Stick Figure Guy | Graffiti Artist
04.01.25
Dawn Cochran: All right, we are live. Hi so, my name is Dawn. I am going to have full disclosure, I really don't know anything about you or whoever is behind the art. So. Let's get started. Who are you?
Stick Figure Guy: Yes, they will call my friend Stick. Called [him] stick once they got Instagram. And then I guess like, he is stick figure worldwide on Facebook, I guess [he is] guy figure stick.
DC: OK. And do you run those accounts or does somebody else run those accounts?
SFG: It's just like representatives like, you know, it's just like the representatives of the artist for legal purposes because allegedly there's like, supposedly like, thousands of dollars in property damage. On state property. Because the bridges or whatever they say. There's like thousands of dollars worth of damage, so it's just like. Representative of the artists, stuff like that.
DC: OK, so I'm speaking to a representative of the artist right now, correct?
SFG: Correct.
DC: OK, So what can you tell me about the artist? Do you know his background? Do you know long he has been doing this? Has he been into art his entire life?
SFG: No, honestly, what I have known from the artist is that it's a moniker, right? It's like a hobo symbol. So when you like travel around like the whole US, like, you jump on trains and like you hitchhike or whatever. It's kind of like you're considered like a tramp or like a dirty kid. Or a train hopper. Yeah. Or something like that. So it was kind of like going from place to place, you plant your flag somewhere, so like it was just kind of like a moniker. You know what I mean? Like a hobo moniker.
DC: And when did this start?
SFG: So the first like documented one, I think like other people have, was from Azrael. I don't wanna get anyone mad if I said her name wrong. But like it's a Azrael think. But she's like the owner. Her and her husband owned DA Taste. And she has, like pictures from like 10 years ago of like when she was like, riding her bike around and stuff and taking pictures of them and then her husband, like hit up, I don't know, like one of the homies or whatever, and he was the first person to buy, like, a commission piece like 8 years ago or something like that. Maybe like nine years ago. And he was like the first person who bought a piece for like 150 bucks and like, tracked it down all the way to like... who the person was, and it was just like "oh shoot" and then he like explained like the whole like, background story of like what his wife thought of it like, you know, like they're going through, like, tough times. And then like at the right time, whenever they look down or whatever it was right there. And it kind of was just like something that like.... Kind of just like kept happening since then, like a bunch of people tell me like they have anxiety, or they haven't talked to their parents, and they just... something that they bond over or it's like something that. You know... helps them like, like, I had I don't know. I don't wanna put people's business out there, but it was something that like... You know, I've had some crazy stories. Like I said, just that like, you know, like what a lot of like... Some lady who told me, like, something pretty gnarly was like. You know, I don't understand the impact of one small stick figure could do, you know. And I could never done enough purpose. But like just hearing what people like had to say about it. And like their experience with it was kind of crazy.
DC: So the stick figure is always with a heart, correct?
SFG: Sometimes, I mean, there's been times where like, like, I think like two years ago?... I think we basically were like in the playoffs or something like that. And then there was a a stick figure Josh Allen drawing with the Bills symbol. So that was put in a bubble once like a stick figure. Josh Allen piece. And it was like on an auction and it was like, at the end of the game. Whoever has the highest bid in the comments section gets the piece and then I won't ever make another piece like this unless you know. Like the the Bills go to the playoffs or the Bills go to the to the Super Bowl again. So then like, if we ever go to the Super Bowl and I'll make another piece like that. But like I made two pieces that were similar, one was like a smudgy Buffalo symbol. And then one was like the Buffalo Bills uh... those logo drawn by like Josh Allen or whatever. So I did those two pieces. And then like auction them off and then they both sold for like 150 bucks? So then, like, I'll do those again if we go to the Super Bowl... that I've done collaboration piece with like family trappers (FT) and he put it out with the heart before so like that was a collaboration piece. Which was kind of cool because we made it.
DC: Yeah.
SFG: I think we made 33 hoodies the first time, and we sold out during a snowstorm. And then we made 33 hoodies, 33 shorts and 33 shirts the second time. And then we sold out of those like 99 units too. So that was kind of a cool collaboration.
DC: Wow, that that's pretty impressive.
