I came across the art of Mitsy Avila Ovalles via the wonderful world of MySpace a few years back and I’ve been wanting to do a feature on her ever since.

Before I get into her art, I want to let you all know that this lady seriously has one of the most amazing MySpace pages in the history of MySpace pages. If you have yet to see it, check it out. I guarantee you’re never seen anything like it before (and if you have they’re probably biting her style!).

Mitsy’s fine art pieces are amazing end products of growing up in a Mexican household cemented in California soil. Her work, is layered with elements of Mexican pop culture, with references to JuanGa [the Mexican Elton John—only a lot more talented], pan dulce, Menudo, the LA Dodgers and numerous icons from novelas.

Viewed online, Mitsy’s work appears grimy in texture yet feminine in essence—a nice balance for a M.I.S.S. girl’s taste!

In her digital work, Mitsy’s female subjects are portrayed in bold colors and they are heels & kicks, bamboos, lips and a whole lotta hips yet she can flip it and draw a hard lookin’ E-40 or Eazy-E.

Here’s what Mitsy had to say, in a recent email exchange we had, about her plans for the near future:

I’ll be spending some winter months in Mexicali to paint for a group show come next March at FIFTY24SF, catch some baseball Caribbean series games and Mexicali “Soles” basketball games, spoil my ahijados [godsons] and eat some delicious Chinese food and Mariscos [Mexican seafood...yum!]. Oh! A friend and rad artist Shizu Saldamando recently hit me up about designing a Poketo wallet. She was asked to curate a series from various artists. I’m psyched about that because I’m not very resourceful so I’ve never had ANYTHING mass produced (not even like prints…oh I did have buttons once) anyway…yeah, so buy one once they come out so I don’t end up in the sad clearance rack (I don’t know when they’ll be printed up).

In the past, Poketo’s artist series of wallets have featured the art of Hannah Stouffer, Andrew Jeffrey Wright and Greg Lamarche, just to name a few, so this is a pretty exciting step for Mitsy and fans of her work! We’ll have her keep us posted about when those drop.

For now, check out Mitsy’s hand-written interview below and take a step into this artist’s world, after the jump!

Read the full story

Everyday this week, Upper Playground and Fifty24SF are hosting a different contest each day to win Obama Prints that are valued at $200 each. For today’s contest, 5 copies of the Alex Pardee Obama print are up for grabs. The print is signed and numbered out of 200. To win, go to Upper Playground’s Facebook page and retrieve a clue, then go to Fifty24SF’s Myspace page and retrieve another clue. Then, find the video on the Upper Playground video channel that matches the two clues and post the name of it on UP’s Facebook page discussion board. Sound complicated? It’s not. Go do it! Good Luck!!

Also, along with this contest, Upper Playground and Fifty24SF are hosting a weeklong art competition where you have the opportunity to submit your own Obama print to Fifty24SF. To do so post your print entry’s to the Fifty24SF Gallery Facebook “Fan Photos” section. The winner they choose will receive five different prints from UP’s Obama series of prints, and the winning art will be featured as UP’s and Fifty24SF’s profile pic on Myspace and Facebook for all of next week leading up to the election. Your 15 minutes may be almost here!

Sketchy Pad caught up with artist Kylan Larson. I am loving the below piece!!! Read the full interview here.

I know I should have told you earlier, but Digital Gravel is having the ill accelerating sale that gives you bigger discounts every day…the thing is, the longer you wait…the less likely the items you want are still gonna be there. Pick up ladies gear from Obey, In4mation, Upper Playground, Fifty24SF, Tens, Blood Is The New Black and many more. Sleep or don’t sleep…all I know is, your tee collection is looking kind of tired. Zingo baby!

Taking his ’80s skate influences, combined with wicked bold character illustration and plenty of clever punk rock irony D*Face has developed an artist style and street art system that is all his own.

Check out the D*Face interview on FecalFace.com and if you’re in the Bay Area, make sure to stop by Fifty24SF Gallery in SF. They’re running a show entitled RockFace D’Arm—a two-man exhibition of work by acclaimed, D*Face and Armsrock. It includes an installation, drawings & collage paper pieces. The show will be running from May 8 - May 29. More info below:

You don’t want to miss this one!! Tonight Upper Playground SF, in association with Fifty24SF present, "Show Me Your Heart", an exhibit featuring the works of world-renowned photographers, Estevan Oriol and Yasumasa Yonehara . The two have switched the subject matter that they photograph, where Estevan has photographed beautiful Japanese women and Yonehara, shooting beautiful Latinas! Get there early as this is guaranteed to be packed!

Fifty24SF, 248 Fillmore, SF, CA
Tonight 7pm-930pm

Upper Playground SF is throwing a book signing reception for Sam Flores ‘ new book this Saturday, December 16th. The reception will be from 4 - 6 p.m. at FIFTTY24SF 248 Fillmore Street, SF. A party will follow at John Collins Bar (21+) on Natomas Street, SF.

Don’t forget to check out Sam’s Solo: Water Under the Bridge.
It’s up till January 13th, 2007 at Whitewalls Gallery, 835 Larkin Street, SF.

Image & Info: Upper Playground

"415 SEDIMENTAL PROMISES" by Blaine Fontana
Upper Playground, in association with FIFTY24SF Gallery is pleased to present new works and the release of a new book, by artist Blaine Fontana .

FIFTY24SF gallery presents "415 Sedimental Promises"; a new collection of paintings created by Long Beach-based artist Blaine Fontana. The opening reception will also be the launching and signing of Blaine’s new book, Sedimental Promises. The new hard cover book is a 96-page overview of Fontana’s vibrant work. Fontana’s influences range from religious myths, worldly folklore, and current social dynamics. With each of his paintings, he seeks to engage in a special relationship with his audience. He pays great attention to the details and integrity of each piece, with the intent of stirring feelings, interactions, and memories with the viewer. Each of Fontana’s pieces is composed of a microcosm of stories, myths, and beliefs.

An opening reception for Blaine Fontana will be held Thursday,
December 7th from 7-9:30PM. San Francisco

information taken from FIFTY24SF.