The opportunity to write for The Odyssey has been an interesting ride, and has shown me that my articles reach people farther than I thought. With this knowledge, I have a buddy from back home who wanted to know if he could share the small spotlight I know kinda have. This friend of mine is an artist back from...well, he just told me he doesn't want you to know where he's from. All I can tell you is he likes to paint, is 24, and he's kinda insane, but that's all a part of his creative process. I hope. I'm allowed to refer to him as "12" so I guess that's what you should know him as. He's got some big plans ahead of him, and he wants to show you the "tools of destruction" he has coming on the way. Whatever it is 12's working on, it's gonna be big:

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm very appreciative of this opportunity my good friend Nik has given me. I always knew he was gonna end up somewhere professional, while I waste away in my studio, blasting music at a soothing four thousand decibels. No complaints from the neighbors, though: no one lives out here, and that's what I like about my current digs. I digress, the reason I'm here is because I've noticed that there are many in my boy Nik's demographic concerning themselves with the art of, well, street art. Graffiti. Tagging. Bombing. Lurking around at night with a few good cans and some decent markers, and just f*cking sh*t up. Cavemen used to leave their mark on the world, why can't we, right? This resurgence of "guerrilla artistry" has me thinking, has me worrying, that you all are going to head out there with Sharpies and Decos, calling yourself the next Banksy while writing "(Real Name) was here." In all honesty, work like that makes me sick, and I will definitely paint over you toy jokers, but I'm hoping that some of you have some nice style. Now, what good is style if it doesn't stay up on your chosen canvas for a while? What happens when any schmuck city worker paints over your masterpiece? There are certain tools of the trade that you might not have picked up on, and that's why I'm here. I've been lurking in the online graffiti underground for many years, and I've found the place for the best supplies shipped with the best discretion, no questions asked. So, without further ado, I, 12, give you:

THE 12 COOLEST ITEMS ON ARTPRIMO.COM

(Haha, see where the name comes from? Now, let's talk some good, honest vandalism)

1. ART PRIMO SOLID PAINT MARKER

These babies are also known as "streakers" and are a staple of my diet. During a good month, I'll burn through nine or ten of 'em, and you're getting quite the bang for your buck. These solid paint markers are akin to more serious oil pastels, but they're UV resistant, assuming that you'll be painting someplace where the sun will shine. Maybe not at the moment you make your work, if you're smart. The solid paint marker is good to use all year, and is a great starting marker when climbing the ranks and just trying to get out there.

2. MARSH FOUNTAIN BRUSH EMPTY MARKER

This monster is called a "donkey brush" in the industrial/military setting it's usually found in. The nib is an inch and a half thick, and will do some serious damage on whatever poor, defenseless wall you happen upon in your night wanderings. The pump on this marker ensures some solid coverage on any surface, and should be used by the more experienced among you. Maybe those of you who are personally wealthy and have friends with similar interests and more skill, be nice and buy them one of these. Maybe they'll let you in on their tricks as a thank you present.

3. INSAT-WALL CLEAR WRAP

This clear wrap is for when you want to practice your technique without the risk of seeing those red and blue lights coming up in your peripheral. You can wrap this between two poles, or two trees if you live in the middle of f*cking nowhere like myself, and spray away. The wrap also comes in black, and is nice for demonstrations. Show the young'uns how to paint and inspire the next generation.

4. HANDSELECTA BLACKBOOK JOURNAL

Everyone needs to start somewhere, find some place for constant practice, some little nook that you can always go back to. That's what a blackbook is for, it's your little section of the art world that only you and those you choose to share it with can see. Handselecta has high quality pages that are bleed-proof for most paint markers. Set yourself up with some choice portable canvas, and work on that handstyle and letter structure.

5. MOLOTOW COVERSALL 3 w/ UV BLOCK

Sometimes you just want to watch the world burn, and you can leave it scorched and black with this particular can of paint. There's a special mixture of bitumen in this can that transforms the pigment into sprayable tar. The can has an outrageous output, and can be sprayed onto almost any surface, wet or dry. Seriously, the paint cuts through water molecules, binding with the first hard surface it comes in contact with. If that wasn't enough, it's nearly unbuffable, and the UV block means it won't fade from exposure to the largest nuclear reactor in our solar system. In the words of Jesse Pinkman, "Science, b*tch."

6. MOLOTOW BURNER MARKER

This paint in this large marker is cannibalistic. It will eat through any regular oil paint it encounters with no mercy. Perfectly fits in the average pocket for discreet destruction on a smaller scale.

7. PILOT CHISEL TIP

Some say Sharpie is their go to, but I've always had a place in my supply stash filled with Pilot chisel tips. This is an industrial marker that comes in a variety of sizes, and is great for sticker design and your blackbook. It's also relatively cheap, so there.

8. MOLOTOW HIGH PRESSURE

I heard about this paint from a Shepard Fairey interview. Apparently the man uses solely this for all of his stencil work and, thought stencil work is quite divisive in this industry, I know someone of his Andre the Giant sprays are still up to this day. That is some quality paint, and it comes out at a high rate. This can is not for the light of heart or the weak of wrist, and will only work if you give it the respect it deserves. Plus, that juice green looks so nice.

9. ART PRIMO BIG SQUEEZE

There is a similar Krink mop to this one, but it's way too expensive. This simple to use squeeze mop puts out as much paint as you can strangle out of it, depending on how angry you are at your targeted surface. Comes with a one inch nib ready for all sorts of havoc.

10. SMASH INK 2.7OZ

What good is that massive mop without fuel? Smash Ink comes in a variety of colors, from Clockwork Orange to Grape Depression, and this sh*t dries quick. You won't leave a nasty trail when you write, and this stuff is great to mix with other inks! Look on the artprimo website for some tasty concoctions.

10.5 MARSH K-GRADE STENCIL INK

I suppose I have to include this if I mention that nasty Donkey Brush. This thing goes through so much ink, the high output requires a high input when refueling for a night of deconstructive debauchery. The best value is the K-Grade stencil ink: while it works best on porous surfaces, it functions quite well on recently buffed walls. Perfect for letting the buff squad know that you are watching your territory, and that they better work for those drab ass blank walls.

11. MOLOTOW BURNER CHROME

This paint is the same kind placed into the burner markers, and is great for those classic silver and black throwies that everyone from the good old days remembers starting with. The only thing that can truly handle being the outline is that black coversall I put as number 5. Be careful, this is some powerful sh*t and is damn near blinding when any light reflects on it. You'll be sure to catch the eye of your fellow writers and local vandal squad law enforcement with this.

12. RUSTO FEMALE 25 CAP SAMPLER

For f*ck's sake, this part of paint history still pisses me off. Back when graffiti was truly taking off, companies like Krylon and Rustoleum changed up their valve systems. Krylon uses this pussy fan-tip bullsh*t, so Rustoleum is your only go-to paint when it comes to keeping it on the cheap, compared to all this fancy Molotow stuff I've been preaching about. Seriously, this cap sampler pack will seem like a Godsend when you hit up a Home Depot for the $4 Painter's Touch can sales, for all you white knight writers who still pay for your paint. From the fattest of the fat to the delicate and skinny, this little fellowship of caps will serve you well. Once you use them enough, and the paint has fused with their architecture, they can be dremeled into a nice necklace, too.

Fellow and future writers, I hope this list serves you well. These are my most basic recommendations, and I hope that many of you will be compelled to take to the streets and mark up those drab grey and beige walls. Remember, throwies over tags, pieces over throwies, and only paint the property of the system.

Your friendly neighborhood writer-man,

12