Brooklyn: Graffiti Workshop Bushwick Art Studio NYC Artist

4.81

(279 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were already laughing about our paint-splattered shoes by the time we stepped into the Brooklyn studio — it’s tucked right in Bushwick, surrounded by those wild murals you see on Instagram. Our guide, who goes by “Ghost” (I never did ask why), handed us masks and cans and just grinned, like he knew we’d be nervous. The smell of aerosol hit quick, sharp but kind of exciting, and the walls inside were covered in layers of color — some bits faded under fresh tags, like a living diary.

I tried to copy Ghost’s wrist flick for a clean line (not as easy as he made it look). He showed us how to do fill-ins first — big, bold patches — then let us mess around before talking about “pieces” and what makes a real tag stand out. Someone asked if graffiti was legal here; Ghost just shrugged and said, “Here? In this room? You’re safe.” I liked that. There was music playing low — old-school hip hop, I think — and outside you could hear the L train every so often rattling past. At one point I got paint on my sleeve but honestly didn’t care anymore.

The best part was when we all lined up our finished boards at the end. Everyone’s looked totally different — mine had drips everywhere but felt kind of proud anyway. Ghost took a photo for us (he called it “the gallery shot”), and I caught myself grinning like a kid. Leaving with my own piece of Brooklyn graffiti art felt weirdly personal. Still smells faintly like spray paint even now, days later.