If you're looking for one of a kind graffiti art to decorate your shop with, Tommy Bright has the designs for you 

For as long as Tommy Bright can remember he's been creating pieces of art on paper, canvas, clothing, and murals. He's the founder of Off the Wall Custom Creations.

"I've always been into art. I spent most of my school years doodling on the desk and on the back of assignments," Bright said.

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• Photo Courtesy Of Tommy Bright
• ORIGINAL Tommy Bright left his one-of-a-kind mark on the wall of the Cayucos Skatepark for the community to enjoy.

Before moving to San Luis Obispo County after high school, Bright grew up in Santa Cruz and was influenced by the graffiti art scene. Turn the corner on any given street and graffiti can be found on walls, dripping into the culture of the city.

"The vibrant colors, the various styles, the exaggerated characters, and the different techniques," Bright said. "The more I got into it, the more it has attracted me."

All artists have a different style and vision when creating their work. He sticks to bubbly or block lettering and characters with sassy personality.

Creating graffiti styled art makes Bright feel like he's part of a secret underground society. That feeling solidified when he contributed to the graffiti wall at Bill's Wheels Skateshop in Santa Cruz. It's a legal graffiti wall that the shop allows artists from all over to leave their personal mark on. In 1998, Bright was only 12 when he was given the opportunity to spray the wall with his design, filled with hues of blue and orange.

He pulls his inspiration from the everyday when he creates his art.

"The shape of a house or where the windows sit, the writing on a cereal box, or the colors on the feather of a bird," Bright said.

When he moved to the SLO area with his parents, he didn't leave his creative flow in Santa Cruz. He used to create murals and clothing as a side job, but he decided to take his passion seriously. Bright has created logos and art for local businesses within the county. He's created artwork for Golden Age Barber Shop in San Luis Obispo and Dolly's Donuts in Morro Bay, to name a few. Bright also created a mural on the back wall of the Cayucos Skatepark.

"I donated a 60-foot long mural to give back to the community and to give people something to enjoy looking at rather than a boring plain wall," he said.

The graffiti artist has gone to Ohio to lend his creative services to a church. He painted the top story of the church that is dedicated to the youth center, arcade, and café. He's also been able to send his artwork to customers in Germany, Canada, England, Italy, and Scotland.

Bright said he really likes to work with his customers one on one to figure out what their vision is and make it a reality.

His long-term goals include opening up his own shop and creating a youth program to keep kids on the right track.

To learn more about Bright and inquire on his art services, check out his social media pages titled Off the Wall Custom Creations.

Fast Fact

City Farm SLO is hosting a work party on Dec. 9 where the community can get a taste of working on a farm. Chores include crop bed prepping, seeding and planting, as well as cleanup, irrigation, and mulching. The farm is welcoming volunteers of all ages, no experience required. Tools for the day's activities will be provided, just bring a pair of work gloves and water. After volunteers have finished preparing the farm for winter rains, there will be cookies and cider. City Farm SLO is owned by the city of San Luis Obispo and managed by Central Coast Grown. The goal of the farm is to preserve the landscape in sustainable agricultural production and to provide its citizens with educational opportunities to learn about food production. The holiday work party will take place at 1221 Calle Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, from 9 a.m. to noon. For more info, visit centralcoastgrown.org or email [email protected]. Δ

Staff Writer Karen Garcia wrote this week's Strokes and Plugs. Send tidbits to [email protected].