Melrose - Perfect for Budding Artist

SportieLA kids store front. Photo by Brian White

Living in Los we are for fortunate to live in an environment that has art everywhere. I’m not talking about the Getty Museum, LACMA, and MOMA. Living in an urban community subjects us to a whole other side of art that is now becoming more appreciated: Street Art. The term street art is very broad and ranges from graffiti, stencils, posters, and even stickers and every other type of unconventional art on the street. If you’re not familiar with Melrose, it has about two miles worth of shops, cafes, and tattoo parlors with twice as much art draped on every building and sidewalk. The biggest example of this is the parking lot for Sportie LA, which holds some of the most impressive art pieces one can observe anytime or the first Thursday of each month at the event called Fame Fest.  The art ranges from 3D shading, political satire, and colorful trippy mazes. The parking lot is so influential the house behind it has three pieces that adorn the garage and even the driveway.

Posters using real car ads. Photo by Brian White

Melrose is the perfect place for the art revolution; the art is so different. Maybe you don’t agree with gun control, but you do love anything that has Batman wearing Versace shirts. Complimenting the ever-changing ink and paint of Melrose/LA, Sportie LA has shoes just as bold and rare as a Banksy piece, or some kicks just as subtle and fly as the stencils people walk over unknowingly.

Sportie LA demonstrates the sense of art and fashion LA has come to expect, and like the very culture that has resided within for almost 30 years. Who’s to say a graffiti art piece won’t become the next Picasso?

Melrose art isn't afraid to get political. Photo by Brian White

Matt Naylor- Making 3-D Look Good

Art pieces by Matt Naylor at FAMEFEST

Ever heard of Matt Naylor? He's a local LA artist who's brought a new style of 3-D art to the table. Working with artists such as Dita Von Teese and Marilyn Manson, he's branched out to create his own brand My IDEA. If you haven't seen his work, seriously check it out!



Christine: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?


Matt Naylor: I'm a self taught artist, photographer. I started in the early ninety's when i got sponsored for skateboarding. I lived in Los Angeles, traveled a lot and started dj-ing. For about ten years, I've been doing my photography, random graphics for companies like Fresh Jive, Stereo Skateboards, 60/40, and special requests for music videos, etc.


Christine: How did you become an artist? What were your inspirations?


Naylor: My dad is a fine painter, so I guess it's in the blood. Ever since I was a kid, I was doing little drawings. I hated my stuff but I guess that's how you learn.


Christine: Out of centuries of artists, who would you say inspired you?


Naylor: I loved Dali and Mati Klarwein- surreal art; the stuff that makes you think. And of course Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Mark Gonzales, and Haze.


Christine: You said you worked with Dita Von Teese, how was that?


Naylor: That was cooL! I was working for her ex Marilyn Manson as his art assistant. He asked me to shoot her. I think it was pretty rad because my photos of her were the most used photos on her websites and such.
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/3-questions-for-dita-von-teesehttp://pocketvenus.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/sk62002.jpg

Photography by Matt Naylor

Christine: Can you tell us more about your brand, My IDEA?


Naylor: My IDEA, is about putting everything I love and creating my own original ways to expand the images I make with more than just a print or framed piece.








Christine: What inspired you to make the really popular 3-D prints?


Naylor: When I draw my pieces this is how I see them. I found a way to bring it out for everyone. Its not just red / blue glasses... It's hard to put in words, people just have to experience for themselves.


Christine: What would be your favorite creation up to date?


Naylor: "Spotlight" which I did today. And the pieces I haven't made yet, I truly can't wait to see what I make in the future.

http://instagram.com/p/ZVMfswhjy1/


Christine: What are your plans for your future in terms of creating more art?


Naylor: To make a full interacting art show where its like a dream you're in but real life. I just got a book printed- but there's only one right now. So there will be more in the future.

For more information on Matt Naylor, check his work out on Instagram @fotoematt. For information on how to get an "My I-Depth Book" email Matt at ideamy5@gmail.com


UPDATE: You can now purchase Matt Naylor's new book, "Keep your EYE'S Peeled"!

