Montana LA, Newly Opened Spray Paint-Can Store In Echo Park, Insists They're Promoting Art And Not Tagging
Montana LA, a newly opened art boutique selling spray paint in Echo Park, caters to graffiti artists who create murals and other rich displays of creativity in Los Angeles. 
Steve La
While the shop has become a hit with local artists, as first reported on the blog The Eastsider, some critics fear the store would supply spray paint to thugs who regularly deface public property.
"I don't think we're the problem," said Montana LA partner and graffiti artist Kelly Gravel, who goes by the moniker "RISK". "The real problem are the Walmarts and 99 Cent stores that sell the cheap spray paint cans. If people came inside, they'd see that it's a legitimate art store."
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| Steve La |
The inside aesthetics also reveals the store's goal of serving the artistic community with part of the interior reflecting L.A.'s urban setting. A brick wall lines one side of the wall complete with a fire hydrant and parking meter. Artwork is prominently displayed in the middle of the wall to showcase local talent.
"I just want people to be educated about graphic artists and not believe everything they hear on the news," Gravel said. "Graffiti artists often create murals over tag-ridden walls."
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| Steve La |
Gravel cited the upcoming MOCA exhibition as proof that graffiti art has become legitimized in the mainstream.
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