The Leeside Tunnel skateboard park, one of the more popular — and only legal — spots for graffiti artists to display their work in Vancouver provides visitors a small glimpse into the local underground world of graffiti. Despite the rebellious nature of non-commissioned street art, some artists have managed to turn their work into a livelihood while others have remained anonymous within the graffiti community.

Joel Alaouze has been developing his painting skills for more than 10 years. The 25-year-old “writer,” a term preferred by some graffiti artists, lives two lives — one as a restaurant manager and the other as an artist painting murals and pieces on public walls, both legally and illegally. (…)

Full article: Vancouver Courier: Graffiti community