If you are strolling through Los Angeles’ Historic Core admiring the vast collection of Beaux Arts architectural buildings, it would be difficult to ignore the graffiti art of Mikolaj Wyszynski’s (Mick-o-lie Whiz-in-ski) adorning various windows and walls. The 35 year old artist emigrated from Warsaw, Poland as a 15 year old to join his mother in Riverside County. His unique art form has evolved from street graffiti to murals which reflect his fascination with ancient civilizations and Egyptology. Incorporated into his work are elements of street tagging, which he abandoned as a pastime after a few run-ins with law enforcement.
The artist drew and painted as a child in Poland and dabbled in comic book art while in junior high school. His early influences stem from spending summers with the bohemian artists, actors, jewelry designers and musicians who surrounded his father in the Baltic port city of Danzig. Drawing on this art filled background he taught himself the art and design that has become a signature of his murals. He also assisted noted Filipino muralist, Eliseo Art Silva, during the creation of Gateway to Riverside mural commissioned by the City of Riverside.
Rob Ross, Senior Graphic Designer for Fox Sports, recently commissioned Wyszynski to design a mural for his live/work loft on Santee Court. The graffiti influenced design transformed limited space in a hallway with a wavy water motif that “opened up the space” from the hallway into an adjoining bathroom. “He’s great to work with and needed very little direction,” said Ross. “It turned out exactly as I envisioned it.” (The design can be seen on Wyszynski’s Facebook pageMikolaj Leica Boss, along with other recent projects.)
Evoking his ancient culture fascination, his vinyl mural of the falcon headed Egyptian god, Horus, stands as sentry over the lobby at the Spring Tower. These murals and images frequently are infused with another interest of his: science fiction. He has read the works of classic science fiction authors H.G. Wells and Ray Bradbury, but is currently reading the works of Philip K. Dick and Richard C. Morgan. This literature inspires him to use doors and windows in his art as wormholes, or portals to other places. He also cites David Cho, a graffiti artist, as a strong influence on his work.
The majority of his commissions come from word of mouth from pleased clients and interior decorators. This circle of clients is derived from his ten year business venture, Forever Murals, which designed and painted hundreds of residential and commercial projects throughout the southern California area. He is also branching out beyond murals, having launched an apparel line of T-shirts, hats and pants called “Numbers Make Cents.” The apparel can be purchased on line at http://www.numbersmakecents.com and are also available at Outfitters located at 9th and Spring Streets, downtown.
Wyszynski’s favorite canvas seems to be the window displays at the Down and Out Sports Bar on the corner of Fifth and Spring. His Los Angeles street scene covers the northern windows and he periodically changes the Spring Street windows to reflect seasonal or special occasions.
Other examples of his artwork downtown include Velo City on the Tri Star Importer wall located on 4th between Wall and San Pedro Streets and his 12 x 12 acrylic spray paint on wood of Smiling Dog a large, playful dog with a Dodger cap on its head. The painting is available for sale on his Facebook page, or stop by The Hive Gallery downtown in March 2014, where he is completing pieces for a local exhibition. To find out more or to contact Mikolaj visit http://mikolajpaints.blogspot.com
By Thomas O’Leary
