Darnell “BigStep” Alford, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and learned graffiti writing at the age of 8 on city bus rides to and from elementary school. I would see the styles of different artists, try to copy their lettering and shading. I filled my notebooks, and anything else I could write on, with tags and scenes. I began using different markers and eventually graduated to spray paint, completing several burners or mini murals before middle school. In high school, I continued graf writing and took art classes where I was introduced to Prismacolor colored pencils. These showed me the possibilities of blending colors to show depth and shadows, and creating a rich foundation. After high school, I studied
Human Development/Sociology and English at Boston College on a football scholarship. I earned baccalaureate degrees and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2000 NFL Draft. Throughout my college and professional careers, I continued to draw, as time permitted, becoming adept at portraits, but unable to work consistently due to academic, physical, and time demands. Upon retirement from the NFL in 2008, I rediscovered my love of drawing, began doing portraits and challenging myself with the full human form. I’m currently learning more about the art industry, exhibitions, and forums to share my art with others.
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