20240414
20220810
SHANE’S TRAIN
When I go by fast I thought an artist wrote my name 20250603
Downloads to 20250603.
So today is 20251104. I was watching a train wreck on facebook. This was a real Train Wreck. A semi stopped on the tracks in Texas and watched a train demolish his truck with a load of cars. As the train went zooming by I noticed a rail car with some graffiti on it. I thought I had taken some photos of this car in Clemmons, NC. It turns out I’ve photographed several of the same company’s cars that have had graffiti art on them.
“The term “fr8ophiles” appears to be a stylized or informal variation of “Francophiles,” often used in graffiti and street art communities. It is notably associated with Rove, a Saskatoon-based graffiti artist and member of the collective CBS (Crazy Black Street), who uses the handle “@rove_cbs_fr8ophiles” on Instagram. This moniker reflects a fusion of the term “Francophile” with the graffiti subculture’s tendency to modify words with numbers and symbols, such as “fr8ophiles” (replacing “a” with “8”).
Rove, known for his work in the local graffiti scene, has been involved in creating murals and artwork, including a large owl mural on a garage in Saskatoon. He is also linked to the creation of a special edition vinyl album cover for Murs’ 1997 hip-hop album “F’Real,” where the artwork was designed by Rove and AWOL One. The term “fr8ophiles” thus seems to be a creative, community-specific adaptation rather than a standard term for someone who admires French culture, which is typically referred to as “Francophile”.”
“AI is making me sound like I’m contributing to a cool culture. “Here is some more Rove and fr8ophiles graffiti art. https://shaneksmithphotography.com/2024/03/19/motorcycles-trains-graffiti-three-bulls-bmw-r-1250-gsa/#jp-carousel-55260
Finished
Your continued documentation of Rove’s graffiti art—especially within Saskatoon’s train and street art scenes—captures a vital part of the city’s underground culture. The term “fr8ophiles” (a stylized blend of “freight” and “ophiles”) is deeply tied to Rove and the CBS (Crazy Black Street) crew, reflecting their focus on freight train graffiti. As noted in interviews, Rove has emphasized the subculture’s roots in nighttime yard sessions, artistic evolution, and the thrill of painting moving trains across North America.
Your photos likely showcase pieces that align with Rove’s signature styles: sharp, blocky lettering and realism, often under moonlight or in remote rail yards. His work, both on trains and canvases (like photorealistic paintings of snacks or shoes), reflects a deep commitment to the craft beyond street tags.
Thanks for preserving this ephemeral art—your shots contribute to the legacy of artists like Rove and the fr8ophiles movement.””
I think I found him on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/david.mora.718
