Bay Area artist, Mike Shine, has earned a reputation for his Art Shacks sprouting up in galleries and museums across the nation. Each is modeled after his own residence in Bolinas, a tiny beach town just north of San Francisco where Mike has created the ultimate artistic environment. Each wall is covered in murals, paintings on driftwood, and hand painted signs to compliment an array of vintage accessories. The heart of this Art Shack is the central table where the family eats, draws, paints, and spends time together.

Mike first built a replicate Art Shack for the Museum of Craft and Folk Art exhibition titled Inside/Outside. A second replica was built in our very owm booth at Aqua Art Miami earlier this month, although this shack was a true miniature. With the help of three strong men, Mike overcame restraints of space and time to finish installing just minutes before the opening reception. Every fair-goer to pass by our booth indulged in the prime photo shoot backdrop while others lingered to explore the shack’s interactive environment. Continue below for pictures of the installation, which shall be recreated yet again for SFMOMA’s Artists Gallery Mobile Exhibition in January 2010.

More photos:

The Original Art Shack in Bolinas

Aqua Art Miami on Flickr

White Walls Aqua Art Exhibition

Gallery Three Presents:

Mark Warren Jacques, Timothy Karpinski and Nas Chompas

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 9, 2010, from 7-11pm.

Through: January 30, 2010 and open to the public.

Gallery Three is proud to present Mark Warren Jacques, Timothy Karpinski and Nas Chompas this January. These three Portland based artists combine distinctive designs and mediums with a common stream of consciousness. Their collections of new works convey extremely personal artistic directions. Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, January 9^th 2009 from 7-11pm.

About the Artists

Mark Warren Jacques’ world of shapes and lines transfer his core energies, emotion and thoughts in a connected abstraction. People, ideas and feelings are represented as triangles and circles. His ink and acrylic pieces are loose and very aesthetic working with a happy color palette (depending on his mood) and concentrating on composition.

Mark Warren Jacques shows across the country and is a partner of Together Gallery in Portland, OR. He spent a short period of time at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, OH, but left to study under painter John Piper. During his apprenticeship, Jacques learned the technical side of art, but more importantly, he learned how life is reflected through visual expression.

Timothy Karpinski’s works on paper and wood portrays charming childhood experiences and playful moments. He creates delicate, vintage looking pieces with pleasant pastel colors that effectively whisk the viewer to a place where the heart is full of joy and imagination. His work incorporates painting, drawing, hand-sewn detailing, layering of materials and even wood works. Every piece of art is a direct reflection of his fascination with love, struggle and understanding.

Timthy Karpinski received his BFA in graphic design and painting from Castleton State College in Vermont. He has exhibited in galleries such as Thinkspace Gallery in LA, Together Gallery in Portland, and at Aqua Wyndwood Art Fair in Miami.

Nas Chompas art embodies an earthy spirituality and organic quality often representing inspiration from childhood fables. He paints with gouache on paper, deliberately integrating fine line work and attention to detail, creating greater depth and composition. While woodsmen linger in the natural scenery, industrial structures such as windmills and barns appear a bit crooked, abandoned and covered in moss. His works disregard size orientation providing a world of magical giants and folklore to the viewer.

Nas Chompas continues to grow in his artistic career. When not touring with his band called The Nurses, he spends his time drawing and painting. He’s exhibited with group shows throughout Portland and in galleries such as Soldier Design in Cambridge, MA, and Gallery Six in San Francisco.

Please join us for the opening of three very ambitious artists at Gallery Three on Saturday, January 9th 2009 from 7-11pm. This exhibition will be on display through January 30^th and is open to the public.

Sentimental Journey

New Works by Jesse Hazelip

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 9th, 2010, from 7-11pm.

Through: January 30th, 2010 and open to the public.

White Walls is proud to present Sentimental Journey, new works by Jesse Hazelip. Sentimental Journey is a human exploration of death and the lessons ignored throughout North American history. Please join us for the opening reception on Saturday, January 9 2010, from 7-11pm.

