Unless you have been sleeping or only use www.1AMSF.com as your source of information, we are sure you have heard about the emergence of (supposed) Banksy’s throughout the city.  Great blogs like calibersf.com (follow Troy Holden‘s photos, he is always in the know) warholian.com, and laughingsquid.com have been really good at keeping us posted on the locations and discovery of these Banksy.  On our day off on Monday (the gallery is closed Sundays and Mondays), we decided to cruise the city and see these for ourselves.  Can we confirm that this are authentic Banksy?  No but it was fun searching for them.

Banksy on 9th and Howard. As of April 27th, this has already been messed around with by "Otter"(?).

Also this past weekend, Oaktownart.com, a blog devoted to photographing public art, stumbled upon an actual TrustoCorp sign in Berkeley.  TrustoCorp is known for putting up signs in public spaces depicting humor while also making a social commentary.  These hand-painted signs can be found blending in with public signs on street poles and if you are paying attention, it will force you to do a double take.  Also, if you want to own your very own TrustoCorp art piece to add to your collection, make sure that you are at 1:AM gallery on May 7th between 6-10pm for the opening of Graphic Attack!.  It is never before seen, new original work (does that even make any sense?).

TrustoCorp spotted in Berkeley by Oaktownart.com

So, the stars finally aligned.  The weather was really nice and sunny for two consecutive days that fell on a weekend, Mear One was attending another YBCA event in the Bay Area, and we were ready to have him get down.  With his buddies in tow, Roger Griffiths and Ricky, he got in to SF on Friday night, grubbed and proving his true dedication to the project, started the wall at 1:30am, Saturday morning.  He picked up again on Sunday morning at 7:30am after partying until the break of dawn (5:30) and gifted another amazing piece of work to the city of San Francisco by the afternoon.  This guy is a beast!

Mear One's initial sketch

Gorgeous female

Mear One's gift to San Francisco.

It turned out so f’in beautiful.  To watch this man at work is absolutely an experience.  Mear One sure knows how to handle a spray can and how to get people lost in his world.  When you see this piece of work, you too will be mesmerized.

It was a good week for street art in San Francisco.

We got an email from a gentleman named Shailesh from eBay’s User Experience design team.  He wanted to have his team, which consists of 25 people, learn more about graffiti.  Instead of taking his team to a, yawn, white elephant brunch, he wanted them to get down with the funk.  So, 1:AM responded by creating a customized graffiti workshop for them, that included history of graffiti, a mural walk tour, painting on the wall, and stenciling t-shirts.  Here are some pictures from the day:

Listening to Nate1 and Roman talk about graffiti

Of course defenestration is part of the mural walk!

Shailesh getting down!

Special treat for the eBay-ers, Mike "Bam" Tyau on site to drop some knowledge

Wall crazy!

Stenciling!

When they were told that they were allowed to paint on the wall, they just went for it and didn’t look back.  You can see the excitement in everyone’s eyes, so the teachers, Nate1 and Roman, stepped back and let them just go at it.  People painted hearts, Maneki Neko (good luck beckoning cats), Iron Maiden, Bart Simpson, letters and more.  The eBay-ers were such naturals at the wall.

Nate1 and Roman did a fantastic job teaching the eBay crew about graffiti.  We also had a special cameo appearance by Mike “Bam”.  The eBay-ers were lucky that they had all three of these guys dropping their knowledge on them.  We were grateful that Shailesh approached us to do this at 1:AM.  One of our goals as an urban and street gallery is to educate people about graffiti and dispel some of the negativity that surrounds this art form.   After the workshop was completed, I heard “Today was a good day” by Ice Cube playing in my head.  Indeed it was, a good day for the team from eBay and the crew at 1:AM.

eBay crew represent!

For more pictures, visit our flickr account.

If you are interested in our classes or group workshops, please email gina@1AMSF.com or visit www.1AMSF.com/classes/

Special thanks to Gina and Rocio for making this day happen!!!

At a tender age of 4 years old, his grandfather, also his first art teacher, taught him to do crafts.  He gave Carlos projects creating everything and anything, from earrings to Christmas decorations.  As a youth, he continued on his creative path by taking as many art classes as he could and graduating from FIDM in Los Angeles with a graphic design degree.  He draws  and paints his inspiration from his Mexican heritage, my garden, graffiti history, urban folklore, music, rustic design, his family and friends and his late grandfather, who started it all for him.

Didn’t know a truck driver had some style? Here are photos of Carlos’ work.  And yes, he was a truck driver.

Last day of “Eternal Sleep”.  It is all coming down on Friday, November 6th (1t around 7pm)!

"Abyss" by Vogue - He sprayed on metal and it is hard to get a good photo. Just come by the gallery and check it out yourself!

His Adidas custom at Shoebiz for "Don't Sweat the Technique: Kicks and Cans"

Vogue's winning pose for Estria's Invitational Graffiti Battle

We’ve got big ideas for Vogue in 2010.  Look out for him showcasing his amazing work in our future exhibitions.

If you are interested in his work, email info@1AMSF.com.

LAST DAYS to see Eternal Sleep at 1:AM gallery.  Ends this Friday, November 6th!

Lango has made his mark in the city.  His craftmanship is impeccable.  He transforms walls to look into mythical worlds.  Being sandwiched between two of his murals (one on the Defenestration building and the other on our 6th street wall), I have heard admirers give their “oooos” and “ahhhhs”, claiming his is their favorite.

