Graffiti stencils are a good way to create street art.
The world of street art is made up of mysterious figures and varying opinions on the legality of expressing yourself with graffiti. One of the more common methods for getting work on display is to design and cut special-purpose stencils which then allow for quick application. Graffiti stencils are also useful for decorating the interior of a home or setting up an art gallery. Just be careful to stay within the bounds of the law.
Political Work
Famous graffiti-based street artists like Banksy have made their careers by creating work that has political and social resonance. Stencils that convey your opinion on a local or national hot-button topic are effective conversation starters and help solidify you as an artist with your own point of view. It is worth noting that your work has more impact if it is subversive rather than offensive.
Signature Pieces
Many street artists are known for using one signature piece in a variety of ways. For instance, Shepard Fairey, famous for creating the "Hope" image of Barack Obama, often puts up images based on Andre the giant. His enthusiasm for one specific image led others to begin putting up variations in places around the world, dramatically expanding his fan base. While Shepard Fairey works primarily with poster art, there is nothing to stop you from creating a signature image using only graffiti stencils. Finding a signature image takes time and consideration. Decide how you want the world to see you and what themes you would like associated with your work, then pick or design an image that puts those thoughts to brick.
Pop Culture
Another common theme in graffiti art is pop culture. Images of celebrities, movie quotes, video game characters, and quotes from songs all make interesting graffiti stencils. As a rule, most people have automatic emotional responses to certain images that they remember from a film or television show. For instance, when people see the visage of Darth Vader from the Star Wars trilogy, most immediately think of evil. Using these predetermined emotional reactions can help convey strong messages in your work. Stencils of this caliber can take hours of preparation but are worth the effort.