World War II greatly influenced this series, where buffalos are named after actual 1950s Bomber airplanes and beautiful Herons are rendered half machine gun, half bird. Jesse uses these animals to open a dialogue about the repeating mistakes of American history. Just as our carelessness have forced bison, an American icon, to the brink of extinction; so has war almost destroyed our country. The Heron is also fused with WWII artillery, although its message differs. This greedy bird is solitary from the flock just as Americans are closed off to their own neighbors. By using recognizable images, Hazelip hopes to reach a larger audience by making his work approachable yet thought provoking.

On a large wooden wall covered in discarded materials, Hazelip works with acrylic, printmaking techniques, and spray paint. On the wall, a mural and large wheat pasted images of the Heron and Buffalo loom over the viewer commenting on the mistakes of our past seemingly ignored by the actions of the present.

Jesse Hazelip was born in 1977 and raised in the mountain desert town of Cortez, CO amidst Navajo and Ute Nation territory. At the age of 14 he relocated to Santa Barbara, CA: an environment vastly different from that of his childhood. It was there that Hazelip took root in the world of graffiti. Through involvement with this underground sub-culture, Hazelip gained an aesthetic and technique that is woven into his artwork alongside the landscape and history of his childhood. Hazelip received his BFA from Art Center College of Design and currently works and resides in Oakland, CA. As a commercial illustrator, he has worked with clients such as Converse, Christian Audigier, Mishka NYC, and National Forest Design. Hazelip has shown extensively at galleries throughout California and his work resides in numerous private collections.

The opening reception of Jesse Hazelip’s Sentimental Journey at White Walls Gallery begins on Saturday, January 9, 2010 from 7-11pm. The exhibit will be on display till January 30, 2010 and is open to the public.

The opening for Winter Group Show was a great time with artists like Aaron Nagel, Timothy Karpinski, Mark Warren Jacques, Mike Giant, Casey Gray, Ernesto Yerena, Ramblin Worker, Philip Lumbang, and Robert Burden in the house. Below are a few flicks from the evening.

Mark Warren Jacques

Timothy Karpinksi

Aaron Nagel with “The Call”

Philip Lumbang and Ernesto Yerena

Robert Burden

Leigh Cooper with friends

Ramblin Worker with friends

Justin Giarla with Thomas Campbell and friend

Thank you to everyone who came out! For more pictures from all three galleries, check out our flickr page. Be sure to come by the gallery before January 2, 2010 to catch Winter Group Show or view it online here.

In anticipation of Sweatin’ to tha Oldies

Opening Saturday, December 12th, 2009

As one approaches the stairs to Gallery Three, a sweet-ish love poem comes into view. Ascending down the staircase is a lyrical story about a boy and the love lessons learned through oldies music. Tinsel and gold roses guide one up to Gallery Three, where a disco ballroom awaits. Records and more tinsel hang from the ceiling in a transformed environment that put some groove into your step. From the walls, dozens of seductive ladies beckon with attitude, and you know you’ve stepped into the world of Fanee.

Favorite Disney movie?

I really don’t pay much attention to what Disney has put out lately. Even back in the day my sister and I would fight over whether to watch Dumbo or Olivia Newton-John videos. Guess I was never much of a Disney fan. I did like Robin Hood though.

Where can we usually find you on a Friday night?

Heheh….feelin good, in my room listening to music and either drawing, having a dance-party-of-one, painting a set of nails, making jewelry, sewing, or daydreaming about my latest victim of infatuation. I usually only go out for special events.

After living in New York and Chicago, what brought you out to SF?

My sister (my only friend in SF at the time), Mr. Henry Lewis, “opportunity,” and better weather.

Who are your favorite artists in the city?

I really love and respect work by Mike Davis. The other favs aren’t in SF (most of them are in LA). I might be forgetting a major art boner of mine and will cry about missing the “shout out” opportunity later.

Favorite spot to grab a bite in San Francisco?

That’s tough. I have many favorites. Pizza Zone is definitely for the grabbing when I’m on the hustle.

