“Ghost” Edition OZOMAHTLI by Jesse Hernandez
Ghost edition OZOMAHTLI by Jesse Hernandez. The new custom will be released in early April and limited to 100 pcs. For more information check out www.immortalstudios.net
Interview: Greg “Craola” Simkins
We’ve always wondered why graffiti artists have never been recognized for their art as much as painters in the fine art world. It seems like the times our changing to an extent but still there’s not enough ground to say that the worlds will ever be the same. The cultures behind them will always evolve but always be two different worlds.
Greg Simpkins, aka Craola, has been one of the few that has truly broken free of the void and been recognized for his paintings on walls and canvas. Just for kicks, we were curious to see what he had to say about the contrast and experiences of his work over the years on walls and canvas,and so on.
La Famiglia-When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Craola-I always thought I would be a veterinarian, all the way up til I started college.
La Famiglia-What inspired you to start painting?
Craola-I always drew, ever since I was really young. Actually transferring over to using paint happened when I picked up a can of spray paint when I was 18.
La Famiglia-Where do you usually draw inspirations from for your projects?
Craola-Nature, I love animal books and going to the zoo, books (Watership Down, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Bible, The Chronicles of Narnia, Dean Koontz…), movies, the old masters such as Caravaggio and Bosch, still lifes, cloudscapes, song lyrics…
La Famiglia-Do any of your characters ever visit you in your dreams?
Craola-Yup, usually before I paint or draw them though. I have come up with a lot of my imagery from jotting ideas down in my sketchbook after being awakened from a dream.
La Famiglia-Did you paint on walls before you started painting on canvas? If so, how did the transition come about?
Craola-Yes, I painted only walls for many years and then picked up a brush in my early twenties and it changed my life and the entire way I view art. Acrylics are by far my favorite medium, I love pen and ink, pencil, spray paint and computers as well, but the brush is tops for me.
La Famiglia-What have you learned from your experience with graffiti and how has it changed the way you paint?
Craola-It taught me how to paint large and gave me confidence to attack different projects. I learned a lot about composition and color theory as well along the way both in school and on the walls.
La Famiglia-Could you tell us a few of your favorite artists?
Craola-There is a huge list, but here are some: Caravaggio, Bosch, Davinci, Jan Van Huysom, Jacques Louies David, Jan Van Eyck, Salvador Dali, Magritte, Dr. Seuss, Chuck Jones, Preston Blair. Some more contemporary artists that I admire are Todd Schorr, Tim Burton, Alex Pardee, Kris Kuksi, Matthew Bone, Bob Dob, Gunnar, Adam Hathorn, Jason Maloney, Travis Louie, Steven Daily, Axis, Seen, Sub, Scribe, Aaron Dellavedova, and so many more…
La Famiglia-Do you ever personally feel like your paintings are actually complete?
Craola-Most of the time, they are done when they are done and it is time to move on to the next. I usually don’t feel like it isn’t finished when it is done, it does happen on occasion.
La Famiglia-Tell us about the environment which in you work?
Craola-I listen to music, radio, audio books, and movies, TV. Shows and anything I can find to keep my mind busy while I paint.
La Famiglia-What has been your greatest hardship through out your career and what have you learned?
Craola-The hardest thing was when we made the decision to pursue a career as a fine artist and quit my secure well paying job as a texture artist for video games. It was a big step and very scaring not knowing if we were going to be able to pay rent and keep it up. Thank God it has been going steady and we definitely count our blessings.
La Famiglia-Please tell us about a piece or two that you are sending us?
Craola-The piece “It Wanders” was first a sketch sitting in my book for well over a year now. It started off with the couch, then the idea of a boy looking out of a blown up room. It just flowed from there and once I started the finish sketch, the idea of dragons floating in puddles of melting snow men and cloudscapes with pirates in the distance started to materialize and add mini stories to the main scene going on.
La Famiglia-Do you have any inspirational advice for any young artists?
Craola-I would just say polish your craft. Learn everything you can and don’t get comfortable with what you are doing. Also respect others and try your best to keep a good work ethic.
La Famiglia-Any last words?
Craola-The hidden people behind what I do deserve more credit than they get. This is a good chance to say thanks to my amazing wife, Jenn who does all the business stuff and thanks to my Dad who builds all my panels, works on my frames, and helps me in more ways getting my projects going than anyone, and thanks to my Mom for handing out fliers to all my shows to every waitress that serves her.
Links:
www.imscared.com
“Gooses Geeses” by Audrey Pongracz
Tomorrow at 10am 323East and Audrey Pongracz are releasing a signed and numbered Giclee print of “Gooses Geeses”. The print is 18′ x 15′ printed on canvas, adorned in the original frame. This limited edition offer is part of the Glass, Cinder and Thorns Group Show at 323East. The opening is for the show March 20th.
