ATL StyleWriters Jam takes over Atlanta Beltline with new art

Alright, we want to continue to go outside and Maria Guzman is on the beltline as there's some artwork that's coming. You know, Maria, anytime that I take a walk on the beltline, I'm always interested to see the artwork. I mean, they're so talented and it takes a lot of time. Walk us through some of the artists and some of the things we can expect to come. Yeah, so this is the perfect weekend to come over to the Beltline Walk and do and see some great art because this weekend is the Style Riders Jam. So basically there's four sites across the Beltline where you can watch artists do live sketching and painting. It kicks off today. And you're able to see them all the way through Sunday. So today it's all about sketching. But I'm in one of those sites with Dr. Dax, who is one of the artists. I'm going to go ahead and put my camera to introduce you guys to him. And we are right here in this. Underpass where he has been doing a lot of art for years. Dr. Dax you used to come here back when you were 17 doing art. Talk to me about that full that full circle moment now. I started loitering and hanging out here probably when I was 11 but I started painting the freight trains that were here at the factories and under these bridges all along this as far as you can go on the Beltline. This was our playground. Talk to me about your art because you have a certain signature or style that we're able to see right now. Yeah this style is all done with roll paint. This is no aerosol spray paint. I'm doing this in conjunction with Vane in collaboration with him and we both have signature trademark styles. His is much more straightforward and block letter and mine is more digital like something you might see the numbers on your credit card or something. It gets inspired by that. It's designed to use roll paint. We're doing all of this with no lifts or ladders. It's all extended roller poles. So This was the challenge, the challenge of... I'm playing and experimenting with typography at the same time as color theory, and as I said earlier, I'm not colorblind, and Vane is, so trying to make something that we both see differently, but we both think is beautiful and works, because we see colors differently. And we're also adding messages along this side. It will end up saying, everybody love everybody. We got rained out and washed out, as you can see here. This place has presented many challenges but we're overcoming them all. How many hours so far? I know you guys started about two weeks ago. How many hours a day, a week to get this underpass done? We were working on this about eight hours a day, probably six days straight and then other days when it's very busy here we probably put about four to six hours in and then on the rain day we got about an hour which was worth nothing. And I know you have a picture that I really want to go ahead and show because it shows you in the same spot 17. Yeah this is now. That's now. And that's before and you can see that's me. There's freight trains over there that I painted on that thing. This is the train tracks and now it's the And it's the same underpass on where we are, Eastside Trail. Yes. As you see your art now here, in conjunction, in partnership with the Atlanta Beltline, just what goes through your mind as an artist? It's kind of ironic in some ways, because we were doing all this without permission. We were getting chased for it. It was widely frowned upon, you know, back in the early 90s and late 80s. And for it to come full circle and be celebrated, and even with permission and funding, It's very full circle. I felt like we paved some roads literally not just the belt line but in the city and in the world of graffiti. This is an art form and it shouldn't be you know frowned upon. It's a legit art form. Awesome, well thank you so much. So again guys there are four sites. I'm going to go ahead and put my camera so you can see this map. If you want to see his art we are in the East Side Trail on the underpass under Highland Avenue. right here is some map to help you if you are going to stop by this weekend. All right, Maria Guzman, it is a beautiful weekend to get out and explore. It's a beautiful weekend to take in the artwork and just so much talent that goes into it. it just adds something to that walk along the Beltline. We appreciate you so much.