Where do you gather the photographs on which you draw?

Heheheh…. I know where you’re going with this. Currently most images come from adult mags, but some come from men’s magazines and fashion mags.

How do you begin the process of transforming these images?

I choose women who strike me as powerful or sad depending on my mood. I start out with an outline, clown makeup, nails, and extensions.

How do you decide what text to use with each piece?

I twist up song lyrics with my thoughts, usually manipulating them to suite that moment. Sometimes I’ll mix in some Spanglish or French.

Are you supportive or critical of the porn industry?

You know, I used to think that I was supportive until I read an interview with Jim Powers. Put it this way, I don’t dig misogyny, but I support sexuality and pornography produced and directed by women. Jenna Jameson is ok in my book.

When you alter pornographic images, how does this influence their meaning and significance?

I think if you asked a room full of people that, they would each come up with a slightly different answer. I’m trying to get the viewer to ask themselves that same question.

I think adding clothes and the details actually makes the girls look sexier. I try to make these porn stars and models seem more down to earth so that the viewer can relate.

There’s so much sexual imagery used in art, for shock value or filler, but I’m wondering “what if these women suddenly switched roles?” What if you were watching a porn and the girl shoved the guy off and started a monologue! Now THAT’S what I’m interested in! There’s a difference between an attractive person and an attractive mind!

Your pieces are full of written messages. Does the text reflect the woman’s true thoughts or those that are projected on her by outside sources?

It depends. Some are true. Some are tongue-in-cheek. It’s tricky, I recently decorated a going away party with a lot of the same type of humor and I think it went over some heads. Needless to say, those heads don’t talk to me now. Oooopsss!

What other artistic outlets do you have besides drawing?

I really want to get into video, live performance, and photography again.

Does your new exhibition comment on love and relationships?

Hell yeah it does. I’m pretty transparent.

How do the women in your drawings feel about men?

They absolutely love them!

How is Sweatin’ to tha Oldies different than any show you’ve had before?

I worked really hard on getting into character by listening to oldies for six months straight. I really managed to open my heart and mind to the possibility of falling in love, and quieted my fears. There was an individual whom I kept in my thoughts while making work for the show. I guess the main difference is that this show is heartfelt. The last solo show was crotchfelt. I hope people pick up on that.

To get the full story, come by Gallery Three this Saturday, December 12th from 7-11pm for the opening reception of Sweatin’ to tha Oldies (on view through January 2, 2010).

Check out more pictures of Fanee installing on our flickr page.

This month we were pleased to present the artwork of Jesse Hazelip for the first time at Miami’s Aqua Wynwood Art Fair. Coming up in January 2010 you will also find him featured in High Fructose Magazine and holding a solo exhibit at White Walls. This Oakland based artist has been showing up on walls around the nation with a message for us all, though you might not understand its full breadth. His technique and imagery raise questions, and we have answers. Jesse gave us a detailed breakdown of two images commonly used in his fine art and wheat paste works, making them all the more meaningful. Read below for the inside scoop on Hazelip’s bombers and buffaloes.

The Great Blue Heron In the words of Jesse, “The Heron are known to be solitary birds, and prefer being alone so they won’t have to share their meals. I think that Americans resemble these traits, and we are becoming less inviting as we cut ourselves off from the flock. We are literally building walls to separate us from our neighbors.”

Next, the American Bison references the heart of North America. It is a symbol of our heritage, our homeland, and what we have destroyed. Although this beautiful and amazing animal once roamed the North American grassland in massive quantity, buffaloes are almost extinct due to our carelessness. The bomber points out our failures as a nation, especially relating to war. Jesse mentioned that in WWII we almost completely destroyed ourselves with nuclear weapons, yet we continue to go to war. By not learning from our mistakes, America is driving down a road of self destruction.

Miami, FL (also covered at Bombit)

Telegraph @ Ashby in Berkeley

Telegraph @ Ashby in Berkeley

If you enjoyed this introduction be sure to view Jesse Hazlip’s work in person on January 9th, 2009 at White Walls.