SFG: Ohh yeah it was. It was not something that like, you know, because now it kind of like branched me into a brand thing... not just like art, but like branding into merchandise and coming up with like weird ideas like pens and charms and lawn signs and taking it to like a situation where now it's not just like, OK. A kid was like spraying for like 10 years. You know, I mean, like, even longer than that. Yeah, I mean like, like it was probably like 15 years now. But like it goes from that person, like even to like, like the T-shirts that used to drop like 10 years ago. You know, compared to like the stuff that we dropped now. We would never, you know, we would never even allow the drop that stuff before, cause like the quality and the way we do things now is wayyyy different. So just watching like the art and like, just like the way we do stuff... like progress and like, I don't know how to explain it. It's just like it's weird because like the whole lawn sign thing is wild... Like people's grandma's want it on Grand Island and in Jamestown and Springville and shit. And there's like one in Kenya, Africa, like it's just like getting everywhere. I mean that's more than what a red spray paint can and a black spray paint can can get.
DC: Oh yeah.
SFG: You know what I mean? Just like the way like the coverage is happening now. We're from just going from, like, OK was like a canned thing. Now how I paint and now it's just like oh you know, Robbie Takac has it on his guitar and he's going all over the world with it. And now there's pictures of it in like India and like New Zealand. And you know what I mean. Like I don't know. It's like it's just like, well, actually grow and progresses.
DC: Do you think that because of the vandalism elements that there's a lot of criticism in in the stick figure art? And if so, how do you or how does the artist approach it?
SFG: I mean like. There's a bunch of stuff going on and I feel like these small... there's a lot of documentaries where I try to see how people feel about it. And I do try to be like mindful, right? And there's like a bunch of approaches, right? Like Shepard Fairey, when he was asked about, he was like well, you know, like theoretically this is like taxpayers property. Like you know, the bridges and stuff. And they were like, if they were like to say hey. You know, I mean, this bridge is like damage to this property. You know what I mean? Honestly, you know, I'm like. Theoretically, one taxpayers who I support my, you know, like that's like a weak stance too. I'm using rusto, or you know, the is artist is using rusto like. If you were to put a car outside and you sprayed half the car with rusto and then the other half was like you know, didn't leave it with rusto... You left it outside for 10 years, right? What side would like have more damage? The side that had rusto or the side that didn't have rusto??? They literally make rusto to prolong the life of metal things. You know, so like, you know, at the end of the day. Maybe they charge like that. Property damage might be like wrong. Just because there's no damage like the bridges that get hit like they. I drive over them every day. They're perfectly operable, you know.
DC: Yeah, yeah.
SFG: I mean, I don't know why. Like how it would bother anybody in any way whatsoever. And at the end of the day kind of makes you question whose in charge of that. Because then, if you think about how much it really costs, right? Because there was a DFA, the Center for Arts was really cool, right? Like the did like this thing for like street artists and stuff like that and right? The guy was like they didn't know he was talking to the artist, right? It was just like they're hanging up this stuff and the guys like you want something crazy about this. He was like what I was like what? And the guy was like. He's like, I drive to work, right? He worked at University of Buffalo... UB yeah, right. It was a it was a CFA, so he's like. I drive to work. He was on the bridge, and he said "I've seen like 4 workers construction workers. Right. Paint painting over this guy. I left to work and 8 hours later, these guys are union workers. How much do you think the state paid them?" He's like "I left. Went to work, came back 8 hours later. They were still trying to wash out what this guy did with two cans of paint." You know what I mean? So he's like "The state paid this diesel truck to drive over there. Fill up the tank Have four guys to watch one guy stand up there and try to cover it for 8 hours." You know, I mean like, what is the, how much does that cost? And then like I know it sounds weird, but like the forces for you are stronger than the forces are against you. So, like the stuff that gets hit at first, right? Like there is like the Adam's Mark Hotel people are all butt hurt. But it was just like, OK, once again, the piece that was like a big deal, compared to like the guy who has like $6 million worth of fraud, you know? I mean, and people are like, not even trying to like, you know, bring light to it that there's a whole 5 star hotel downtown and the dude really tried burning it down like 5-6 times and blaming it on like the Mexican workers!!! You know what I mean??? And instead they're gonna be upset with the one stick figure on the outside of the building.
DC: Right.
