Local artist Santana Block slowly into work a mural on the wall of The Farmhouse Boutique & Home Décor. Photo by Aaron Ricca
KINGMAN – The smell of spray paint wafting in the breeze can signal nefarious deeds or a work of art.
Productive art is preferable. It starts somewhere and can lead to more.
One more downtown wall has been beautified thanks to local barber and spray paint artist Santana Block, 29.
He’s originally from Southern California and moved to Kingman with his family in 2006 right before he turned 11. He’s been here since and now owns Bully Street Barbers on Beale Street.
He started a mural of flowers on the side of The Farmhouse Boutique & Home Décor, just right down the street from his barber shop, Nov. 26. It took him three days, and more than enough cans of spray paint and variations of color to count to finish the finish the 912 square-foot painting.
The hobby started at an early age. He began painting graffiti in sixth grade, roughly in 2006, not necessarily innocently, but it would develop into an art form.
“I would say I have always been creative and been an artist since elementary school,” he said. “I would tag in bathroom stalls and stuff. But I always wanted to be better so I would draw and draw letters to perfect it. I actually started tagging with spray paint at about 15 or 16 years old.”
His dad, Salomon, showed him how to use a can and different nozzle filters and it was over from there.
“I wanted to get better at painting so I would practice on the walls we had in our backyard,” he said.
He took to the streets as got better and wound up on the wrong side of the law.
“The gang task force caught up to me eventually,” he said.
Block considers himself an artist through and through.
“I don’t like to stick to one medium,” he said. “Whether it is acrylic paint and a canvas, a pencil and pad, or even making music, I’m and artist and a creator.”
His first can of spray paint was a can of Rust-Oleum from Walmart.
“It’s not the best, but it gets the job done,” he said.
Block credits his father for his inspiration to draw and paint.
“He’s a great artist from tattoos to sketches and graffiti,” Santana said. “I’d watch him and eventually asked him to show me how to paint.
That observation became a lifelong lesson and passion.
“A lot of my style and inspiration came from him,” he said. “I wouldn’t know what I know if it wasn’t for him.”
The Farmhouse owners Serena and Java Maglasang commissioned Block to paint the wall.
“They had an idea and a reference, and I slowly made the work my own and brought it to life,” Block said.
The Maglasangs had seen his previous graffiti art around town and contacted him.
“We’ve known him for years and he’s Java’s barber,” said Serena.
It was basically something the couple wanted to put on the side of their building for years, but the time didn’t work until now.
“I just wanted something bright and colorful to impress the community,” Serena said. “We worked together on the design and color palette, but Santana executed it perfectly.
They were stunned by the finished product.
“It was something we never expected, and it turned out spectacular,” Serena said.
How Block and other artists get paid varies. Some artists charge by square footage. He can charge by the piece or hourly depending on the amount of work involved.
“You could make pretty decent money, you just have to have skill,” he said. “Set yourself apart from the other artists and you can be great.”
Block wouldn’t name one specific quality of what he likes about painting but attributed creativity, flow and colors.
“I love the feeling you get from any artwork,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about, making people feel something. To be the one to create it, that’s a whole other level. To me, that’s my therapy.”
Block gave a shoutout to all the people who have given him walls to paint, from commissions or walls for fun. They make the whole thing possible.
“One wall leads to another and another and I’m just so appreciative of the trust they’ve given me. I love my community and being a part of it,” he said. “Santana Block for the people.”
Aaron Ricca
