Miguel Mendoza, 19, a graphic design major at the New World School of the Arts has taken his talents to the streets of Miami.<\/p>\n
He may not be as politically controversial as famous street artist Banksy, but he is slowly beautifying run-down neighborhoods around Miami, one sunflower-holding rabbit at a time.<\/p>\n
With thousands of U.S. Priority Mail stickers stacking up in his home studio, Mendoza\u2014tag name Miggs\u2014creates street art stickers for the entire downtown community to view. Making six foot black and white personified rabbits using the stickers and some spray paint, Mendoza plans to not only trademark himself, but to inspire others to pick up a can or two and make their own art for all to view.<\/p>\n
Mendoza\u2019s detailed rabbits are a raw depiction of innocence and beauty as they stand silently suited, placing blossomed sunflowers on brick walls.<\/p>\n
Street art has revolutionized the way our generation views art. Much more than simple graffiti, the likes of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and Gaia\u2014all infamous street artists using mixed media\u2014have all cast their visions upon public property in an attempt to take art back to the people.<\/p>\n
The sentiment is not entirely appreciated. For some people, it is considered more of an act of vandalism than a work of art.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t like people who just spray paint anything on a wall and call it art, or do it to mark their territory. It ruins the building and actual art,\u201d states Eduardo Cutino, 19, a computer science major at the Kendall Campus.<\/p>\n
However, with the passing of time, more young adults are seeing this as just another form of self expression, one no different than painting on canvas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen his work. I love street art. What better way to show and express what you feel than to put it on the street. Street art is getting more and more popular. Everyday I see a new tag or artwork on the street and it makes me happy,\u201d said \u00a0Robert Bola\u00f1os, 20, a film major at MDC\u2019s Kendall Campus.<\/p>\n
After being trained in various art forms\u2014specifically fine art\u2014in high school, Mendoza felt a change of pace was in order and began to look elsewhere for inspiration. Inspired by Shepard Fairey\u2019s rebellious nature, Mendoza began doing street art when putting brush to canvas just wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can make a painting, put it in a gallery and 50 people will see it. If I put it on the street it will be seen by 50,000 people,\u201d Mendoza said.<\/p>\n
Still defining himself as an artist, Mendoza explains that putting something where it doesn\u2019t belong gives him quite a thrill. However, he mainly wishes to inspire others to bring art back to where it belongs\u2014with the people.<\/p>\n
Mendoza says his love for street art will never cease to exist. He plans to become a full-time graphic designer and use his position to advance his street art.<\/p>\n
Making a name for himself via his trademark rabbits is just the first order of business for Mendoza. His dream is to put Miami on the map\u2014right next to New York City\u2014for its street art.<\/p>\n
Mendoza\u2014who hopes to one day be allowed to legally paint a mural at Wolfson Campus\u2014confesses, \u201cI don\u2019t think making street art will ever stop. It\u2019s the rebel inside me.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Miguel Mendoza, 19, a graphic design major at the New World School of the Arts has taken his talents to the streets of Miami. He may not be as politically controversial as famous street artist Banksy, but he is slowly beautifying run-down neighborhoods around Miami, one sunflower-holding rabbit at a time. With thousands of U.S. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":350,"featured_media":7078,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7076","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ae"},"yoast_head":"\n