In the latest Walrus TV artist feature by Upper Playground, German street artist Hera discusses everything from her childhood, to her views on art. Taking her name from the Greek Goddess Queen, she’s inspired by mythological creatures and the high drama of her namesake. Hera enjoys the disposable nature of street art because her tastes change from day to day. Each of her pieces is like her child and she tries to find “good homes” for them on the street. As you hear the artist speak about her craft, you see her painting one of her trademark pieces – half Bambi, half girl – a true expression of innocence.

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B.A.S.S. (BAY AREA SISTAH SOUND), the Bay Area’s Premier Lady DJ Crew, is rolling out the red carpet for the EVERLASTING BASS 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! It all goes down this Saturday, March 7th, 2009, at 330 Ritch in San Francisco featuring 10 of the Bay Area’s flyest Lady DJ’s.

More info on this event after the jump!

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Tonight FIFTY24SF Gallery presents 2 solo shows hosting the works of Anthony Lister and Greg.Craola.Simkins.

Magic Trick is a solo exhibition by Anthony Lister, a painter and installation artist born in Australia, and based in New York City. Anthony Lister’s creations are described as brilliant, broken and abstracted figural works depicting the darker side of both heroes and villains. His fractured renderings place them as imperfect and exaggerated, post-post-modern opposites to how they were conceived – as symbols of modernist humanism. Lister’s work is a reflection and interpretation of the constant bombardment of media, and its relationship with the viewer. His mixed media technique of utilizing various types of paint, from spray paint to watercolor to acrylics, gives his work a depth that has made him one of the most sought-after contemporary artists today.

Seeing Things is a solo exhibition by Greg.Craola.Simkins, a painter and illustrator based in Southern California.

Simkins began drawing at an early age and started doing graffiti under name Craola. Graffiti art became his impetus for creating and gave him the confidence to paint large works. In addition, it taught him perspective, color theory and further developed artistic skills, which later translated into his work with acrylics. His outlandish dreamt of characters are part of a fantasy sideshow, inspired by elements from pop culture, the old masters, nature, carnival kitsch and most importantly, a warped imagination. It is the careful weaving of these elements that makes Greg Simkins a sought after surrealist painter today.

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 5, 2009 from 7–9 P.M.
Address: 248 & 252 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94117

See you there!

2009 marks Upper Playground’s 10th Anniversary, and to celebrate the momentous achievement, Upper Playground has a year planned with tremendous giveaways and compelling collaborative projects. In the first of many valuable drawings slated for 2009, Upper Playground is giving away a Sam Flores painting, Flores y Zorro, valued at over $10,000. The painting is signed by Sam Flores, the dimensions are 6 feet by 4 feet and the medium is acrylic and spray paint on wood framed canvas. To enter, all you have to do is register your email at the top right corner of UpperPlayground.com. If you’re already signed up, then you are already entered – it’s that simple! Don’t forget to tell your friends. The contest is open for 2 weeks and a winner will be announced on Thursday, February 12th. For details, rules and more information please visit the feature on UpperPlayground.com.

In the spirit of thanking his fans, Sam Flores also created a series of 200 small illustrations and is offering them at a very affordable price. The drawings are framed and are on sale now only at the San Francisco Upper Playground store. The figurative drawings give a glimpse into how Sam develops his characters and pieces and are not only unique, but are affordable so that his young fans can have the opportunity to purchase his art. Read the full story to see the small pieces.
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M.I.S.S. Toofly was interviewed for a feature on Upper Playground’s online magazine, The Citrus Report. She talks about the difference and the pros/cons of learning in the streets versus learning in art school. She and Alice Mizrachi, her partner and co-founder of The Younity, also tell us about why they started The Younity and the big plans they have for 2009.  As one of M.I.S.S.’s original members and first cover artist, Toofly definitely has a special place in our hearts.  She continues to bring the ladies together through her art and we love her for it!  Read the interview feature here.

