Watch

Artist Brings Beauty to Skid Row

Creator:
Published:
March 6, 2024
May 27, 2018
This LA street artist uses spray paint to bring color to Skid Row Los Angeles.

Free Humanity was commissioned to bring beauty to Skid Row in Los Angeles. "My art is me — it's my heart and soul, really," explains the artist who chooses to keep his identity a secret. His art gives brightness and boldness to a world full of darkness — and doesn't expect anything in return.

Video Transcript

Narrator: You take some spray paint to a wall, and you're called a vandal. But what if that paint's got soul behind it? Ideas and hope to be shared with the world? And what if that paint adds up to a work of art for a neighborhood most would rather ignore? What happens when you give the world beauty?

Free Humanity: Looking at art, it's somebody's mind on that wall or on that canvas. My art is me. It's like my heart and soul, really. I don't even classify it as street, public, or whatever. I'm just making art, trying to express myself however possible.

Narrator: Free Humanity keeps his identity a secret. It's not about the glory. His work is bold, colorful, and offered up to a world that's got a lot of darkness. It's painting with a purpose: to give and not ask or expect reward.

Free Humanity: All I have to say to anybody is life is short. Live every single day and just try to be happy. Giving people love and doing loving things for a community or people in need are more upliftful than any kind of love you can receive. We get lost in needing so much it's hard to give. As soon as we start to give, it feels good, and it's uplifting to our soul.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
March 6, 2024
May 27, 2018
On a related note...
How to Build Social Connections Outside of Work

How to Build Social Connections Outside of Work

Emily Mae Mentock

Shelter For Pregnant Women Changes Perspective of Volunteer | Little Ways: Care

Shelter For Pregnant Women Changes Perspective of Volunteer | Little Ways: Care

Grotto

Why You Should Thank a Nurse Today

Why You Should Thank a Nurse Today

Rick Becker

The Magic of Small Lights in the Darkness

The Magic of Small Lights in the Darkness

Katie Ekblad Traver

How I Dealt with a Career Crisis at Age 30

How I Dealt with a Career Crisis at Age 30

Carolyn Larrivee

How to Host a Dietary-Friendly Dinner Party

How to Host a Dietary-Friendly Dinner Party

Caitlan Rangel

4 Ways to Level Up in Your Career

4 Ways to Level Up in Your Career

Tamara Stacey

Your Ideal Job Might Be Closer than You Think

Your Ideal Job Might Be Closer than You Think

Ben Wilson

Giving to Charity Isn't the Only Way to Help Those In Need

Giving to Charity Isn't the Only Way to Help Those In Need

Chuck Lamphier

Empowering Youth to Be Leaders of Tomorrow

Empowering Youth to Be Leaders of Tomorrow

Grotto

Finding Solace in a Skid Row Convenience Store

Finding Solace in a Skid Row Convenience Store

Grotto

5 Architecture & Travel Instas to Beautify Your Feed

5 Architecture & Travel Instas to Beautify Your Feed

Gabriella Patti

"To Be More"

"To Be More"

Stephanie Konrady

How St. Oscar Romero Changed My Life

How St. Oscar Romero Changed My Life

Vanesa Zuleta Goldberg

Why This Vegetarian Is Raising Chickens

Why This Vegetarian Is Raising Chickens

Grotto

“The Road Trip That Never Ended”

“The Road Trip That Never Ended”

Migs Mignanelli

Community Garden Feeds Neighborhood | Little Ways: Grow

Community Garden Feeds Neighborhood | Little Ways: Grow

Grotto

“Who I Am” is More Important than “What I Do”

“Who I Am” is More Important than “What I Do”

Molly Cruitt

Why Did This Marshmello Music Video Top 1 Billion Views?

Why Did This Marshmello Music Video Top 1 Billion Views?

Josh Noem

4 Things I Wish I Knew In My Early 20s

4 Things I Wish I Knew In My Early 20s

Lillian Fallon

newsletter

We’d love to be pals.

Sign up for our newsletter, and we’ll meet you in your inbox each week.