If the art world seems too stuffy for you, take the time to check out Boston-based MerkThose, a graffiti-style artist who works in both traditional and digital dimensions. His use of striking imagery and bold color depict urban life on canvas, on screen and on the walls of his hometown to highlight the attitude of the city. Capturing modern life at its grittiest, his work provides a no-holds-barred look into youth culture in the United States. In addition to an array of burlesque characters, Merk has captured legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix in his uniquely stylized portraits. Taking his work to new levels every year with an increasing use of digital resources, MerkThose is on the cutting edge of the new hybrid of street and technological art. Reason to invest: With his use of increasingly experimental techniques, graffiti-style work is true modern art. 

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