FIFTY24SF Gallery has 2 great shows opening TONIGHT featuring new drawings and paintings by Ron English and Alex Pardee. Ron English is a master at taking pop cultural icons and adding his social commentary.  His twisted personality comes through in all of his pieces and I can’t wait to see his work up close and personal.  He had a show a few months back at another SF gallery, but alas, it was raining that night and I was too lazy to go (boo!), but I’ll definitely be there tonight!  I’m also excited to see Alex Pardee’s work:  Inspired by horror movies, his work is always eerie, yet humourous.  This show is no different.  He’s portraying and showcasing “Letters From Digested Children” - kids kidnapped by monsters and their SOS letters.  He’s even got the missing person’s posters to go with it.  Stay tuned for pics from the show if you can’t make it.  Details about the shows, and artists, after the jump.

FIFTY24SF Gallery
248 & 252 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Opening Reception: Tonight, 7 to 9 PM

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Painting by Miss Van

Tonight is an exciting night for art lovers in San Francisco because we have two great openings at FIFTY24SF Gallery - Miss Van and Jeremy Fish.  Many of you know Miss Van and her infamous globe-trotting “poupees” with their iconic doe eyes, pouty lips and taunting gazes.  With each show, Miss Van places her poupees in different settings and this show is no different.  “Still a Little Magic,” Miss Van’s newest undertaking, takes us under the bit top tents into the world of masks and charade.  Miss Van is showing at the downstairs gallery of FIFTY24SF.

Jeremy Fish’s show, “Ghosts of the Barbary Coast,” takes us on a visual history of San Francisco.  Using the adventurers who chased their dreams to San Francisco during the California Gold Rush as an inspiration, Jeremy Fish weaves a tale of mischief and mayhem through 35 new pieces including paintings, illustrations and woodworking projects from Indonesia.  Jeremy Fish is showing at the upstairs gallery of FIFTY24SF.  Also, check out these great video interviews Jeremy did:  A studio tour/interview with Fecal Face (view after the jump) and a cooking session with celebrity Chef Chris Cosentino.

Miss Van and Jeremy Fish are two of my favorite artists and I can’t wait to see these shows tonight!  See you there!

FIFTY24SF Gallery, a division of Upper Playground
248 & 252 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Miss Van & Jeremy Fish - The artists taking a break.
Images
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Yes, history has already been made, but that is no reason to quit displaying your support for our new President-elect. Show your pride and stock up on your favorite Obama gear. Digital Gravel’s got a gangload of fantastic designs from the artists in the Upper Playground stable, to brands like Hoodman, Ropeadope, Ludwig, Dopeboy, and Enstrumental. Men’s and women’s gear available, and flying out the door. Pride on with your bad self.

Paul Insect’s IDEA OF FREEDOM opens tomorrow night at FIFTY24SF Gallery and it’s one of the biggest, most anticipated shows to date.  IDEA OF FREEDOM is a solo exhibition from London’s Paul Insect, one of cult arts most recognizable and renowned artists.  The opening reception is tomorrow night, Thursday, 11.6 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. You won’t want to miss this, the show is amazing and Paul Insect is selling prints made exclusively for this show.

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Read more about Paul Insect and see more images of Paul signing prints and how he’s been making his mark in SF while he’s bee in town after the jump . . .

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Detail of work by Alex Pardee

Alex Pardee is an artist heavily influenced by the gore and goop of horror flicks from the 1970s and 80s. He’s done album artwork and worked with Upper Playground on a series of products including art, t-shirts, hoodies, prints, bandanas, skate decks and a book, Awful Homesick. Last week we attended the release party and art show of Alex Pardee’s Night of the Treeple collection that he designed for Hurley. The party/exhibition was held at On Six Gallery at Club 6 and featured the art of Alex Pardee, as well as a host of other artists interpreting Pardee’s “Treeple,”  including Skinner, Jon Dragonette, Robert Bowen and Sam Kieth.  Pardees’ work was frightful and eerie in a beautiful way, and the timing of the launch of the collection, with Halloween around the corner, was perfect.  Another standout from the show was the photographs of Jon Dragonette.  Two of the three photos were self-portraits and he actually handcrafted the masks and props used in all the shots.  The photos were large scale and he really brought Pardee’s “Treeple” to life.  Check out more pictures from the event and the “trailer” after the jump.

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