Bringing Beauty To The Day of the Dead

Oil painting portrait by Carlos Nieto III 

  A couple of weeks ago I was at an art show downtown, and this art show had everything from body painting to live music to a pancake bar. As I was enjoying the atmosphere of creativity and free pancakes, I happened to walk by a guy who was painting Day of the Dead skulls onto people’s faces. Instantly, I needed to know more about him, he said his name is Carlos Nieto III.

Carlos Nieto III was born and raised in Silver Lake, CA by his Colombian parents, where he absorbed the rich Latino culture that is the Echo Park area. Nieto explained, “I grew up in LA with the Mexican culture, and it influenced me visually with its art and other cultural qualities.” It is easy to see the Latino roots in his oil paintings; the shadows and models bring the feel of early Los Angeles that now grace museums.  When I asked who inspired his art Nieto admits, “Definitely Alphonse Mucha—I just love how he portrayed feminine qualities in his portrait.”

Carlos Nieto III painting skulls onto peoples faces.  Photo by Brian White

He’s currently focusing on “mostly day of the dead right now, it grew on me. I had to learn and research what it was about, and I wanted to show the life, passion, and sensual side of it instead of the darker skeleton type of figure.” Its hard to envision Day of the Dead being be portrayed in a different light other than just death, but that’s what makes his artwork so appealing. Carlos is also really into volunteering, and has set up an Art Beat charity event for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles coming up this July.

Carlos Nieto III  website has a gallery of his artwork you can browse though and purchase. He will also be this year’s Ink & Iron Festival in Long Beach June 7-9th also while his band is set to play the infamous Roxy June 15th.

Woodcraft Rangers Celebrate 90 Years of Helping the Youth



A couple of Woodcraft Ranger kids painting on some Project C.A.N.V.A.S shoes

This past Wednesday, Woodcraft Rangers celebrated their 90-year anniversary of afterschool programs and betterment activities for youth in Los Angeles. The event was held Downtown and featured a silent auction including a couple of Project Canvas shoes and other cool prizes anyone could bid on with the help of Charity Buzz. Woodcraft Rangers also honored a couple of people with awards that reflect their caring and helpful values for the youth and community. The gala was hosted by Freaks and Geeks star Samm Levine, with special Co-Chairs Kyra Sedwick and Kevin Bacon. One of the award recipients included Gabourey Sidibe for being a Teen Inspiration.

Woodcraft Rangers was started in the 1920’s by Ernest Thompson Seton and focused on character building for children. Woodcraft Rangers is available for children and young adults ages 6 to 18. It helps promote school and self-discovery with tools like physical exercise, visual and performance art, science, and many more. Project Canvas has donated over 150 pair of shoes to students to use as blank canvases for their artwork.

Woodcraft Ranger have been supplying after school programs for nearly a century and it’s a blessing to have such a caring organization take a stake in our kids welfare and creative needs. Not only does the program fill the kid’s time with something helpful they can use in school, but it also keeps them out of unsafe activities that a child can easily get into. As Davontay Thomas of 99th Street Elementary School puts it, "If Woodcraft Rangers wasn't here at 99th Street, I don't think after-school time would be any fun. Most of the kids at Woodcraft would be in a gang, and gangsters aren't getting anywhere."

The auction goes on till May 22nd. You can bid here

Gabriel Marques - The Artist Behind the Graphics

Tucked behind the traffic of the performance stage was a small booth ran by Gabriel Marques, a local LA artist born and raised in Brazil. His works captivating the eyes of many; inspired mostly by pop culture references from the Walking Dead to different bands and musicians. It's hard to locate him in a crowd of attenders but once you get through, there lies countless images of beautiful, modern, and edgy art works. After meeting him and being in awe of what he has created, Sportie LA decided that this man needs to be heard! We conducted an online interview to get to know the artist behind the graphics.

