'It's not just a spray can': Codezart finds comfort in creating graffiti art

Palm Springs Desert Sun

As Cody Silva spray-paints a mural of triangles forming a mountain on the patio of Flat Black Art Supply at Westfield Palm Desert, he's in a zen state as he carefully sprays white and green paint within the lines of masking tape.

In trying to find the words to describe his art, the artist known as Codezart uses the term "controlled chaos."

"I had obsessive compulsive disorder when I was a kid and I'm putting something together that's super neat and chaotic at the same time," Silva said. "I lose myself when I’m doing it and it’s the only time in my life when I’m able to calm my brain down.

"It’s blissful, but chaotic in the way I do it. It’s just on the spot and I found a way to groove with it."

Silva, a graffiti artist who grew up in Cathedral City, has painted murals for Westfield Palm Desert and its Street festival. He also has clients such as the Palm Desert businesses Tile Designs by Fina, iPay Solutions and Blssd Barbershop.

Cody Silva AKA Codezart at the Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif. on Nov. 27, 2019.

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He applies an abstract technique using triangles and prisms in a growing or moving progression. There isn't a blueprint for a design — letting it flow is part of his process.

"Abstract is a huge window and there’s different kinds. Sometimes it’s harder to do abstract art than just drawing a picture you’re looking at," Silvia said. "It has to come from somewhere inside of you instead of looking at something trying to draw it. I’m not controlling it. I’m just watching it and helping it on its way."

The name Codezart is a mash up of his nickname "Codez" and the word "art." He's used the moniker since he began doing graffiti.

Pete Salcido owns Flat Black Art Supply, an art supply store that sells spray paint and apparel, and said Silva's work stands out, making it easy to recognize.

"Cody's skill set is unique," Salcido said. "It's not your everyday art. People might say it's simple because it's just triangles, but I think that's also what makes people interested in it, too. Cody has a lot of talent and he's getting better every time. I think he'll go very far with what he's doing."

But many people don't see graffiti as an art form, often because of its association with vandalism. But that's not the type of graffiti Silva is creating.

"You have graffiti art, and you have graffiti vandalism," Salcido said. "People go out and write graffiti on the streets. That's been around since long before my time. That will probably always be around."

Codezart (Cody Silva) works on a mural on the patio of Flat Black Art Supply at Westfield Palm Desert in Palm Desert, Calif. on Dec. 3, 2019.

Making graffiti art

Graffiti, which fits into the methods of street art, is usually composed to make a public statement as a form of intelligent mischief. In the '70s and '80s, graffiti was everywhere in New York City, and some who used it to make a statement were Keith Haring and René Moncada.

During the '80s, Los Angeles graffiti artists such as Skate (Aaron Anderson), CHAKA (Daniel Ramos) and RISK (Kelly Graval) created prolific graffiti. Graval's work has been seen on film sets like "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and in music videos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Michael Jackson.

Dave Grohl of Nirvana was inspired to write "CHAKA" on his snare drum for the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video, in tribute to Ramos.

Silva counts Graval and another artist known as Craola (Greg Simkins) as his two main influences. Simkins has had gallery exhibitions around the world, and his piece "The Well" was on display at M Modern Gallery in Palm Springs in 2008.

The mural "Positive Movements" painted by Cody Silva, aka Codezart, at the Westfield Palm Desert in Palm Desert, Calif. "It’s all black, white, gray and a couple of silvers here and there," Silva said "It spawns off a red triangle and flows like leaves are blowing away. I was trying to symbolize movement with red and other dramatic colors for that.

Silva started tagging and doing quick graffiti art as a teenager, keeping it secret from his family.

"You don’t realize how much goes into a simple tag or crazy mural," Silva said. "It’s not just a spray can. There’s a bunch of different techniques."

But earning credibility in street art is difficult.

"For the first few years when no one knows who you are, you’re basically what they call a ‘toy’ where you’re like a poseur," Silva said. "Everybody is a poseur until you get somewhere. That’s just the name of the game. At that time in my life, I was a toy. But you learn all those tricks and you master them, it just takes a long time."

Street art entered the mainstream thanks to artists Shepard Fairey, who is known for designing Barack Obama's "Hope" poster and an "Obey" clothing line, as well as the mysterious guerrilla street artist known as "Banksy."

A mural painted by Cody Silva (Codezart). There’s been a couple of walls that are knock offs of what I’ve done," Silvia said. "There’s been some people to pick up where I couldn’t get a job and they’ll hire somebody that can do similar work. It is what it is, but it’s complimentary. The Westfield Palm Desert has a wall that someone came around and did something similar. "

In October, Banksy's painting of British politicians painted as apes sold for $12 million.

Cities across the Coachella Valley have seen more murals painted on local businesses in recent years. Despite Palm Springs' initial hesitance towards murals and public art projects in 2014, the city now has an ordinance and approval process that allows them.

Commissioned projects have also grown immensely in recent years, said Salcido, the owner of Flat Black Art Supply.

"People are finally able to make a living off this stuff," Salcido said. "Most of the people coming into my shop are buying supplies and doing commissioned art work, like murals and canvases."

Westfield Palm Desert and Salcido helped connect Silva to opportunities inside and outside of the mall. He's painted many of the current murals inside the shopping center, as well as for its annual Street art festival in November. His mural "Positive Movements" is on display in the staircase on the second to third floor of the Macy's parking garage.

Street art becoming more mainstream — and done in legal settings — has led to the emergence of purists who do it anonymously with social messages or for the thrill. They criticize graffiti artists who take paid commissions, Silva says.

A mural done by Cody Silva (Codezart). "I like dealing with prisms and that’s where it’s spawned off of," Silva said. "A whole bunch of triangles, different forms and every degree. Trying to show something out of that with movement or flow, a continuation or something."

"They aren’t doing it to be famous, they want to be this faceless person who can do all this crazy stuff around town," Silva said. "In that world, you become a complete sellout because of the underground culture. It’s supposed to be underground and no one is supposed to know. Graffiti is so strong with that. But I’m trying to do this for a living. That’s an artist’s dream and a lot of people knock that."

Before he focused on graffiti and street art, Silva struggled with drug addiction. He said there's a big difference in how he feels about his life now compared to six years ago.

"I’m sober now and it’s the first time I’ve been level-headed since I was 16," Silva said. "Now I’m calm when I’m drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette. It’s a beautiful feeling though, and I don’t wish addiction on my worst enemy."

For five years, he says he didn't create any art before he went to rehab and got sober in 2018. When he started again, it felt therapeutic.

"That’s part of the journey. It’s become a highlight in my life where people are liking my art and I’m doing different walls, murals and canvases for people across the valley," Silva said. "I obviously wasn’t looking for it a few years ago. But I haven’t had any problems trying to find work if I really wanted it. I think things are a lot accepting now."

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4617