Living Life with No Regrets! Ben NAZ

We just received artwork for the Hello World art show from Ben NAZ of the UK, and the energy of having this in our hands right now is so overwhelming, we had to share it with you. This is a special moment for us as Ben is truly living his mantra of "Live Life with No Regrets" and continuing to create art and share his vision with the world while undergoing an extremely tough battle with cancer.

Including Ben NAZ's work is especially close to our hearts, because our own curator, Luna George, has just overcome the same battle and emerged to share her own vision of art and community with the world. "I feel a special connection with Ben and his work, because in the last year, it was almost like we were cancer buddies together, providing support for each other in a really difficult time. It is unbelievable how hard it is to continue to create and stay connected when you feel so sick. I am so humbled and honored to have Ben's work in the show, and it feels amazing to hold it in my hands right now. I can't wait to share it with you."

FULL ARTIST BIO:

Ben NAZ is a Filipino-French street artist and one of the most recognized street artists in the Philippines. Born in Strasbourg, France in the late 70’s by a Filipino father and a French mother, Ben NAZ migrated back to the Philippines on the early 80’s during the heavy political outcry there.

Branded as "Manilla's Finest," Ben NAZ's dramatic, political scenes and heart breaking stencil works captured attention almost immediately. Depicting a struggle between the rich and the poor, deep-rooted and emotional images characterize eye-opening scenery to the people of the Philippines.

Ben NAZ was instrumental in getting the political message out in Manila at a time when all street art was considered propaganda by the rightist/rebels, and when he left the Philippines and went back to Europe to continue his career as a guerrilla street artist, he started placing his works on the walls of London and Paris to showcase the real political outcry of the Filipino people.

Embroderies Hardest, Alaina Varrone

Embroidery, something that could very well considered soft and delicate, but what happens when images of girls with axes, girls in coffins and nudity is embroidered?  Embroidery artist Alaina Varrone does just that.  Which is EXACTLY why she is one of the exhibiting artists of HELLO WORLD.  Because seriously...hello world..check this out.  Explore her art and see her mind and realize how cool her concepts really are.

Alaina Varrone is an embroidery artist from New Haven,Connecticut and will be showing her artwork for the upcoming Hello World exhibit opening on April 20, 2013 at The Service Station in Los Feliz.  Born in 1982 to a family of weirdos and storytellers, she uses this to guide her creativity to tell her own stories using embroidery.  She is influences by history, culture and the esoteric, with a focus on strong female characters. 

Welcome to her kingdom...

 

Please join us, April 20, 2013 for the opening of HELLO WORLD featuring artwork by Alaina Varrone and many other talented artists for everyone to explore.  

Fiber Fresh and Yu Cotton-Well

Hello World explores a vast array of talent including that of fiber artists.  From cross stitching, crocheting, embroidery, knitting and more...fiber artists in this show are edgy, fun and full of passion for their craft.  

Yu Cotton-well, a Hello World exhibiting artist, uses fiber as her main medium and often blends it with ordinary objects to connect the relationship between her personal life and her artwork, and also to appeal the audience with a message which is always hidden under anyone's everyday life. Her subject matters often deal with social, political, and cultural issues, but from a domestic perspective, which makes it easier for the audiences to understand and relate them to their own personal experiences. Cotton-well wishes to capture those moments in life where we pause and look inward to reflect our home, root, and even a scent from our childhood because she strongly believes that being aware of our root is an indispensable element for us to make a change in the world that we live in.

Here are some images of some exceptional work by Yu Cotten-well, enjoy and stay tuned for more...

Art Spotted: Ekose22

Last year Ekose22's artwork was spotted by curator, Luna George. "I was really blown away when I saw Eskose22's work.  I was like where have you been?" says Luna. Immediately Ekose22 became an artist Luna kept close, waiting for an opportunity to show his work to a wider audience. 

Now...after months passing, that opportunity is here and Ekose22's work will be on display during the upcoming exhibit "Hello World" curated by Luna George.  "I am so excited that this opportunity is finally here and I will be able to share this talent with others.  Ekose22's work is a must see and I hope that more people will enjoy his solid skill like I did the first time I laid eyes on it" Luna reports. 

Here is a look at the creative process of the making of "Visitors of the Iron Gallery" by Ekose22 which will be on display for the Hello World exhibit.

 

In the first stage, Ekose22 allows the piece to move around and come to life.

Characters, monsters and letters place themselves on the canvas.

 His base color for this piece...purple

 Monsters appear on a regular basis in Ekose22's work

 Every piece he creates always has a balance of some sort of positive and negative.

 As the piece nears his last layer a story is told, gems appear and the end result is completely unique.  Please stay tuned for images of the the final piece which will be on display at Hello World which opens April 20, 2013 at The Service Station in Los Feliz. 

WIP by Inge Vandormael

Very very important, as curator of HELLO WORLD, to show everyone the progress shots of the work being created and shared by the exhibiting artists.  With that being said...special WIP by exhibiting artist Inge Vandormael and her awesome pen and ink work.  Can't wait to see her piece continue to come to life.

An Artist's Story by SEL

As a little boy I remember having these images in my head but I could never find them in any books or magazines so I would draw them. Dinosaurs fighting SWAT teams, spaceship race-cars , that kind of thing. I guess that's how I started drawing.

