VESL STUDIOS

It’s on once again! New Leaf Clothing is proud to announce to you that their next big event is only weeks away. We have been told that they have poured out their hearts and emptied their pockets to bring you yet another solid line up of designs for the Fall Season. This event will kick off a promotional tour as they plan to make appearances at other hot spots through out the bay area. Be the first to see their latest designs and possibly win some great prizes. Live music? Free giveaways? Open bar? Need we say more?

We’re back for week two of the VESL poster series project. For those of you just tuning in, the VESL studios is expanding, and we thought it would be great to slowly introduce the team in a form of a freestyle exercise. Over the span of 5 weeks we will create 4 separate posters combining our 4 distinct styles. With minimal art direction, and just pure imagination, it’s interesting to see where these pieces are headed.

Erik x Ratha

Steve x Valerie

Valerie x Erik

Ratha x Steve

There is a new gallery in town, and its location is right down the street from VESL Studios. We are excited to see another new business open up on the block, but even more excited for our own Erik Otto who will be submitting a piece in the show. An awesome line up of some old school graffiti heads as well as some new emerging street art talents.

Erik finally had a moment between running around town to check out the recent show by Lydia Fong (aka Barry McGee) at Ratio 3 and brought back some photos from what he saw.  Unfortunately, he recently dropped his camera and busted its ability to focus, but through ghetto rigging and TLC he was able to somewhat bring it back to life thus creating a natural soft blur effect in the process.  We here at VESL are all big fans of McGee’s work, and we would like to share these photos with you - with or without the funky blur.

All work in the show was displayed in his signature “cluster” look.

Wacky video loop created with bits and pieces of Barry’s work.

His signature geometric patterns cluttered the walls from top to bottom in the back of the gallery.

entrance to smaller room.

This cluster highlights some of the new shapes and subject matter form the artist.

Loving the use of space.

We have seen a few shows from Barry McGee, but it’s always great to see the development in both his work and installations.  If you get the chance, stop by Ratio 3 to check this show out.  In the meantime, Erik will be fund raising to buy himself a new camera.

So there has been a lot going on back stage for VESL lately as I facilitate the project into phase 2 - building a team. As a kick-off assignment we are developing is a series of four 12×12 poster designs. The objective is to “define your VESL” and the rule is whoever starts it, finishes it, but in the mean time each member in the group gets 1 week each to add their twist to the working design. It’s a lesson in improv and a crash course to get us out of our comfort zones. We plan to show the progress every week, so please check back as we have no idea what will be the outcome of this collaboration.

Finished pieces from week 01.

Erik Otto

Steve Ha

Valerie Shagday

Ratha Nou

Check back next week for round 02.

Hey everyone.  Just got word that a good friend of mine (and future VESL activist) has launched his new online store.  For now, this store will operate as a speakeasy and through word of mouth.  Explore the artwork and analyze the details as well as the message.  If you like the goods then please support the establishment.

Welcome to the new FlavorInnovator Online Store!

www.flavorinnovator.com/store
Username: give
Password: thanks

FREE Bottle openers, stickers, flyers, buttons + other special surprises with every order!

Om Records has reached out to VESL STUDIOS artist, Erik Otto to custom design a vintage fisher price record player to celebrate J-Boogie’s new album, “Soul Vibrations”.  Purchase the album from Om Records (either digitally or physically) and be automatically entered to win this one-of-a-kind piece of art. Check back weekly as Erik will show us his progression in the project.

Inspired by the artwork from Erik Otto’s last show, The Sea of Change, this beautiful new addition just became available.  A mighty 6-color screen print on heavy weight paper printed by Nat Swope of Bloompress. Presenting…The Voyage.  Order yours online here.

Signed and number by the artist himsef in an addition of 100.

Shepard Fairey takes over SF! This weekend was a big one for art in San Francisco. So many things going on lately, and I am feeling a new sense of energy stirring. For me, I attended Shepard’s opening at White Walls and I was blown away by everything he had to offer. His ambition and drive is a big influence and most importantly, the messages in his artwork is something I stand for.

Leaving his mark around town prior to the big night. (photo courtesy: jeff luger)

Most of the artwork was created by collage, spray painting through stencils, and screen printing. More details when you get up close.

“Evolve Devolve” - one of my favorites for its simplicity.

“Lotus Ornament”

*opening night - day one*

“The Ripper”

detail of “Monkey Pod”

“Peace Tree” - screen print on brushed steel

We then all made our way to the Clift Hotel suite where SF hosted a late night private party with an open bar with drinks named after his artwork.

And the man himself provided all the beats. Thanks, Shep.

and yes, it was fancy.

*opening night - day two*
As anticipated, the crowd was huge and there was a line to get in.  Fairey’s artwork takes up the entire gallery and as well as the walls outside.  It was crazy to see how he made such a large gallery space seem so small.

The infamous Barack Obama piece

Off to the second after party - Party For Change @ MILK SF.
The place was packed and everyone was hype off Z-Trip’s set.  The entire night was dedicated to Obama - all proceeds were donated and this time Shepard did a live wheat paste piece where the image he created of Barack Obama was the final layer.

Good times were had.  No matter what your opinion is on the dude’s art, it’s a great feeling to have a young contemporary artists speaking boldy on what’s going on today’s world and creating artwork that is relevant to today’s generation.  Cheers to Shepard Fairey for captivating the crowds, keeping a level head from all his success, and creating a wonderful experience for a good cause.

-erikotto

Big things are happening in the little buiding located on 66 Sixth Street. Home of New Leaf Clothing, Erik Otto Studios, Gallery Three, and most recently, VESL Studios. From having a gallery, do we not only get to see our space completely change every month, but we get first hand exposure to the art world with every opening they do, so why not give our thanks and add to the exposure for the artists and their wonderful shows here.

opens : Saturday, SEP 6 // 6 - 10pm
on view : SEP 6 - OCT 1

Gallery Three
66 Sixth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

*update*

“Fog Bank” by Kevin E Taylor

detail shot of “Addawaityas Return”

Kevin even laid out real grass for the front area. Nice touch.

Another successful night. For more info on Gallery Three and their upcoming shows, tune in here.

-erikotto