16 Arrests & Counting

Shepard Fairey admits he was never a good student. He was too into mischief, punk rock and skateboarding to tow the line. Becoming a street artist with guerilla strategies was a natural fit.

Early on he learned about the power of public space, the power of propaganda and the power of counter propaganda.

Life is good for Shepard these days, if you don't count the legal battles, 16 arrests, and accusations he's a sell out. He doesn't shrink from the accusers. He says he's okay with "working for Sprite during the day and liberating billboards at night." He calls it an inside outside strategy - infiltrating the system, working it, so you can "sieze the night."

Since his Obama Hope street poster went viral, his days as an obscure artist are long gone, but his punk sensabilities are still front and center. Not everyone gets his work. Someone took him aside to point out he misspelled military and schools on his "Militerry" poster.

His latest and largest mural is six stories high.

Influences: John Carpenter's movie, "They Live" (image on the left above); artists Barbara Kruger (middle image) and Robbie Conal (image on right).

Lessons Learned: Stop trying for perfection or you'll never do it. If you're mediocre but motivated, you can still make an impact.

Shepard's Bottom Line:
Speak out; be brave. Make everyone mad and have fun doing it.