I've never been arrested for graffiti and don't paint much...but I am quite the tag along with my buddies that do write quite often. Most cops arrest first and ask questions later...its a possibility if they suspect you are writing they'll pick ya up and you might have a court date on your hands...one you will most likely beat, but it sounds like a lot of folks here still live with their parents and I doubt you want to deal with that shit...

As far as going out bombing...I love paint...but there are a lot of really shitty bombs out there. In my opinion you should find a nice overpass with few or hopefully no cars around and try to do something nice. I'd advise against throwing yourself at the city with bombs all over the place, which take balls, but not a whole lot of talent. The best writers are the ones that can make a name for themselves doing something good, they have amazing original talent and balls, so go some place where you can be at least almost comfortable and work on your skills, not your guts. The bravery will develop with your talent.

Weariness is vital with graffiti, paranoia will screw you over. The other night I was in the yard when a writer leaned under a train to see who we were, I heard his cans rattling, but I wasn't going to risk a run in with a worker so I bolted out of there, making a lot of noise and ended up getting spotted by a passenger train. I could have easily and smoothly ducked in between the lines, checked out who it was, and if it was a bad situation quietly crept out of the yard, but paranoia got the best of me and I could have gotten myself in a shit tone more trouble. Just be smooth, only run when you really have to, because it only makes you look more suspicious Try your best to be smooth and calm wherever you are and hopefully it is a nice chill spot where you can relax.

The risk of getting caught is half the fun...there is nothing more exciting then a clean escape from a bad situation. Graffiti is a crime and that's what makes it worth while...be excited about going out, yeah, its scary, but you only live once, you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders and I'm sure you'll make it out alright. Stick with the tags for awhile if that's what makes you feel comfortable, like what others have said most cops can't afford to waste time with it, especially if you live around Baltimore.

It really is important to go out with experienced writers. Like I said, I mostly stick around the train yard which in itself is a mini city, I never go to a new yard when I don't know it, I follow those who know it around numerous times before I attempt going in myself, and when I do go by myself for the first time I'm paranoid as shit, the next time, paranoid as shit, the third time I think, hell, I can do this...but still a little paranoid. So get someone to show you around, hopefully you will absorb some of their confidence.

You say you live in Baltimore? Hit me up with a pm, I can't teach you a whole lot about writing, but I know some people that can. You can be like me for awhile and follow people around. Like I said, you sound like you're going in the right direction...

Sorry bout typing so much, I'm a wee bit drunk and theres nobody to talk to around herrre.

 

talking about being paranoid... i regularly visit an abandoned factory and practise and stuff and some guy i use to hang out with came there for the first time it was lamee man he like totally freaked out with every sound and he was like : yeah, blabla, i have a very good intuiion and i think someone's coming... just ridiculous haha

 

it just takes time. i started tagging with my friend in an abandoned old school. after about 2-3 weeks of going there regularly i wasnt paranoid at all.

 

i used to get paranoid a bit back wen i first started taggin, juss keep doing it and ull start getting used to it

 

another things thats kinda helpful is to get "geared up." A bandana over your face, a hood on your head and a backpack that fits tightly...I dunno that sort of appearal "body hug" always makes me feel a lil stronger h34r:

 

Yeah, I feel you about the whole body gear thing. I got this dope mask that I'm going to start wearing when I go paint.

But I mostly tag than bomb, and I'm quite comfortable with that at the moment. Everytime I go out an skate, I always bring a marker with me to hit something up to let people know that I was there too. I only paint when I feel as if it's a good, chill day at a spot, or if my homie calls me up to bomb around his way (He lives in Park Heights and I know not too many people give a fuck over there).

 

get drunk it takes the edge of

 

the bag idea isnt the best thing if ur on the street cuz lets say u cum out of an alley or wutevs and a cop rolls by he might b like wtf and check ur shit i say just ware gloves and a dark colored hoodie and try and fit as many cans in ur pocket

 

if your over 18 you shouldnt have a problem
just say ur on ur way home from ur mates or something. or get a bit drunk n say ur coming over from the pub lol

 

do yall think its stupid ta git a ride if u hittin up like 4 places?

 

the bag idea isnt the best thing if ur on the street cuz lets say u cum out of an alley or wutevs and a cop rolls by he might b like wtf and check ur shit i say just ware gloves and a dark colored hoodie and try and fit as many cans in ur pocket [/b][/quote]
yeah 'spose not if yer hittin streets

 

yah i definatley feel alot safer if im wearing a tight fitting pack as apposed to a loose one just in case you need to book it its a little easier and i feel kinda light on my feet an i always remember to tye up real tight so i dont loose my kicks

 

To say the least, Im glad someone made this thread and not me. I think a paranoia thread is a great idea.

I just really started to use paint in public and everytime I go out in usually wearing a hoodie and only carrying what I need. A few cans.

And before I even touch my cap to spray I get the same overwelming anxiety. Not that I think the cops are comming but I always think someone is gonna hear me spraying.

And I got canscilencers, which to me help. But its just a saftey net.

Someone said it earlier, I think that pedestians are MORE afraid of us than we are to them. Chances are they dont care as long as it aint on thier crib or thier BMW.

The beer idea is not really a great one. Dont get sloshed before you go but knockin back one or two cant hurt all that much.

As for smokin weed. This makes things so much worse. I just got sober and its actually easier for me, and I have less anxiety.

Hope this helps.

 

i'd have to dis-agree with gesus on the first page.


I'd have to say being a sketch ass writer is the best way to get up. It teaches you to have patience if you want a spot badly. Say if there's a rooftop you wanna drop a burner on, on a freeway or something. Maybe droping something downtown.

If you can find a way to look inconspicuous, and be patient waiting in the shadows. keeping six for yourself... Then you can drop something on a spot when no one's burning a hole on you.

Anyways, Being a paranoid writer for most of my writing life has been a benefit for me. I get up enough. But I'm cautious about what/where/when I hit things. This helps keep vandalsquad off your ass, and gives you more of a percentage to walk away from what you're 'tagging' without having a cop ask you to wipe it off...

 

i got paranoid the first time i went writing, so i worked in chill spots and my paranoi slowly faded every time i did graffiti only thing that makes me paranoid now are litl sounds that i mistake for footsteps and freak out

 

thats one of the good things about tagging along with other writers for awhile, as far as noise goes. I would walk away from whoever was painting to see how far the noise carried, obviously its different depending on where you are, but its helpful to know it really isnt that loud. Your senses are just on fire because of the adrenalin (sorry for the horrible spelling) so everything is heightened.

 

SHIT THA MOST PARANOIA COMES FROM RITE B4 UR ABOUT 2 TAG. WEN UR WALKIN UP 2 THA SPOT UR JUS LYK "FUCK HERE I GO"

 

O nd i go 4 tha hoddy nd tight fitting backpack so u kan book it if needed. but lyk if a cop sees u just b lyk ur going 2 ur frenz house or sum shit nd ur clothes r in ur bag. nd instead of tying ur shoes i prefer an old pair of "AIR FORCE 1'S" with tha straps so u just strap up nd dont wry bout tha laces

 

Do your best to control
i try to use some anti-stress techniques
and build confidence by hitting chill spots