SFG: It's like a municipal violation code or something like that? But it was just like like where is it? Putting thousands of dollars into that. But it's like, there's... I don't know. I don't really have a good stance on it. Like I know that my day will come right or I mean, the artist's day will come. That will happen, right? And like no one will be able to, like, do anything. But at the end of the day, it's like, OK. The artists can get like five years, right? Three years. Two years. Right? Kids? Family? Jobs? All that's gonna be ruined because of the bridges that are like state property. But like once again like you know, like how is that affecting the bridge, right? Is it??? The bridge is operable... rusto literally prolongs the life of the bridge? You know, I mean like now look like the bridge. If you spray anything on like if you sprayed a car with rusto. The life is expanded. You know what I mean? I don't know. It sounds dumb like I know it's like property, but it's maybe it would be something else. But not like it's not damaging the property, it's actually prolonging the life of it.
DC: Right. And I think there's probably a difference between private property and public property. I mean, I don't see you going—Oh sorry, I don't see the artist going to somebody's house and spraying on the side of their house so.
SFG: Oh dude, there's so many artists trying to be artists now and it's like the old ones don't really give people game no more. You know what I mean? I literally just told some kid that looks up to one of the other kids and it's just like "Yo, man! Don't be hitting houses!!!" You know, you don't houses, or churches... you know what I mean? You know, there's like a lot of things that you have to abide by and do things like. There's a code of ethics. Basically I understand that so like....
DC: Yeah. What do you think your biggest achievement this far is?
SFG: Uh. Yeah, just bringing my homies together and showing everybody that there's other ways to make money and then we can make money off our merchandise, hustling and events. And you know, I mean coming together. And I don't know. It's just a cool it's... Just like a cool experience.
DC: What do you see in your future? Do you want to be in like art galleries and shit?
SFG: I don't know yet. I don't know yet like. There's there's like, weird stuff that like, it would be cool to own a school. And get this... OK. It's like I have a homies that like edit and like do film. So it comes with like a computer lab, and then there's like my homies who do music and there's a Music Hall, and then there's like mad rooms that we could like, you know. Like give out to people and help them a building to start... I just want to go to school during the winter. It's like snows out here. You can get people together, like a small little community for artists and stuff. I don't know, maybe something like that. I don't know, man. Go into like areas that like, actually kill people for saying or being gay, or saying what they think or any type of way and just kind of putting it there. I feel like putting it in areas that are kind of more dangerous. Like, there needs to be a place in these areas where people can go.
DC: Like a safe space.
SFG: Like in places so people can like kind of just like think about it, cause it's like a universal symbol at this point. Like if you went to like the airport and you were coming from any country, doesn't matter what country you come from, OK? Like it could be from like any country, you see the bathroom symbol. You know what it means, right? Like you see, like the no smoking, right? You know what it means. Like it's just like like as Cavemen... Like people drew stick figures like they knew like, you know. I mean it's not hard to interpret what wherever you're from. I mean children draw stick figures. It's engraved in our mind like, you know, you ask a kid to draw a house. It's like 4 lines and a triangle on top of it. Like a square with a triangle on top. You know what I mean? Like it's like very simple universal language. So just to put it in places, not just here. You know, like when we went to Kenya. That was dope. You know what I mean? Like seeing it on the separation wall in Bethlehem? That's dope. Where it's not here. We have freedom of speech. So it's yeah, I mean it's where other people, they don't have freedom of speech and people get killed saying certain things. It's kind of like the ideal place where I wanna like put a hundred foot one, you know. I mean like make one as big as I can and like put it there.
DC: So it's like a symbol of, like safety and love and accept. Almost.
SFG: I believe so. I do take like a lot of styles from a lot of different artists that I look up to. My favorite things that artists do is like when the people ask. Like what does it mean??? And the artist asks "What does it mean to you?"
DC: What's your interpretation? Yeah.
SFG: It's a very simple thing. But it's left very different the impressions on people. And it has like cool meanings of different people. One of the dopest ones..s. thi little girl is like "Ohh it means it doesn't matter how much baggage you carry that you always lead with love. You always like, stay positive." And I was just like, "Whoa, dude, if I would have told you what I mean?" Also, there's a bunch of people who think they know what it means. But if I say "Well this is what it means." I feel like a lot of people will be like. Oh. And if I don't say what it means, it puts it in a box where it's like kind of just leaving it up for interpretation. Even though it's like very simple, just like hearing everyone else's thing, you know, I mean. But it's always like a lot of people do lead with love or speak, love, or stay positive or you. Know what I mean? And then yeah, I don't know. Like what it means to a lot of people. Like what it means to like other people, it doesn't make what it means. Like what it means to me, it's like completely different, you know? What it means to me is it's like my whole life. You know, I mean like it be like, it's like you're something completely different.