For more details go to:
www.323east.com
Artist Feature: Duda Lanna
Duda Lanna is a graphic artist from Porto Alegre, RS – Brasil. Featured here are a few pieces of his work with use of acrylics and ink on paper.
My work moves through different styles, and goes beyond the visual arts, like science fiction, alchemy and psychedelic rock of the 70s. – Duda Lanna
R.I.P. Dare (TWS) 1968-2010
Swiss graffiti artist Sigi von Koeding, aka Dare (TWS), passed away yesterday (March 6, 2010) in a hospital in Basel. R.I.P. (1968-2010)
Rest in Peace Dare † 06.03.2010 from I Love Graffiti on Vimeo.
Links:
www.dare.ch
CAC Art Series: Custom Kicks
The Cultural Affairs Commission Art Series at UCLA recently hosted one of their biggest events of the year, the “Custom Kicks Live Event.” The event featured two artists, Sole Junkie and UCLA’s own Jacob Patterson, both who have gained prominence for their custom hand painted “kicks” and other urban-inspired artwork.The event drew in an energetic young crowd that was blessed with the artists’ presence. The exhibit also hosted up and coming Spoken Word artists Ebony Donnley and Jessica Smith, current UCLA undergraduates.
Jacob Patterson & Steven Cedre (aka Sole Junkie)
The Art Series strives to promote the arts on campus by educating, informing and inspiring students through a variety of artistic disciplines. This series will be dedicated to working with student organizations and artists to curate the Kerckhoff Art Gallery and showcase a new exhibition every week. The weekly exhibits will highlight the talent of students and localartists in the mission of creating dialogue on relevant social issues.
The exhibit ran from Feb 22 to Feb 26th, with the previously mentioned opening event on Feb 22nd from 5-7pm, in the Kerckhoff Art Gallery, on the UCLA Campus.
more information can be found here:
www.culturalaffairsla.com/art-gallery
Links:
Jacob Patterson’s Myspace
Steven Cedre, Jr. alka Sole Junkie
Photo’s courtesy of Eileen Liu. Thank you Eileen!
“LA Art Expo-2010′ Re-cap
This is a re-cap of “THE LA ART EXPO.” Mac, Retna, Kofe, and Mear One do live demonstrations over four days. And obviously lots of amazing art
Artist Feature: Chris Murray
The artwork of Chris Murray. Featuring a few pieces of his work with acrylics on paper.
"Dear Mom" - Acrylic on Paper
"A Cry for Help" - Acrylic on Paper
"S. Twins” - Acrylic on Paper
Links:
www.chrisbmurray.com
INTERVIEW: WON (ABC)
German based artist WON, works in many mediums. From spraypaint to sculpture, illustration and design. We searched the web really struggled to find some valuable information about him other than the fact that he seems to be pretty well respected, as he should be. So we contacted to discuss life and learn.
La Famiglia – Please introduce yourself.
WON – My name is WON my crew ABC, Art Bombing Clan. I grew up in Munich, Germany. The earliest influences of art came from the art books of my father, and of course comic books. At the age of 4 years my parents took me to an art show of Picasso. There was a wooden group of very simple sculptures. I still remember a deep feeling of understanding with out exactly knowing what Picasso had in mind by producing this sculptures. most of the audience in the show said that Picasso just wanted to fake people by nailing some wooden garbage together. But I think I felt the mystic aspect in art which the intellect is not able realize.”
La Famiglia – How did you get into graffiti?
WON – Like most of the European pioneers in the beginning of the 80’s when the film Wildstyle came to the cinemas. This impact was so fresh and powerful that this culture is still alive worldwide. To check out borders criticize our western world concept of consuming in which belongings have such a high standard were also reasons to bomb this world with color, this world does not deserve to stay clean, that is why I smear it to the max
La Famiglia – When you were a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
WON – First I wanted to become a musician. Later a grammar school I found out that specifically girls loved my drawings and wanted to collect my stuff.
La Famiglia – What influences your work?
WON - Life itself, every evening I try to rip down my universe so that the next morning I can rebuilt it again more aesthetically honest and directly so that it shines unfinished through my physical death. Supposedly the essence of painting and creating is not to become stiff in your expression. Shape and form are tools with which to work, it should never be self-explanatory. The form, shape and direction are just a medium for lives elixir, to make the essence of life artistically visual in total harmony with body and soul. Everyday I have to break the mould. Everyday I have to renew myself similar to life itself in the continual river of change. Human chameleon style. Every set form as mighty as it may be conceals the path towards “truth , life knows no boundaries. Chaos rules this place where we dwell.
