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[quote user="Andrew Falconer"]This is an "art form" meant to irritate in the most part by being visually out of control. The people who paint these freight cars are doing because they think they are fighting back because the big business is taking control of their lives. Very little of the painting is done to create an image of beauty and grace. The grafitti painters seem to have the concept, "It is hard world, so I will be ever harder in return." Please, make the rusty old boxcars look better if you are planning to hang out by the tracks. Bring some cleaner and primer before painting that top coat. Andrew[/quote] Andrew,  a small majority of graf writers feel that way.  I can tell you, from growing up with many writers, that they are NOT trying to fight the system (even though to the Gen. public, it may seem that way).  The goal of the majority of writers is to get their name out there, as much as possible, as big or creative as possible for as many people to see. Also, it is a very egotistical lifestyle, many writers are VERY much so into themselves (this does not mean they are bad people).  There are some witers who believe in a lot of conspiracy theories, and the graffiti you see from those types is usually political, or carries a message.  However, a traditional graffiti writer wants nothing more than to put his / her name up while following a certain standard way while painting.  Many writers use certain elements in every piece they put up: bubbly clouds in the background, a forcefield thin line around all the letter (this helps make them "pop" off of the train car, using contrasting colors), stars, etc.  Also, there is a standard of how your letterforms should look if you want to be considered a "top notch writer".  As a writer who is starting out, you are recommended to do SIMPLE SIMPL SIMPLE letters first, instead of trying to pull off really wild styles.  You must learn letter form first, and learn the laws of typography before you can break those laws and doing really way out stuff.  there is a lot that goes into writing, and a lot of drawing constant drawing, and practicing your tag name over and over again.  did you know that graffiti is on of the only crafts left in art that utilizes apprentiships, where an older writer will take a younger writer under his / her wing, and teach and coach the on their style and letter forms.  Most of the time, the older more experienced writer will give the novice sketches, or outlines to get them started, and show them the "right" way to paint.  I dod not mean to offend anyone on this board, and I didn't want to turn this into a debate wether graffiti is legal or illegal.  I merely waned to help educate railfans about a side of train culture that is right there in your face, but is very secret.
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