Growing up in Brooklyn New York, where “Graffiti” thrived during the late seventies, I found myself surrounded by Graffiti artists. I immediately became involved in the art form. Although I had been painting for some time using an airbrush my father had given me at the age of nine, Graffiti offered an opportunity to express myself without any constraints.
I was given the name RINE by a leading talent from the movement who went by the name NAS (2NASTY). After NAS armed me with an outline, I headed to the streets to make a name for myself. The outline provided a template of style, which evolved over the years due to collaborating with other Graffiti writers and artists throughout the borough of Brooklyn. Influences such as PASE CB5~NCB, had offered concepts of the use of color, blending and fading colors. SES ~ DOG~CB5, offered hand style, and vision to paint feverishly.
In the 80’s I attended the school of Art and Design, located in NYC, this changed everything; Graffiti artists from all five boroughs attended this prestigious school, the book Hip Hop Files by Martha Cooper documents through photographs the energy radiating from this hub of style.
I soon joined forces with talented artists such as PASE, SCORE, RAL, and REMO. The partnership of these five artists brought about the creation of CB5 (Creative By Five), where a mixture of styles became the catalyst for us to all be recognized for our ability to create amazing works, which incorporated fine art and Graffiti. Murals such as the one completed at John Jay High School, 1981.
Our first group Graffiti Art exhibition took place in Brooklyn NY on September 27th. 1982. Creative by Five (CB5) along with Seven Deadly Sins (7DS Crew), out of Park Slope Brooklyn, joined forces to showcase the unique graffiti lettering and piecing styles of that era. Thank you to Ann and Lorraine Volpe, who played a pivotal role in organizing and supporting us as young artist by connecting us with the right organization to exhibit our work. Pictured below is the original press release for the show, provided by SELO 456 (STEAM TGM CREW), who has kept this document archived and in mint condition for several decades.
I continue to paint and create works that express many of my experiences in life, occasionally returning to my roots for inspiration.