It is important I you want to change something with your rotten art pieces not to point your accusing finger. saying this world is shit living with atomic, biological and chemical weapons, pollution, the vast disregard of the human being against mother nature especially wildlife, racism violence and so on…. I could write an encyclopaedia about this catastrophe. That all of these disasters that exist is not part of my mission. To begin with it is too easy just to oppose something. More difficult especially honest and useful is to be ready for something. To be opposing means destruction. to stand up for something to work with it sowing it, nurturing it but never harvesting it, that is what life is worth living for. Tearing down pre conceived ideas, walls, barriers so that you can rebuild things more healthily and beautifully that is a reason to live for. Secondly it is probably the beautiful lest way to change this wonderfully shitty world with your art pieces by creating a contra world. Something that reduces the hyper mighty negative energies of this world. I build a new world, a world full of color.
La Famiglia – Who are some of your favorite artists?
WON – Goya, Caravaggio, Robert Williams, Bode`,liberatore, Hironimus Bosch, Giger,mucha, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and of course the NY pioneers of graf!!!!!!!!!
La Famiglia – What is the scene like where you live? How is it different from other places through out the world that you have done work?
WON – The Munich scene is still very active. What I really find inspiring all over the world that the graffiti virus can not be stopped and still gets stronger an will reach all clean areas on the world map.
La Famiglia – What has been your most memorable project you’ve worked on? Can you tell us a little bit about it?
WON – Some years ago I did a canvas painting project called “love project” together with about 20 teenagers who stayed for one or two years in a open house project in Hamburg, Germany. All these kids have been hardly drug addicted and were sent to prostitution. Most of them never painted a canvas with cans. I choose the theme love for all canvases because this was the thing this young people never became too much in life. First they had problems to start and paint the white canvas. I told them that you can not make a mistake in painting. There are no wrong lines or whatever. I told them to close their eyes and think about love and bring some lines to the canvas as a starter. It worked. The pictures were exhibited in an art show. The kids were so proud of the their work shown in a public place. This project was so memorable for me because I think I gave this kids a little help and confidence to find back in our society.
La Famiglia – What would you like to do with you work that you have not had a chance to do yet?
WON – I would like to send a painted satellite to the orbit
La Famiglia – What’s the craziest story you have from your travels?
WON – Oh there were so many. Lets bring it together like this: Most of the countries I painted in were nearly graffiti free, for example Thailand, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Belize and Cuba. A lot of the pictures where not located in cities or on public places. I only painted for people to whom I grew up a special relationship. When you have a funny time at the place together with the locals and see their happy eyes when you leave them this means much more than getting respect by your own scene. I also paid for all the paint. What you give is yours forever what you keep is lost forever. That is my way to show the syndicates and governments of our days that humans exists who do their own thing not only focused on money and authorities and give pictures for free as a present to foreign cultures. What is for free in this cooperated world? ZERO.
La Famiglia – What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?
WON – Stay strong, if you really believe in your dreams they will come true, but you have to work hard on it.
La Famiglia – Any last words?
WON – In every one of my color tantrums you can feel the anger and the rage inside me that I feel for this world in an intense open and truthful way (1994). My pictures and thoughts are answers to my surroundings, hard, nasty, filthy and massive. The world does not deserve to be clean, that is why I am smearing it to the max. The world has been gorged with shit for too long instead of progressing healthily. The world needs to be smeared with colour to be reborn again, destroy and create all at the same time, that is the way of the graf bomb!
Links:
www.wonabc.com
Artist Feature: Niz
Niz is a female artist based out of Austin, TX. If you are in Texas in early May, make a trip to Austin. Niz’s work will be featured in a solo exhibit, “All That Noize,” for a month at The Continental Club Gallery. Below are a few wall pics from around the city of Austin. Make sure to check out this past interview we did with Niz and some of her skateboard art here!
Links:
www.nizgraphics.com
Artist Feature: Daniela Uhlig
Daniela Uhlig is a young designer & illustrator based out of Berlin, Germany. Here’s just a few images of her work.
"Cap"
"Seemonster"
"Catfisch"
"Hylaeus Species"
"The Pet"
Links:
http://du-artwork.de
Faile BAST Deluxx FLUXX Arcade 2010
Here is a short video about Artists Bast & Faile creating an arcade!
A Love Letter For You
Here’s several images of a mural series by Philadelphia based artist Stephen Powers. This series was part of the city of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program.
