KR. ONE "Graffiti Forever" Trains of Thought

KR. ONE – "Graffiti Forever” Trains of Thought. 2011. Acrylic, Marker and Ink over Giclee train on art paper. Size approx 36″ × 9″.

Louie aka KR.ONE, Gasparro is a self taught natural artist. His inspirations and earliest influences range from Saturday morning cartoons, 1960’s and 70’s underground comics, rock album cover and poster art and of course the rolling art of NYC Subway Graffiti.
Specific influences include: Roger Dean, Rodney Matthews, Vaughn Bode, Bernie Wrightson, Alex Nino, Josh Kirby, Syd Mead, Frank Frazzetta, Dan Merriam, DON 1, TRACY 168, ROTO, SON1, PRO1, and KEL139.

Born in Manhattan, raised in Astoria Queens; Louie totally absorbed the early to mid 70’s graffiti metamorphosis and in 1977 took the name KROME later changing it to KR.ONE. New York City’s MTA subway RR, M, L, J, A, B, 2 and 5 lines became the surface choice of this emerging artist’s creative expression.

In 1982, Louie put his late night subway excursions on pause to begin his musical career playing drums and guitars. He has written music and drummed for such legendary NYC bands, MURPHY’s LAW, LORDZ OFBROOKLYN, BLITZSPEER, SUPERVILLAIN and current hard rock / heavy metal project RESURRECTION SORROW, which are about to release their first independent cd in Aug.09.

All the while creating original artwork for other up and coming acts musical acts.

Thirty years and many miles later, this creative fire still burns bright as Louie continues his graphic, illustrative and graffiti art paintings with his own design company KOLORSTORM GRAFFICS, creating fine art, cd/dvd packaging, mural art, logo design, and clothing.
Louie has taken part in several successful solo and group showings along with his artwork being showcased in several books and magazine publications.

Graffiti on trains has always been a controversial medium, and this has certainly been one of the reasons that has made the form controversial and has brought such popularity to the movement.Although there have been many arguments about graffiti on trains,

the train has been the medium of choice for the ‘Graffiti Writer’. It is something that has been a vital part of the New York transit history, 
that often is spoke about by many of those who have had the experience to witness the works displayed on the subway system of New York.

"Trains of Thought" has re- captured the true attitude of graffiti once again, by placing original art form on trains!
An archival pigment print of a railcar placed on acid free museum quality paper was distributed out to numerous artists. Each artist then creates an original artistic rendition of whatever it is their ‘thoughts’ would take them.

These ‘train cars’ are beautifully adorned with mixed mediums and have been creatively hand embellished by the most talented New York Graffiti masters of yesterday and today.