Theory Interview

Theory Wholecar

To start out with. What do you write? Where you from? What crews do you run with?

Theory: I write Theory….I’m from the cold north. Over the years I have been involved with different crews, but now I mainly just rep Fr8ophiles…

How did you come up with the name Theory?

Theory: It made sense to me….I look like a Theory…

Theory Fetus

Did you rock any names before Theory?

Theory: Yes, and no need to mention them….

Theory

How long have you been doing graffiti?

Theory: I got interested in graff back in 95/96…just tagging and bombing stuff..Late 97 I started getting way more into it, I hit my first Theory train in 98…

What influenced you to start graffiti?

Theory: I liked the idea of getting up, and then going out the next day and seeing your name on everything…and just the thrill of bombing stuff.

I got into trains after catching a Take 5 freight..prior to that, trains hadn’t crossed my mind much……anyways, so I caught his fr8 and was blown away. I started flicking every tag and piece on the trains..and I have been addicted to it ever since…..

Theory

You’re known for painting a lot of freight trains. Is there a particular type of freight you prefer to paint?

Theory: I like old dirty trains…and anything I consider a rare hit.. something that will travel far…I enjoy the over sized WC’s. They have a nice panel, but pretty much anything will do…

Do you consider yourself a rail fan?

Theory: I just love the railroad. So if that makes me a “railfan”, then I guess I am apart of that sausage party as well {no disrepsect to female railfans} Over-all train obsessions seems to be more dominant in men…ha ha..

I have spent a lot of time ridding trains and just getting to know them. I have ditched girls for trains, so I think that says enough…

Theory Character

You paint a lot of interesting characters as well as pieces. Do you prefer one of the other?

Theory: When I am painting letters, I prefer that and when I am painting a character then I prefer that…I just do what I feel like…

Rocking large silver pieces makes me pretty happy…I like going big..

Theory

Have you done any traveling with your graffiti? If so where?

Theory: I have painted in Asia..and across Canada….

Out of all the paintings you’ve done is there one you can call a favorite?

Theory: I don’t really have a favorite, but I do like some more then others because of the memories they generate….

Theory Silver e2e

Do you have a favorite brand or color of paint?

Theory: My favorite paint is no longer in stores. It was silver that covered so good and only cost 2.37 a can. I use painters touch and whatever else I get my hands on. I have tryed montana and some other brands…over-all I think it is
neat that there is paint like this for graff artists, but I also really like dirty looking graff done with shitty paint if its pulled off…

Theory

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen or experienced in a train yard?

Theory: I have experienced lots of crazy things in the train yeards, but here is one from my bro Tic Tac. He was leaving the yard and he saw a truck near the line. He looked towards the dude in the truck and right then the guy swings the door open and exposes his hard cock. So the guy is staring right at him and jerking it. Poor Tic Tac….

One of the first times I rocked a freight, I was up on a dock and I heard a van pull in behind a home in the alley next to the line. So i ducked. The van stopped for a minute then took off. I got up to paint and shortly after heard a crazy sound. I got down to hide. I peeked out and saw the house burning down, right where the van had parked for the minute. So I think the dude in the van started the house fire.

Theory

Do you have any good chase stories you’d like to share with us?

Theory: Over the years there has been a lot of close calls. The worst was 5 cop cars on us and they sectioned off the area to trap us. Luckily we escaped that one, just barely.

I have train hopped all over so there are many stories for another time…

Theory Fetus Prairie Pirates

Any last words for the Senses Lost readers?

Theory: Shout out to my Fr8ophile brothers..as well as Tic Tac and Beast…..

 


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8 Comments

  • Don R June 7, 2011, 1:21 am

    I saw this railroad car sitting by itself today, took a picture and googled the name and found this interview. I think it’s probably the same guy. I don’t normally even pay attention to graffiti but I thought this looked neat. Crazy huh? http://yfrog.com/h86ofgctj

  • Senses Lost June 7, 2011, 6:25 am

    That is the same Theory!

  • Jay October 2, 2011, 11:50 pm

    http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/270283_106762862753499_100002593578734_55920_1704974_n.jpg

    ryan henderson is my facebook im sort of posting graffiti on. I see some theory stuff alot but the above is the first one i took a photo of.

  • Andy December 2, 2011, 12:43 am

    Just started working for CN as a carman and have already seen a couple of great full-train peices of Theory’s. Have started to pack a camera to start documenting some of the great work that is out there. Keep doing what you’re doing man. it gives me something to look for every day.

  • Joey WanKenobi January 10, 2012, 12:40 pm

    First off, I have a 6 year old son named Theory. I also started working as a switchman at CN Rail about 5 years ago in Surrey. The guys I work with are taking tons of pics of your work for me and sending them my way. My personal favorite, and my son’s as well, is the “Tron” inspired one you did on a grain car. It happens to be one of his favorite movies. Keep up the good work my friend! Perhaps one day we will meet up.

  • Anonymous March 20, 2012, 10:07 pm

    I fucking missed out on probably Theory’s best work the other day. I was driving along going to pick some shit up for work, and there I see it. A totally blue sided car. He painted the whole side fucking blue and had a huge head of what looked to be an aboriginal man with a cowboy hat smoking a peace pipe, and a HUGE Theory scrawled across that car. I dont think I’ll ever forget that piece.

  • -rob- August 20, 2012, 8:32 pm

    I live next to a train track in Mankato, MN and see Theory’s artwork almost weekly. He is a very talented dude indeed. I often take pictures of his work just because it’s so amazing. By far, the most talented artist that I’ve seen. Keep it up bro!

  • Jess December 3, 2012, 3:20 am

    My dad works right next to the tracks in mankato, MN too and every once and a while when he sees dope graffiti art he busts his cellphone out, snaps a pic, and sends them to me right away. So far I have 2 of Theory’s artworks in my phone gallery. You have an amazing gift, Theory. Major props for doing what you do.

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