DC: Yeah, that's... Man, this is a really cool conversation. Do you want to talk about anything else? Is there anything you want to promote? Anything that's coming up.
SFG: We got like a bunch of events. We got a 420 event that's gonna be pretty cool. And that's gonna be at the West Seneca spinners.
DC: Oh, the roller skating rink, hell yeah.
SFG: Yeah, the roller rink. So like, that's going to be really cool at 4:20. That's gonna be from. 3pm to 10pm, we're gonna have a bunch of psychadelic art... black lights and stuff like that. We'll have a merchandise there for sale. Just like a bunch of different stuff going on, like just music. DJ's, different artists, different types of musicians coming together like. Just making a weird set coming together like. Different art like vendors, I don't know, just like a good time. It will be the pleasant will be the only time you'll be able to do this. Where? Like it will be like 420 on Easter Sunday.
DC: Yeah.
SFG: It's probably gonna be once in a lifetime experience, starting at 3:00. So people come check out the art cause we know people are gonna do family stuff from like 9:00 in the morning, 8:00 in the morning. Do the church stuff, do lunch, you know. But then like after that, when people are like, free and ready to like. You know, come smoke and hang out, check out some art. Talk to some weird people or whatever. You know, it's gonna be a pretty decent event, a bunch of people are already responded that they're going.
DC: I love that so much. That is, that's really cool. I might show up. Who knows? Yeah. Alright, so thank you so much for talking to me. I have a whole different view on the little stick figure man than I did before. Not that I had anything negative. I actually post the stick figure guy on my Instagram every time I see him. But I didn't know... well, I still don't know the person behind it because I don't. I don't know him. I don't know the representatives, but yeah, thank you so much.
SFG: Awesome. Thank you. This is awesome. Thank you for the opportunity.
DC: Yeah, absolutely. Have a great day.
SFG: You guys have a great one. Bye bye.
Stick Figure Guy: Yes, they will call my friend Stick. Called [him] stick once they got Instagram. And then I guess like, he is stick figure worldwide on Facebook, I guess [he is] guy figure stick.
DC: OK. And do you run those accounts or does somebody else run those accounts?
SFG: It's just like representatives like, you know, it's just like the representatives of the artist for legal purposes because allegedly there's like, supposedly like, thousands of dollars in property damage. On state property. Because the bridges or whatever they say. There's like thousands of dollars worth of damage, so it's just like. Representative of the artists, stuff like that.
DC: OK, so I'm speaking to a representative of the artist right now, correct?
SFG: Correct.
DC: OK, So what can you tell me about the artist? Do you know his background? Do you know long he has been doing this? Has he been into art his entire life?
SFG: No, honestly, what I have known from the artist is that it's a moniker, right? It's like a hobo symbol. So when you like travel around like the whole US, like, you jump on trains and like you hitchhike or whatever. It's kind of like you're considered like a tramp or like a dirty kid. Or a train hopper. Yeah. Or something like that. So it was kind of like going from place to place, you plant your flag somewhere, so like it was just kind of like a moniker. You know what I mean? Like a hobo moniker.
DC: And when did this start?
SFG: So the first like documented one, I think like other people have, was from Azrael. I don't wanna get anyone mad if I said her name wrong. But like it's a Azrael think. But she's like the owner. Her and her husband owned DA Taste. And she has, like pictures from like 10 years ago of like when she was like, riding her bike around and stuff and taking pictures of them and then her husband, like hit up, I don't know, like one of the homies or whatever, and he was the first person to buy, like, a commission piece like 8 years ago or something like that. Maybe like nine years ago. And he was like the first person who bought a piece for like 150 bucks and like, tracked it down all the way to like... who the person was, and it was just like "oh shoot" and then he like explained like the whole like, background story of like what his wife thought of it like, you know, like they're going through, like, tough times. And then like at the right time, whenever they look down or whatever it was right there. And it kind of was just like something that like.... Kind of just like kept happening since then, like a bunch of people tell me like they have anxiety, or they haven't talked to their parents, and they just... something that they bond over or it's like something that. You know... helps them like, like, I had I don't know. I don't wanna put people's business out there, but it was something that like... You know, I've had some crazy stories. Like I said, just that like, you know, like what a lot of like... Some lady who told me, like, something pretty gnarly was like. You know, I don't understand the impact of one small stick figure could do, you know. And I could never done enough purpose. But like just hearing what people like had to say about it. And like their experience with it was kind of crazy.
