10 Questions for a real UK stylemaster (Even though he’d deny it). Mental fills, baaad letters and a ridiculous use of color! It’s about time we did something on Qryps.

1.Where are you from?

Originally Birmingham, West Midlands. I now reside in Tropical Essex.

2.What/who are your influences?

I am influenced and inspired by a broad range of people, things, places, experiences etc. There are far too many writers to start mentioning names, but I find inspiration in many different styles and approaches. I find that non-graffiti related things often have a greater impact on my own stuff; digging through the rails in a clothes store can generate a thousand ideas for fills, colour combinations etc. I also like to develop letter styles out of things that occur outside of my control; condensation patterns on the window, natural form structures etc.

3. What crews are you in?

TBK. It officially stands for Toy Better Know but there are a thousand different variants floating around.

4. When did you start?

I first experimented with spray paint in 1987. There were no age restrictions on the purchase of spray paint back then, I remember the bargain bin in my local petrol station full of cans for 25p, I used to buy a few with my pocket money and practice handstyles on bits of wood in my Parent’s garage. I spent most of my childhood doing outlines, taking photos of graff that appeared in my local area, but I didn’t start painting seriously or regularly until the late 90s. Even then I wasn’t really consistent, I spent a lot of time on other things including BMX, skateboarding, and modified cars. It wasn’t until I picked up the first thick issue of Graphotism and saw stuff from NT, DPM etc that graff became top priority, those guys blew my mind and it was no turning back from that point on.

5. Have you painted in different countries, if so where?

I have been fortunate enough to paint all over England, Dublin, France, Spain, Czech Republic, Holland, Germany, NY, maybe more that slip my mind currently. There are loads of places that I would love to visit for painting purposes but it’s hard finding the time these days. I basically paint the same spot every weekend, not very exciting or inspiring.

6. Can you link us to a website/Flickr or Youtube video of yours? http://www.flickr.com/photos/12261270@N04/ not just graff, everything goes on there including car stuff, tattoos etc.

7. What other UK writers should we look out for?

I am literally the last person you should ask about this, I know nothing when it comes to graff. Some people are like encyclopedias and seem to know everything that is going on with every writer in every crew in every city. Actually, you need to keep an eye on HYFNS, that guy has got some serious style going on.

8. With so many new spray paint products, have you stuck to what you know or switched to something new?

I started off using German Montana for a couple of years, crazy colours but it was thicker than Blu-Tac and blocked caps constantly. I experimented with Clash, Sabotaz, Montana Hardcore, Montana Black/Gold etc but I have used Belton consistently for about ten years now. My friends think I am crazy for still using it instead of switching to 94, but I like the way it performs. I’ll admit that I still moan about it occasionally but on the whole, it does the job. I’m tempted to go back to Montana Hardcore for my next batch, just to try something else.

9. Whats your favorite thing about graffiti and what do you hate?

My favourite thing about graffiti is the creative process. I love freestyling something on the wall at an interesting spot, watching it developing, knowing within the first few minutes whether it’s going to be good or not, tweaking it, mixing tight and sloppy elements together in the same piece, being experimental, bringing it altogether with an outline and finishing touches, standing back and documenting it, then waving goodbye to it. I should probably say something about the social aspect of graffiti as I have made some great friends through it, but I generally paint alone and I enjoy the isolation of it all. As for hate, nothing really. There are things about graffiti that make my toes curl or just spin me out, but I try not to take anything about it too seriously.

10. It’s nasty not catching a flick, whats the worst one that got away?

No major losses, I’ve forgotten my camera on plenty of occasions but thanks to the wonder of digital technology, there is usually someone on hand to get photos and place them in your inbox before you even get home from the spot.

Any shouts: Everyone I paint with up and down the country.