Graffiti is a Kind of Writing

Although, I suppose it's more like art, usually.

I'm always kind of astounded at the difference between the kind of graffiti I see in smaller towns, and the kind you'll see in Toronto: the skill levels are so radically different that I can't decide if it's just a question of sheer numbers--there's just that many more good artists--or whether the competition for available space makes everyone step up their game(s). 

I do think that no one should be so obnoxious as to 1) paint over existing, commissioned art projects or 2) perfectly nice brick. And I guess I wouldn't be thrilled to find out that someone tagged my own garage door. Nine times out of ten, though, I think the graffiti is better than the peeling stucco or cinder blocks.