DC: So the stick figure is always with a heart, correct?
SFG: Sometimes, I mean, there's been times where like, like, I think like two years ago?... I think we basically were like in the playoffs or something like that. And then there was a a stick figure Josh Allen drawing with the Bills symbol. So that was put in a bubble once like a stick figure. Josh Allen piece. And it was like on an auction and it was like, at the end of the game. Whoever has the highest bid in the comments section gets the piece and then I won't ever make another piece like this unless you know. Like the the Bills go to the playoffs or the Bills go to the to the Super Bowl again. So then like, if we ever go to the Super Bowl and I'll make another piece like that. But like I made two pieces that were similar, one was like a smudgy Buffalo symbol. And then one was like the Buffalo Bills uh... those logo drawn by like Josh Allen or whatever. So I did those two pieces. And then like auction them off and then they both sold for like 150 bucks? So then, like, I'll do those again if we go to the Super Bowl... that I've done collaboration piece with like family trappers (FT) and he put it out with the heart before so like that was a collaboration piece. Which was kind of cool because we made it.
DC: Yeah.
SFG: I think we made 33 hoodies the first time, and we sold out during a snowstorm. And then we made 33 hoodies, 33 shorts and 33 shirts the second time. And then we sold out of those like 99 units too. So that was kind of a cool collaboration.
DC: Wow, that that's pretty impressive.
SFG: Ohh yeah it was. It was not something that like, you know, because now it kind of like branched me into a brand thing... not just like art, but like branding into merchandise and coming up with like weird ideas like pens and charms and lawn signs and taking it to like a situation where now it's not just like, OK. A kid was like spraying for like 10 years. You know, I mean, like, even longer than that. Yeah, I mean like, like it was probably like 15 years now. But like it goes from that person, like even to like, like the T-shirts that used to drop like 10 years ago. You know, compared to like the stuff that we dropped now. We would never, you know, we would never even allow the drop that stuff before, cause like the quality and the way we do things now is wayyyy different. So just watching like the art and like, just like the way we do stuff... like progress and like, I don't know how to explain it. It's just like it's weird because like the whole lawn sign thing is wild... Like people's grandma's want it on Grand Island and in Jamestown and Springville and shit. And there's like one in Kenya, Africa, like it's just like getting everywhere. I mean that's more than what a red spray paint can and a black spray paint can can get.
DC: Oh yeah.
SFG: You know what I mean? Just like the way like the coverage is happening now. We're from just going from, like, OK was like a canned thing. Now how I paint and now it's just like oh you know, Robbie Takac has it on his guitar and he's going all over the world with it. And now there's pictures of it in like India and like New Zealand. And you know what I mean. Like I don't know. It's like it's just like, well, actually grow and progresses.
DC: Do you think that because of the vandalism elements that there's a lot of criticism in in the stick figure art? And if so, how do you or how does the artist approach it?
SFG: I mean like. There's a bunch of stuff going on and I feel like these small... there's a lot of documentaries where I try to see how people feel about it. And I do try to be like mindful, right? And there's like a bunch of approaches, right? Like Shepard Fairey, when he was asked about, he was like well, you know, like theoretically this is like taxpayers property. Like you know, the bridges and stuff. And they were like, if they were like to say hey. You know, I mean, this bridge is like damage to this property. You know what I mean? Honestly, you know, I'm like. Theoretically, one taxpayers who I support my, you know, like that's like a weak stance too. I'm using rusto, or you know, the is artist is using rusto like. If you were to put a car outside and you sprayed half the car with rusto and then the other half was like you know, didn't leave it with rusto... You left it outside for 10 years, right? What side would like have more damage? The side that had rusto or the side that didn't have rusto??? They literally make rusto to prolong the life of metal things. You know, so like, you know, at the end of the day. Maybe they charge like that. Property damage might be like wrong. Just because there's no damage like the bridges that get hit like they. I drive over them every day. They're perfectly operable, you know.
