MILWAUKEE - When most of us think of graffiti, we do not come up with positive thoughts. However, one local young man is using graffiti for a good cause.

Turning urban concrete into a canvas: that’s one goal of Mathew Wolak, a member of TMSD Paints.

TMSD stands for: the mix stinkin’ deal.

Basically, it’s a ministry that uses graffiti for positive purposes.

“The problem with graffiti is it’s got a bad name. A lot of the guys who are doing this are superb artists, excellent artists, but they’re doing it disrespectfully over people’s property without permission,” Wolak said.

Wolak admits that when he used to mark buildings, he used to do it for the fame of being an artist, but those days are gone.

“I used to do it illegally, and so for me, I never cared about a person’s building, I never cared about their property, but when I came to Christ, Christ shared with me the importance of respecting other people, loving other people, and what I came to find is, I couldn’t do that anymore,” Wolak said.

The creation outside the Bucketworks building near 6th and Vliet is sanctioned by the building’s owner.

“My heart has changed. I wanted to respect the local business owner. I wanted to respect other people, and I wanted to show you could do it in a different way,” Wolak said.

With a new attitude, Wolak is determined to use his talent to color a better world.

“We’re a ministry at TMSD Paints, and we do this to serve God. We want to show that art can be used to glorify God and serve him and the community,” Wolak said.

For more information about TMSD Paints and how you can help the ministry, call 414-517-1406.