We were extremely lucky when Lango agreed to exhibit in our anniversary show “Eternal Sleep”.   Different from the other artists, he interpreted the theme as a celebration of life.  Through this piece, he showed that not only has he mastered the art of spray painting creatures but also, as a well trained artist, boss in the usage of watercolors and ink to paint life.

Pictures from 1:AM’s “Eternal Sleep”:

Lango painting the 6th Street wall.

"Solitude" (the gold framed) by Lango still available at 1:AM.

Pictures of his street art:

Lango working the Defenestration wall.

The crowned monkey in Hayes Valley.

Lango’s art available at 1:AM gallery.  If you are interested or you know someone who is interested in his canvas, contact info@1AMSF.com.

Eternal Sleep at 1:AM gallery through November 6th!

Here are some pictures:

Photo courtesy of Mike “Bam” Tyau.  From L-R: Reuben Rude, Lango, Henry, Twick, Lily Black, Bam, DIA, Cameron, and King 157.

Lango working on a milk crate.

Two of 1:AM gallery’s teachers, Twick and Lily Black adding their flare.

Reuben Rude burning the midnight oil wheat pasting.

Cameron, director of City Crossroads next door to us, keepin’ his neighborhood fresh.

Mike “Bam” Tyau showing Irene some techniques.

Special thanks to Reuben Rude, Lango, Henry, Twick, Lily Black, Bam, DIA, Cameron, and King 157!  I will be sad to see this wall go.

For more photos, visit our flickr.

Eternal Sleep at 1:AM gallery through November 6th!

Mear's contribution to "Eternal Sleep"

Mear’s Bio:

There are artists who paint with the intention to be the best, or to make a ton of money, some to become famous, but MEAR questions the intention of each of his individual works, asking is this a worthy concept; and what is the outcome of such a work that speaks to the masses. This is an involved process in which MEAR’s hopes are to bridge a gap between what is common and that which isn’t. To raise a responsible conversation on the topic that is displayed, i.e. the painting. MEAR’s works are meant to bring the unseen mysteries locked with in our minds to the foreground as if to take part in a grand expose`. The question of how did we become, and why. To see through the illusion of our decrepit social condition and speak out with art as a weapon of mass liberation.

As intense as that seems this is the quest of MEAR’s life as an artist. MEAR sees himself as a messenger as well a spiritual warrior using his imagination as a communication device. MEAR has often said that life is like an elevator in which there are uncomfortable silences experienced by those on the ride. Usually we keep to our selves in a state of shame choosing not to speak. If MEAR walked into that same elevator with a canvas depicting the most explicit vision, almost everyone on that elevator would take part in a conversation around the piece. Conviction and Integrity are words that describe his process. No matter what vision MEAR transcribes through his imagination, there is the deep connection between his thoughts and feelings and the work which MEAR teaches as well as learns. This brings the concept of sharing and receiving into light and finds purpose as an artist.

Visit www.mearone.com.

CELEBRATE OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH US TONIGHT, FRIDAY OCT 16th!  “ETERNAL SLEEP” OPENING FROM 7-10pm!

Mark showing his style.

Mark’s Bio:

Mark Bode’s comics career has spanned over 30 years. His work follows a legacy built by his legendary father, Vaughn Bode, who has influenced the world of graffiti with his iconic style of comic art.

Mark’s work has appeared in published books and magazines such as Epic Illustrated, Heavy Metal, Penthouse, Hustler, and Juxtapoz. His comic work in the past years include Miami Mice, Cobalt 60, The Lizard of OZ, Gyro Comics, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #s 18, 32, and TMNT special Times Pipeline.

Mark is currently working on the second half of the Cobalt 60 saga for Dark Horse comics. Mark has sold his comic adaptation of Cobalt 60 to Universal Studios for a live action movie that starts production in 2009 by Director Zack Snyder of the movies Frank Miller’s “300″ and “Watchmen”.

http://www.markbode.com

CELEBRATE OUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH US TOMORROW, FRIDAY OCT 16th!  “ETERNAL SLEEP” OPENING FROM 7-10pm!

With approximately 2000+ people in attendance, Estria, Bam and the gang did a good job putting the event together.  We were lucky enough to be placed right by where Vogue and Katch were painting.  To have front row seats, watch these guys for 4 hours and see their vision unfold was awesome.  Armed with the word “Grow” and their imagination, here are pictures of the winning pieces:

1ST PLACE WINNER – Vogue

He killed it during the battle and our “Ode to the Spray Can” exhibition (sold every one of his canvases and he has gained fans for life).  He has become one of our favorite artists.  His street style is dope, his canvases are sick, and he is one chill cat.  OG representin’ all day.  We can’t wait to see what he has in stored for us in our anniversary show “Eternal Sleep“.

2ND PLACE WINNER – Katch

Katch is nasty… in a good way. Heralding from Hawaii, he brought some of the natural island flava with him when he battled.  We have one more of his pieces left (pictured below…he sold all of his other ones) from the “Ode to the Spray Can” show.  If you or you know someone who is interested, hit us up at info@1AMSF.com.

For more pictures of the battle, visit our flickr.

Check out Vogue’s latest works this Friday, October 16th at our “Eternal Sleep”  show!

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