Street artist draws on skills to help students
A former builder turned street artist inspired by Banksy will be passing on his skills to youngsters in the West Midlands with urban art workshops this week.
Steve Edwards from Castlecroft gave up block paving two years ago to return to his first love of art.
He began by approaching Wolverhampton City Council to find derelict building to legally paint on.
And now he's passing on his skills to the next generation by going into schools and teaching youngsters.
Banksy is Mr Edwards' idol and urban art is very much up his street.
The 39-year-old said: "I will be showing the children – and their parents – the different techniques involved, but I won't be foisting my ideas on them. It's about bringing out what they want to do: everybody is different and can create different images.
"Plus I'll talking to them about the legal side, where they can paint, and raising the issue of vandalism – they don't have the right to paint what they want, anywhere."
Mr Edwards gained his art degree at Coventry School of Art but decided to make his living with his dad building block paving for homes and commercial properties.
But after 15 years he was inspired by the success of international artist Banksy to leave the building sites behind and return to art.
He added: "I carried on painting during the time I was doing brick paving and focused on patterns, but I realised that I still want to make it as an artist.
"My style is a mix of patterns with camouflage and graffiti.
"I love what Banksy has been doing and showing that street art is a serious form of art.
"I have been working with Wolverhampton Council, who have set aside a spot for me, plus with British Waterways, to dissuade people from vandalism alongside canals.
"I've recently painted a kingfisher and a robin at Fazeley, near Tamworth, plus I create wildlife artworks at country parks.
"I'm hoping to use this as a springboard."
Mr Edwards - who still does occasional building work - is hoping his new career as an artist will prove to be an exciting and lucrative venture.
He added: "Things are really taking off now.
"As a street artist you have to do things for nothing for a while to get your name out there.
"I'm looking to get a masters degree eventually but the main thing is I'm doing what I love."
Visit www.graffoflarge.com to see more of Mr Edwards' work, or call him on 07530 690113.
His workshops Tamworth's Ankerside Shopping Centre from this Friday.