Today marks the opening of Aqua Art Miami: a three day art fair showcasing the latest and the greatest in contemporary art. White Walls occupies Booth 50 with a group exhibition of our favorite artists. Some have shown with us for years while others are new to the family, including:

AJ Fosik, Aaron Nagel, Becca, Casey Gray, Ernesto Yerena, Greg Gossel, Jesse Hazelip, Jessica Hess, Kevin Cyr, Mark Warren Jacques, Mike Shine, Morgan Slade, Nas Chompas, Ron English, Shawn Barber, Isabel Samaras, Timothy Karpinski, Kill Pixie, Lucas Soi, and Erik Foss

Scroll down for a few highlights from the show and check out our official Aqua page for the full exhibition.

Casey Gray

Nas Chompas

Kill Pixie

Mark Warren Jacques

Aaron Nagel

Timothy Karpinski

Kevin Cyr

Kevin Cyr

Ron English

Lucas Soi

As of 5am yesterday morning, the White Walls crew has temporarily relocated to Miami, Florida. The Aqua Wynwood art fair opens this Thursday, December 3rd, where you can find White Walls at Booth 50. Check out the official lineup:

White Walls in Booth 50:

AJ Fosik, Aaron Nagel, Becca, Casey Gray, Ernesto Yerena, Greg Gossel, Jesse Hazelip, Jessica Hess, Kevin Cyr, Mark Warren Jacques, Mike Shine, Morgan Slade, Nas Chompas, Ron English, Shawn Barber, Isabel Samaras, Timothy Karpinski, Kill Pixie, Lucas Soi, and Erik Foss

View exhibition online

Scroll down to see the large scale installations that Mike Shine and AJ Fosik have been working on while we hang this three day exhibition.

Even in the tightest of quarters, Mike Shine has managed to construct his signature “Art Shack” with the help of his sons and friends. The structure is solidly in place, but we all know that’s only half the battle. We anticipate long hours of painting the walls, inside and out, from Mr. Shine before the fair opens tomorrow.

Mike Shine isn’t the only artist putting his best foot forward this December. Just outside of Booth 50 near the fair entrance, AJ Fosik has installed one of his most intricate works to date. The brightly colored, three snouted creature is one of his strongest pieces of the year, if you ask us.

We are also happy to have Morgan Slade, Casey Gray, Aaron Nagel, Ramblin Worker, and Jesse Hazelip in Miami with us. We appreciate their efforts to be here, showing devotion to their craft and support of the gallery. Stay tuned for updates and we hope to see you in Miami this week!

Throughout the length of Steve Powers’ current show at White Walls, several gallery visitors have asked if he is a professional sign painter. This excerpt from Steve’s A Love Letter for You blog breaks down his shift from graffiti to sign painting, with a tinge of his usual humor.

After I stopped writing my name on stuff, I made a lateral move into sign painting. The materials were essentially the same, (enamel on metal), the colors were similar, (bold and garish are best) but the effect was totally different. When you paint graffiti, you are an outsider that is broadcasting your signal to the center of the community. When you paint a sign, you are broadcasting from the center of the community to the periphery. Graffiti is a youth testing out a microphone, Signs speak into the mike eloquently and with authority. Even as a teenager I could see a huge difference in how my work was perceived versus the painted signs that commanded respect.

There is an amazing painted sign tradition that permeates the landscape of West Philadelphia. I’ll be adding many more pictures in time, but look at these and see the direction we’re going to take this project. We’ll be reviving the dead arts of sign painting and wall-writing; The bricks were painted 40-80 years ago and they remind us that West Philly was a powerful place of mercantile style and industrial might, and could be again. The rents are certainly right, the community is certainly ready. -ESPO, A Love Letter for You

This Saturday, December 5th is your last chance to catch ESPO’s current show hanging at White Walls Gallery. Trust us, the smell of Steve’s tire pyramid makes for a multi-sensory experience that can’t be missed.

Check out more event photos at flickr.