Bullets & Love 3 Mannequin Art Show
Here’s a few pics from the Bullets & Love 3 Mannequin Art Show at Fresthetic in Brooklyn, NY. The show will be up till March 9th, 2010 and features the work of M. Tony, Destroy & Rebuild, Sylvia Ortiz, Kevin Champeny, ees & Msmensen, See One, Leo Tecosky, Marguaxtron, Josh Diaz, Juan Doe, KA, Marthalicia, Nelson Caban, Rob Fokused, Munish Asnani, Sofia Maldonado, Savior Elmundo, Cekis Salo, Made in Bklyn, Bonafide Rojas, and Mincho Vega. For more info go to: www.fresthetic.com
Artist: Randy Quiles
Artist: Kay Aye
Artist: Mike Baca- DestroyRebuild
Artist: Kevin Champeny
Artist: Josue Diaz
Vancuouver Olympic Dunks – Sicksessor
Vancouver Olympic Dunks in by Sicksessor (6SR) in honor of the 2010 Olympic Games.
Links:
Sicksessor (6SR)
“Super Nova Jimi” by MEAR ONE
The “Super Nova Jimi” is MEAR ONE’s tribute to the legendary Jimi Hendrix. This new piece took over 300 hours of work. On February 22nd, 2010 @ 1pm PST, the limited giclee edition will go on sale and be available on the baurmanngallery.com. It will be limited to an edition of 100, with the purchase price initially at $650 + shipping. The image size will be 33 ½” by 40 ½”, with the total size of the limited edition measuring 35 ½” by 42 ½”. To purchase or more info, email info@baurmanngallery.com
Link:
www.mearone.com
Artist Feature: Busk
London (U.K) based graffiti artist, Busk , has been spraying for over 25 years now. Here’s just a few pics.
Links:
Busk’s on Myspace
Marka27’s “Half-Dead Buddy”
Marka27 just released his new custom Mexican Luchador design “Half-Dead Buddy”! Standing 8 inches tall. The first 8″ Buddy production by Bic Plastics. Limited at 150 pieces. Really Dope!
SPECIAL VALENTINE GIFT FOR YOUR LOVE
FOOX’s Valentine’s Day themed painting of a heart on top of an x-ray of his own chest. Because of the radiation this is a limited edition piece. I have no idea if there is still any left, but you should check. Each piece comes framed in a backlit box. Rumors have it that FOOX will be doing a July seriers of 8 back x-rays with a spine painted on them.
“i hope i don’t get sick and need any more x-rays, according to my doctor, i am not allowed any more radiation”, says FOOX.
Check out more of FOOXE’s work here:
www.FOOX-U.com
“Sailor” Logan Hicks & Brooklyn Street Art
Brooklyn stencil artist Logan Hicks completed his largest stencil to date today on the streets of Brooklyn back in November of 09. The 30′ x 8′ image of his son Sailor playing with a train set is made with 5 layers of stencils and 150 stencil plates. Curated by BrooklynStreetArt.com for Espeis Outside Gallery, the mural was completed in about a day and a half. Here is the time lapse footage. Really amazing stuff!
PRISON INC
Prison Inc., group show exhibition curated by Gregg Stone, featuring a large collection of drawings created by incarcerated artists with letters from the artists. Additionally, Crewest officially opens a new “Featured Artist Room.” This new Featured Artist Room will feature monthly installations by featured artists selected by Crewest. Kicking off inside this new room, Crewest presents “Life Inside” a collaborative installation, directed under Edgar “OSOK” Hoill, featuring the creative works of Adrian Nieto, John Jarasa, Gregg Stone, Juan Sanchez Jr., Salim Assid Jr., Elena Dominguez, David Montes and Rafael Vasquez. Dedicated and inspired by the trying times of prison.
Exhibiting Artists:
Gregg Stone, Edgar “OSOK” Hoill, Kenny McDermott, J. Cheddah, Leno Delgado, William Woods, Klive Hulsey, Martin Bueno, Javier, Penko, Warlock, Oscar Campos, Adrian Nieto, John Jarasa, Juan Sanchez Jr., Salim Assid Jr., Elena Dominguez, David Montes and Rafael Vasquez.
This is exhibition will be open to the public till Feb 27, 2010. For more information check out Crewest, 110 Winston St., Los Angeles, CA
Links:
Artist of the Moment: Sea
Sea is a designer, illustrator, and painter based out of Italy.
Links:
www.seacreative.net
Alexandre Farto Aka Vhils: Empty Spaces
Alexandre Farto (aka Vhils) is a young artist from Lisbon, Portugal. Vhils is in his mid-twenties by now. His stencil work and street art has been catching the worlds eyes since the early age of 16. Over the years his work has evolved and been showcased in galleries and at festivals around the world.
“Generations meet and fall apart. Cultures are compelled to flow into big cities and gather there, the “Western bastion”, a world of dreamt opportunities that steals our roots, identity layers that overlap and are diluted, certain to create a new culture and to thin our essence, the path we want to follow is the one that leads us towards forgetting the place we came from…”
Links:
www.alexandrefarto.com
Exit Through The Gift Shop – A Banksy Film
Check out the trailer for ,Exit Through The Gift Shop, A Banksy Film. This is being shown at this years Sundance Film Festival.
