Graffiti Dad Limited Collab
A graffiti collaboration rooted in hip hop culture and handstyle
For this limited collaboration, we sat down with @graffiti_dad — a Bay Area–influenced graffiti artist blending hip hop culture and handstyle lettering with a real-life grind beyond art.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in the Bay Area, Graffiti Dad’s journey is deeply connected to graffiti, street culture, and creative freedom. From early wildstyle sketches to developing a distinct cursive-inspired handstyle, this collaboration celebrates authenticity, progression, and staying different.
The Artist Behind Graffiti Dad
Who are you?
My name is Ed Del Pilar. I’ve been a registered nurse since 2012. I was born in Los Angeles and raised in the Bay Area, and I also lived in the Tenderloin district in San Francisco. That’s where I was introduced to hip hop culture, especially breakdancing and graffiti.
The Collaboration
How did the collaboration with B.Different Clothing and Mural Graffitis happen?
About two weeks before the collaboration, I was talking to my wife about how cool it would be to get featured on Mural Graffitis. I’ve been following them on YouTube for a long time. Then I received a DM on Instagram about a collaboration.
I was super excited and felt validated as an artist and writer that something as big as Mural Graffitis and B.Different Clothing would want to collaborate with someone like me — a small content creator.
Graffiti Journey
When and why did you start graffiti?
I’ve been doing graffiti on and off since elementary school. My friends and I used to graff each other’s yearbooks or make slap tag stickers to put around town. Back then it was mostly wildstyle pieces, not tagging or writing.
I really got into tagging and writing at the beginning of 2025 after someone in my comments or DMs asked me to try it. I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try something new.
How would you describe your art style?
I grew up wearing hip hop clothing like Stussy, LRG, and Fatlace. I always liked how the lettering looked, so I wanted to mimic that style while adding a cursive flair.
What inspires your graffiti?
My main inspirations are a mix of 90s Bay Area graffiti and Philly-style writing. Combining those influences over time helped me develop my current handstyle.
Street Art & Philosophy
What do street art and graffiti mean to you?
I love street art and graffiti because there’s structure, but also no structure at all. You can truly be yourself. There’s no right or wrong way to do graffiti — you can completely make it your own.
Are there artists or brands that inspire you?
Brands like Stussy, LRG, and Fatlace were big inspirations for me growing up. Currently, I enjoy watching artists like Dmark and Everytagcounts on Instagram. Others I look up to include Skerb One and Medz.
Life as an Artist
Are you a full-time professional artist?
No, I’m not a professional artist. I still work five days a week, Monday through Friday.
What artwork are you most proud of so far?
I’m most proud of creating my current handstyle and alphabet from scratch. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else with the same writing style.
What has your experience been like trying to grow as an artist?
My experience has been awesome. I enjoy doing this every day. Even before starting my Instagram account, I was already doing graffiti daily just for fun. Social media pushed me to improve and get more creative.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Just get started and don’t worry about what people think. Social media helps because you can get advice and critiques from other artists. Some feedback might hurt, but it will push you to the next level.
B.Different Philosophy
What do you think about the philosophy behind B.Different Clothing?
I love that the brand is for people who are different and who love art. Art is a form of expression and freedom that no one can take away from you. I also love how you support artists from all over the world.