DC: Yeah, yeah.
SFG: I mean, I don't know why. Like how it would bother anybody in any way whatsoever. And at the end of the day kind of makes you question whose in charge of that. Because then, if you think about how much it really costs, right? Because there was a DFA, the Center for Arts was really cool, right? Like the did like this thing for like street artists and stuff like that and right? The guy was like they didn't know he was talking to the artist, right? It was just like they're hanging up this stuff and the guys like you want something crazy about this. He was like what I was like what? And the guy was like. He's like, I drive to work, right? He worked at University of Buffalo... UB yeah, right. It was a it was a CFA, so he's like. I drive to work. He was on the bridge, and he said "I've seen like 4 workers construction workers. Right. Paint painting over this guy. I left to work and 8 hours later, these guys are union workers. How much do you think the state paid them?" He's like "I left. Went to work, came back 8 hours later. They were still trying to wash out what this guy did with two cans of paint." You know what I mean? So he's like "The state paid this diesel truck to drive over there. Fill up the tank Have four guys to watch one guy stand up there and try to cover it for 8 hours." You know, I mean like, what is the, how much does that cost? And then like I know it sounds weird, but like the forces for you are stronger than the forces are against you. So, like the stuff that gets hit at first, right? Like there is like the Adam's Mark Hotel people are all butt hurt. But it was just like, OK, once again, the piece that was like a big deal, compared to like the guy who has like $6 million worth of fraud, you know? I mean, and people are like, not even trying to like, you know, bring light to it that there's a whole 5 star hotel downtown and the dude really tried burning it down like 5-6 times and blaming it on like the Mexican workers!!! You know what I mean??? And instead they're gonna be upset with the one stick figure on the outside of the building.
DC: Right.
SFG: It's like a municipal violation code or something like that? But it was just like like where is it? Putting thousands of dollars into that. But it's like, there's... I don't know. I don't really have a good stance on it. Like I know that my day will come right or I mean, the artist's day will come. That will happen, right? And like no one will be able to, like, do anything. But at the end of the day, it's like, OK. The artists can get like five years, right? Three years. Two years. Right? Kids? Family? Jobs? All that's gonna be ruined because of the bridges that are like state property. But like once again like you know, like how is that affecting the bridge, right? Is it??? The bridge is operable... rusto literally prolongs the life of the bridge? You know, I mean like now look like the bridge. If you spray anything on like if you sprayed a car with rusto. The life is expanded. You know what I mean? I don't know. It sounds dumb like I know it's like property, but it's maybe it would be something else. But not like it's not damaging the property, it's actually prolonging the life of it.
DC: Right. And I think there's probably a difference between private property and public property. I mean, I don't see you going—Oh sorry, I don't see the artist going to somebody's house and spraying on the side of their house so.
SFG: Oh dude, there's so many artists trying to be artists now and it's like the old ones don't really give people game no more. You know what I mean? I literally just told some kid that looks up to one of the other kids and it's just like "Yo, man! Don't be hitting houses!!!" You know, you don't houses, or churches... you know what I mean? You know, there's like a lot of things that you have to abide by and do things like. There's a code of ethics. Basically I understand that so like....
DC: Yeah. What do you think your biggest achievement this far is?
SFG: Uh. Yeah, just bringing my homies together and showing everybody that there's other ways to make money and then we can make money off our merchandise, hustling and events. And you know, I mean coming together. And I don't know. It's just a cool it's... Just like a cool experience.
DC: What do you see in your future? Do you want to be in like art galleries and shit?
SFG: I don't know yet. I don't know yet like. There's there's like, weird stuff that like, it would be cool to own a school. And get this... OK. It's like I have a homies that like edit and like do film. So it comes with like a computer lab, and then there's like my homies who do music and there's a Music Hall, and then there's like mad rooms that we could like, you know. Like give out to people and help them a building to start... I just want to go to school during the winter. It's like snows out here. You can get people together, like a small little community for artists and stuff. I don't know, maybe something like that. I don't know, man. Go into like areas that like, actually kill people for saying or being gay, or saying what they think or any type of way and just kind of putting it there. I feel like putting it in areas that are kind of more dangerous. Like, there needs to be a place in these areas where people can go.