Christine: So can you give us a short background of who you are and where you're from?

Gabriel Marques: I'm from Brazil and lived in Sao Paulo- one of the busiest cities in the world. I have always worked with illustration/ art and graduated with a degree in Graphic Design. Putting my work on hold, I came to Los Angeles to witness my best friend's wedding and be her best man. It's been 1 month and 2 weeks and I'm still here!

C: What inspired you to become an artist? Who were your inspirations?

Marques: I don't think I was inspired to become an artist- I was born one. Since I was young, I always liked to sketch, paint, and make a mess doing art. Throughout my life, I got inspired by many artists and some of them still inspires me to this day, such as Boris Vallejo, Salvador Dali, Leonardo DaVinci and many others.

C: Can you tel me a bit about what you brought to FameFest?

Marques: At FameFest, I had three different categories to display- TV Shows, Music Bands, and Personal Art. There's a brand in Brazil that makes t-shirts to see and I collaborated with them to put my design on it. And the others were my personal artworks. I was there with my friend, who is a clothing designer, so we decided to team up and show my art with her clothes!

C: From looking at your art work, it seems like you're a huge fan of the Walking Dead?

Marques: I can't say I'm a huge fan but I really like the show and I wouldn't miss one episode! The image I created for the Walking Dead, titled "I Heart The Walking Dead" was actually created by random. I was watching the show and thought, "maybe I could do an image of I heart Walking Dead but use zombies as the typography". I got out of my bed and a few hours later, the design was created. This one is my favorite and after posting it online, I started getting contacts asking about it, which was pretty cool! AMC even posted it on their Instagram!

C: That's amazing, congrats! What do you have in store for the future?

Marques: I have lived in a few places such as South Africa, Paris, Dublin and now LA- I like the fact that I can speak English which makes it easier. I love everything about LA and so far it's a nice place to live. Hopefully everything works out and I'll be able to move here. I'm currently looking for agencies to work as a graphic design in the entertainment business, so I'll need a Work VISA... Which is going to be a bit of a headache. I'm heading back to Brazil soon and I wish I would stay here! But when I get back, and the plan will start right away!

C: So aside from working and creating designs, what other hobbies do you like?

Marques: Aside from art, I like to sleep and eat. Before I came to LA, I had a crazy schedule for a year and worked a lot. So when I decided to come, I thought two things were important with my decision: be with my best friend on the most important day of her life, and renew my spirit and soul by travelling.


For more information on Gabriel Marques, please visit his portfolio at www.behance.net/mrgabrielmarques

SportieLA May 2013 FAMEFEST Success!

Free Moral Agents performing at FameFest
Source- Jourdan Alexandre Gallemore

Thank you to everyone who came out to our May 2013 FameFest! A special thanks to everyone who participated in Fame Fest, we are honored to have you guys be a part of our journey. We had a blast setting it up and having everyone out here to support us! I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did, being it was my first time there. There were music performances, fashion, art and of course the food trucks!

We had a lot of inquiries on when Fame Fest takes place and Fame Fest is set up every first Thursday of every month from 6pm to 10pm so come out, have fun, meet new people from all over Los Angeles, and of course get a chance to win some free sneakers!

This month's FF had many artists from GoodJob Gian to Free Moral Agents as well as artists such as Booleep, Jose Castillo, and Mr. Gabriel Marques!

Here are some artists that came out to FameFest!

Jimi Hendrix by Jose Castillo

Artworks by Spank.

Artworks by Mr. Gabriel Marques

Shout out to fellow intern Juan Sanchez Diaz and his successful art installation! And, a BIG shout out to Viral Punk TV for capturing the magic in this video with s sick soundtrack by Free Moral Agents!

Next month's FameFest artists, musicians, and booths will be announced in a few weeks so stick around and explore a part of what makes Los Angeles great!

Air Jordan 5 Retro "Grape" are Back!

