ESFP [itw]

We still remember when we saw for the first time a piece of ESFP on the street: the one of McMasai.
For this reason, we are proud and happy to introduce you with the artist ESFP from the Netherland. We hope you will enjoy reading this interview as much as we enjoyed writting it!

StreetLove THE ARTIST

ESFP is Dutch. After living in Paris for 3 years, he is now living in a 20 year old VW van in the Netherlands.

Why ESFP as your artist name? « E = for Earl, my nickname. SFP = for Self Fulfilling Prophecy, an important matter I value a lot in life »

He is involved in street-art since 2007 and he began because he was intrigued by stencils he saw on the streets. Once, he came home and started cutting a large head of himself. He bought a spray can, sprayed, took away the stencil and got shocked while thinking: « WOW!!!! That is sooooo cooool! » Afterwards, he made several works on wood, canvas and cardboard before he left home with his stencils to try it on the streets.

He was 23 when he was active in the streets for the first time. Since that, he works alone, however he did some projects with Chasin’, a Dutch mate of his.

« I studied 7 years for Hospitality management, and worked for 3 years in a Parisian hotel. But the street-art of Paris did so much for me that I decided to quit my job to prepare a road trip through Africa which will start in January 2011. With a friend I prepare the VW van for this overland trip »

So StreetLove wishes you good luck and enjoy as much as you can!

He hasn’t yet exhibited in a gallery, but together with Chasin’ he decorated two bars in Paris (Hetfeeldís Pub and The Wall Pub). And if asked, he would like to exhibit in a gallery! Maybe after his Africa trip with some fresh works 🙂

StreetLove THE ART

« At the moment I work quite a lot on canvas »

His inspiration is from everything that happens in life. Things like reading papers, walking through a big city, travelling and talks in a bar with somebody he doesn’t know…

He had put his first stencil in the streets of Paris. He was not stressed, but excited though. He was excited when going out finding a nice spot, but at the moment itself he was relaxed and concentrated.

« When S is for a small Space Invader and XXL is for a Zoo Project, then my street-art size is from M to XL. The star fractal I made with Chasin’ was an XL work »

He made a lot more designs than he has put on the streets. On the streets he probably has about 60 pieces from 10 different designs. And you can find them all in Paris and bigger cities in the Netherlands.

Any idea about future street-art pieces? « Well I hope I’ll have enough time during my road trip through Africa to cheer up some cities over there ;). I want to make stencils inspired by the trip. A cupboard in the bus is reserved for my knives, cardboard, stencils, spray cans, etc… »

ESFP is experimenting a lot (with every new design) since he’s quite new in this scene. So most of the stencils he makes work « alone », with some exceptions of « series » of just a few works.

His street-art style is the stencil definitely! From one layer stencils to multiple layers stencils (up to 20 layers).

He works a lot about people or personalities, at the moment. He also tends to put meanings in his work.

StreetLove THE TECHNIQUE

His prefers working on walls, only. On the streets, he won’t leave without his folder equiped with stencils and extra pieces of cardboard. His bag is stuffed with tape, different caps, spray cans, knifes, flashlight if night, etc…

How much time do you need? « Depends on the work. At the beginning – with a one layer stencil – I finished in 30 seconds. When I started doing some more « extreme » stencilling I could be at the same spot for two nights, like for the McMasai or the Starfractal. »

The tip ESFP gave us: « I am not active on the streets for a long time but I think I can say: If you respect the streets, the streets will respect you. Meaning that when you’ll really mess up you can get in big trouble. You’ll be more understood if you choose your spot properly and be polite to authority or passers-by. The piece will last longer too 🙂 »

StreetLove THE FUN

To work, ESFP never leaves without some beers, depending on the time spent at the spot! In Paris: his Dutch wallet and in the Netherlands: his French wallet.

His favorite color is black, obviously!
He is listening to (Hard)rock, reggae, ska, 70’s music, etc…
« I seldom take pictures of my arts on the streets. I prefer seeing them on FlickR or StreetLove 🙂 »

3 things ESFP adores in general:
– Travelling all over,
– Walking through big cities while spotting street-art,
– The moment when he takes away the stencil and sees if all went according to plan.
3 things he hates: « I hate most things that have to do with hate. »

A message for StreetLove:
Keep Sharing & Loving the Streets!! Your website is awesome 🙂