DC: Like a safe space.
SFG: Like in places so people can like kind of just like think about it, cause it's like a universal symbol at this point. Like if you went to like the airport and you were coming from any country, doesn't matter what country you come from, OK? Like it could be from like any country, you see the bathroom symbol. You know what it means, right? Like you see, like the no smoking, right? You know what it means. Like it's just like like as Cavemen... Like people drew stick figures like they knew like, you know. I mean it's not hard to interpret what wherever you're from. I mean children draw stick figures. It's engraved in our mind like, you know, you ask a kid to draw a house. It's like 4 lines and a triangle on top of it. Like a square with a triangle on top. You know what I mean? Like it's like very simple universal language. So just to put it in places, not just here. You know, like when we went to Kenya. That was dope. You know what I mean? Like seeing it on the separation wall in Bethlehem? That's dope. Where it's not here. We have freedom of speech. So it's yeah, I mean it's where other people, they don't have freedom of speech and people get killed saying certain things. It's kind of like the ideal place where I wanna like put a hundred foot one, you know. I mean like make one as big as I can and like put it there.
DC: So it's like a symbol of, like safety and love and accept. Almost.
SFG: I believe so. I do take like a lot of styles from a lot of different artists that I look up to. My favorite things that artists do is like when the people ask. Like what does it mean??? And the artist asks "What does it mean to you?"
DC: What's your interpretation? Yeah.
SFG: It's a very simple thing. But it's left very different the impressions on people. And it has like cool meanings of different people. One of the dopest ones..s. thi little girl is like "Ohh it means it doesn't matter how much baggage you carry that you always lead with love. You always like, stay positive." And I was just like, "Whoa, dude, if I would have told you what I mean?" Also, there's a bunch of people who think they know what it means. But if I say "Well this is what it means." I feel like a lot of people will be like. Oh. And if I don't say what it means, it puts it in a box where it's like kind of just leaving it up for interpretation. Even though it's like very simple, just like hearing everyone else's thing, you know, I mean. But it's always like a lot of people do lead with love or speak, love, or stay positive or you. Know what I mean? And then yeah, I don't know. Like what it means to a lot of people. Like what it means to like other people, it doesn't make what it means. Like what it means to me, it's like completely different, you know? What it means to me is it's like my whole life. You know, I mean like it be like, it's like you're something completely different.
DC: Yeah, that's... Man, this is a really cool conversation. Do you want to talk about anything else? Is there anything you want to promote? Anything that's coming up.
SFG: We got like a bunch of events. We got a 420 event that's gonna be pretty cool. And that's gonna be at the West Seneca spinners.
DC: Oh, the roller skating rink, hell yeah.
SFG: Yeah, the roller rink. So like, that's going to be really cool at 4:20. That's gonna be from. 3pm to 10pm, we're gonna have a bunch of psychadelic art... black lights and stuff like that. We'll have a merchandise there for sale. Just like a bunch of different stuff going on, like just music. DJ's, different artists, different types of musicians coming together like. Just making a weird set coming together like. Different art like vendors, I don't know, just like a good time. It will be the pleasant will be the only time you'll be able to do this. Where? Like it will be like 420 on Easter Sunday.
DC: Yeah.
SFG: It's probably gonna be once in a lifetime experience, starting at 3:00. So people come check out the art cause we know people are gonna do family stuff from like 9:00 in the morning, 8:00 in the morning. Do the church stuff, do lunch, you know. But then like after that, when people are like, free and ready to like. You know, come smoke and hang out, check out some art. Talk to some weird people or whatever. You know, it's gonna be a pretty decent event, a bunch of people are already responded that they're going.
DC: I love that so much. That is, that's really cool. I might show up. Who knows? Yeah. Alright, so thank you so much for talking to me. I have a whole different view on the little stick figure man than I did before. Not that I had anything negative. I actually post the stick figure guy on my Instagram every time I see him. But I didn't know... well, I still don't know the person behind it because I don't. I don't know him. I don't know the representatives, but yeah, thank you so much.
SFG: Awesome. Thank you. This is awesome. Thank you for the opportunity.
DC: Yeah, absolutely. Have a great day.
SFG: You guys have a great one. Bye bye.