LAKELAND, FLORIDA- Gallery 231 presents John Simpson, a local airbrush and graffiti artist, during the July 1 First Friday festivities in downtown Lakeland.

First Friday festivities are 6-9 p.m., and Simpson will paint live in front of Gallery 231 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A graduate of The Art Institute of Tampa, Simpson realized during his studies that art was something he wanted to do for a living. He pulls inspiration for his art from everything in his life.

“For me it’s just about having fun and creating something that I think is going to look cool, or inspire others,” says Simpson.

Airbrushing and graffiti are just two of Simpson’s specialties. Ultimately, animation is what he wants to do for a living. He is employed at Busch Gardens as an artist airbrushing T-shirts and license plates.

Simpson wants the public to know more about graffiti art, and does his best to stay away from the stereotype of it being vandalism.

“I see it in my mind as a stylized graphical representation of an idea or event. Traditional images become simplified, colorful, and often distorted,” he says. “With graffiti, you’re only limited by your own imagination.”

Simpson’s art will be displayed in Gallery 231 throughout July.

The gallery, located at 231 N. Tennessee Ave., is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is open extended hours during the monthly Downtown Lakeland Partnership First Friday events and on special occasions. All artwork on display is available for purchase.

For more information about Gallery 231, please visit its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Gallery231. You also can follow on Twitter: @Gallery231. For more information, call 863-272-9231.