has been practicing art since the age of 13. He was first exposed to graffiti art in 1985 after watching the film “Beat Street.” He was immediately Interested in the graffiti he saw in the film. Alexander became one of the best graffiti artists in town, honing his skills on abandoned buildings and trains. Soon afterwards, he helped form the Scribble Cru with several classmates. The Scribble Cru was responsible for many of the most-recognized murals in North Omaha, including ones for Leola’s and Mad Dads.

During this time, he began working with youth for the first time, giving positive speeches about staying in school and away from drugs and gangs. This passion to work with kids continues today, as he teaches kids B-boying in a class called the “School of Moves” at Butler-Gast YMCA, and visits schools with the “Culture Shock School Tour,” which he developed, and teaches kids about the positive nature of hip-hop.

Alexander also made a name for himself with his dancing skills. He became hooked on B-boying after watching “Flashdance.” He then formed the Alliance All-Stars, a dance group that performed on street corners in the Old Market and around the city. The Alliance All-Stars also developed classes to teach the fundamentals of hip-hop dancing. The group opened for a number of acts on their stops in Omaha, including Salt-N-Pepa and Tone Loc. Throughout the years, Alexander has been involved in many aspects of the Omaha hip-hop scene. Alexander continues to contribute to the local hip-hop scene. He co-created “Fresh Fest,” in 2000, an annual hip-hop competition and showcase. These days on Sunday nights, listeners tuning into his show on Omaha’s Power 106.9 know him as Strong Arm.

For the past seven years he’s participated in mix martial arts having over 200 fights. Recently he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship which is the largest mix martial arts organization in the world. After winning his first fight with the UFC Houston is currently ranked one of the top fighters in his weight class in the world. As a headliner in the UFC he fights a few times a year in the Octagon as “The Assassin.” It’s a name he earned fighting his way through the bush leagues of mixed martial arts on his way to the big show.  Houston Alexander, a teacher, a artist, a fighter, and most importantly a proud single parent raising six children on his own.

BRUCE BRIGGS

AIRBRUST PORTRAIT ARTIST

      Born in Omaha, NE in 1982, and raised in Sacramento, CA, Bruce Briggs is best known for his original paintings of celebrities and icons, ranging from superstar musicians and athletes to Political and religious figures.   Bruce says, “I love to paint an individual of large influence that my audience can identify with.” 

Bruce, who was once convinced he would never paint, has mastered his self-taught acrylic techniques, and is currently expanding his creative reach into the realm of oil painting.  His attention to detail has grabbed the attention of clients of every background, creed and culture.  “For me, the most challenging and also most rewarding part of painting is capturing my subject’s emotions, and expression of soul and spirit,” says Bruce. He exhibits his works primarily in Atlanta, GA, through Clay's Gallery, and in Beverly Hills, CA, through Larry Smith Fine Art, and is expanding eastward.

www.brucebriggs.com

bruce@brucebriggs.com

JASON R. FISHER

GRAPHIC ARTIST/ DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Jason R. Fischer, a.k.a. Ginkz has been practicing the art of digital photography and multi-media graphic design for nearly 10 years. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Ginkz had always been a creative having found his early artistic voice in airbrush illustration and acrylic painting on canvas.  Later, he began to learn graphic art design and began to dabble in digital photography as part of his graphic artistry.

Over time, Ginkz taught himself many graphic arts software programs and learned web design.  He became the go-to guy for everything from model pictorials and portfolios to cd covers and fliers. In 2002, Surreal Media Labs, LLC was born.  He continued to hone his skills further and created graphic designs for local and national magazines, musical artists, websites, and more.

Marrying his love for artistic photography, textures and cityscapes, and, utilizing his creative eye, he became a featured artist in Love’s Jazz & Arts Center’s African American Arts Exhibit in 2007.  His digital depictions of Omaha’s past brilliant structures and brick streets coupled with his expert use of light, angles, and space provided LJAC with strong reviews for the exhibition itself.  

SPOT

GRAFFITI & AIRBRUSH ARTIST

Spot, a.k.a. Terrence Larkin, Jr., is one of Omaha’s premier airbrush artists and illustrators.  Born in the Philippines, Spot was transplanted to Omaha, Nebraska as an infant thanks to his military parents.  Having grown up in Omaha, Spot forged relationships that would help him develop his talent as an artist primarily in world of Graffiti Art.

Many of the commissioned works he was responsible for decorated the interior and exterior walls of local nightclubs.  Most have been renovated and the works of art no longer exist.  The temporary nature of Graffit Art along with his increasing interior commissioned jobs led his to find other mediums.  Jason Fischer, a.k.a. Ginkz introduced him to Airbrush Art in early 2002.