The fresh Air Jordan "Grape" V'

For every fan of Michael Jordan there's a Air Jordan shoe that you love just as much as your favorite dunk or buzzer beater. For me personally I adorn the Air Jordan V (five) that were first released in 1990. They're just are what shoes are suppose to look like with the bold color choices, clear soles, and a reflective tongue to stand out even more.

Good news is that the slick Air Jordan V Retro "Grape" are back and these white, emerald and grape sneakers are a sight to behold. This edition of Air Jordan V's are equipped with hard leather that will take some time to crease. Nice detail in terms of comfort with a fluffy tongue and extra cushioning for the ankle. But unlike its predecessors this tongue is not reflective just a super shiny purple which still rocks.

So fresh and clean

I haven't bought many Air Jordan's but I've always wanted a few editions of the V 's its like this who doesn't want to look fly with the help of a shoe, let alone be able to ball up any takers while in supreme comfort? Yet, thanks to Sportie LA we all have the chance to re-up on a classic

Get Lucky

It's been more than ten years since Daft Punk's album release of  Discovery and a year since their collaboration with Disney on the Tron: Legacy's movie soundtrack. Daft Punk's new song "Get Lucky" featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers has been number one for two weeks straight. It's also been circulating that the song may be the Song of the Year. Which makes this a HUGE and strong comeback for the French electronic duo!

Daft Punk's new album, Random Access Memories, will be out May 21 so pre-order it now!

Speaking of getting lucky, don't forget that Sportie LA's Fame Fest is tomorrow at 6pm! Come and check out the different vendors available and get a lucky chance to win new merchandise! (No cover charge)

urbanPUJARRI FashionGasm preview

TIME for a visual revolution! Sportie LA continues to support the arts allowing me, Juan Sanchez Diaz, to release the Urbanpuja* (installation art/human fashion tableaux) the puja (Sanskrit for sacred space) is a blend of the senses and the anthropology of our times  I describe art as, "The mirror of man, the ego of the divine and fashion as spirit that is evoked by timing a collision of a morphing exoskeleton and the destiny of the human potential in space."
 
This work is ephemeral, a true moment in time which is meant to be experienced in person. Never the same. I function as alchemist and architect allowing the element of mystery to enter my process. The clothes the of objects can seems so abstract in the collision of an art installation, I simplify as 3 dimensional poetry. I find the people places and things but allow serendipity to create its  own story. I believe that is why my work is fashion the power to change the identity of a color or object is the spirit of fashion working its magic, the three last ingredients to my art are make-up , time, and people .

This month check out the mix at Fame Fest at the famous Sportie LA  graffiti lot off  Melrose. Pandoras box opens the May 2nd  from 6pm-10pm. I want to thank the Kieth Haring foundation, Reebok, and Asics. Erin and Alonso at Bauhausu Long Beach for wardrobe, Cradelle Swon White stylist Muze, Lawrence aka Spank, The MightyJunebug, Jason Villanueva, the entire cast of models and sculptors, Peter Phelps, Kat Jarvis, Danny Gamboa photography team and again Sportie LA for letting it happen! We invite all of L.A. to feast your eyes! Check out Limitless Light for more information.

Let Gian show you how to do a GOODJOB

                                   

 "GoodJob" Gian Castro is nothing short of dope. He spins and mixes sound in a blend of nostalgic beats, and remixes that take you back in time as you flash dance into the future. The underground dance culture is watching the rise of the Skurpty Circus with partners in crime Oh Jericho, and the Skurpty entourage as they inspire a new tone in dance and debauchery intuitive to the needs of their audience. Check-out GoodJob Gian and the Skurpty Circus on Facebook for the info on their regular party buses and other upcoming events. Join us this May 2 @ Fame Fest to see Gian throw it down at the famous Sportie LA  Lot where graffiti culture is becoming as volcanic as Studio 54. There will be good vibes and good music thanks to Goodjob....Gian that is!

GoodJob Gian opens for Shermanology. Source: Last Night's Elixir Photography