I was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California. It's a very diverse part of Los Angeles where I found myself surrounded by a wide range of cultures and scenes that have been a big influence in my work. Like a lot of kids the skateboard was often my mode of transportation but instead of learning new tricks I would have my board flipped over copying the cool graphics I found on the bottom. Being from the West Side the skate decks were usually Dog Town brandishing a Wes Humpston design. While at school instead of doing my assignments I would usually be sketching in class trading drawing techniques with the Cholos. I would teach them skulls and they would show me there lettering style.

In my early teens I got into the L.A. punk scene and would hand draw gig flyers, t-shirt and sticker designs for the local punk bands. Artists like Pushead, Shawn Kerri and RxCx (Ric Clayton) who did all of the art for the band Suicidal Tendencies where a big influence on me. I even drew a few custom Suicidal shirts for some of the local boys back in the day.

Entering high school I discovered the book Subway Art, a groundbreaking book documenting the work of New York graffiti writers. I was amazed by all the bold colors, line work and movement within the letters it had me mesmerized. Immediately I began working on my own lettering styles and characters, and eventually progressed to putting my outlines up on walls. Soon after I met other writers and went on to 
join the West Coast Artists (WCA) crew, one of the seminal graffiti crews in Los Angeles. The graffiti movement was just starting in L.A. and I had the honor of painting along side graffiti legends Rival, P-Jay, Miner, Risk, Pyro, and Wisk to name a few and have a few of my pieces in the book History of Los Angeles Graffiti.

From my early graffiti/street graphics roots I branched out into graphic design and art direction working with the music industry creating CD packaging, marketing materials and as of late designing platinum sales awards for artists Eminem, Nicki Minaj and the Foo Fighters.

Currently, I have been focusing on my personal art work using all the techniques, inspiration and lessons my life has taught me through the years. Good or bad it has all lead me this chapter in my life where I am today and I couldn't be happier.

I still see images in my head but now they are through the eyes of the grown man that learned to channel all that angst in a positive way.

SEL is an exhibiting artist in HELLO WORLD and will be presenting some very beautiful work.  Here is a little sneak peak into his creation process:

For questions regarding SEL, please email curator Luna George at lunacrewest [at] gmail dot com.

 

Meet Resident Artist: MEEX ONE

Meex One has been involved with the graffiti art movement since the age of 15 and continues to explore and define his own unique statement and style through his work.  So very proud to announce Meex One as the official resident artist at the Service Station who will be working on and releasing special installations and artwork in each show presented from this point forward, starting with HELLO WORLD opening on April 20, 2013. 

For HELLO WORLD, Meex One will unveil an installation inspired by the style of Keith Haring.  Meex will be completely taking over an entire shipping container and utilizing every inch, again, something to not miss. 

Here are some pics of Meex One and his work. 

 

For more questions, please email curator, Luna George, at lunacrewest [at] gmail dot com.

Dave Mac Dowell, Mural, What?

Are you hearing correctly?  Dave Mac Dowell is painting a mural?  Is this true?  How?  When? 

Ladies and gentlemen, this is such exciting news.  It really is.  And a true honor.  Dave Mac Dowell will be painting his very first mural in collaboration with Van Saro and John Park.  This mural is to be unveiled on April 20, 2013. 

Dave Mac Dowell is a mad man on canvas.  He's been knocking out some of the most complex paintings one after another. 

It is now time for Dave to go LARGE and hit the walls with his creativity.  We are so looking forward to Dave's creation for this upcoming mural.  Fan's and collectors for the first time ever will be given the opportunity to see Dave live and in action painting on April 20, 2013 at the HELLO WORLD opening event at The Service Station.  This will be something not to miss. 

 

Hello World Event Page

Please click here for the official event page for the Hello World art exhibit and look forward to seeing everyone on April 20, 2013. 

Press Release: "Hello World"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Luna George

818.235.4598

lunacrewest@gmail.com

THE SERVICE STATION AT RIVERSIDE AND URBAN ART CURATOR LUNA GEORGE ANNOUNCES THEIR ARTISTIC LOVE LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO BE OPENED ON APRIL, 20 2013

 “I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us. And the world will be as one”- John Lennon
 

Los Angeles, CA - The Service Station at Riverside is THE new local Art Spot! This beautiful renovated 1960’s gas station and urban space made entirely of salvaged shipping containers will open its doors with a brand new art transformation on April 20, 2013 from 2 to 10 pm and will kindly present “Hello World.” Hello World is an exhibition curated by urban art curator Luna George, featuring works by 40+ artists with an evening art reception, as well as other opening events to happen during the day for the public to enjoy. The opening event will include the unveiling of a new 8’ x 50’ mural painted by low brow artists Dave MacDowell, Van Saro and John Park, a yarn bomb installation “K.W.A.” (Knittas with Attitude) by guerrilla fiber artists, food trucks, beer garden, healthy alternatives and DJ! A special installation by resident artist Meex One, will unveil a creation inspired by the style of Keith Haring. The Service Station at Riverside humbly invites the general public, art collectors and enthusiasts to enjoy this exciting exploration into the urban art world of 2013 beginning on April 20. All are welcome to this glorious opening event.

The sole intent of The Service Station, the curator and the artists is to transform this living space into a living piece of art for the community to thrive, expand and grow. Through art, the visual purpose is to educate, inform and to unify their collective vision onto the canvas, which is The Service Station.  The station will provide a magnitude of powerful ever-changing art available to the public to enjoy and take home. 

The vast array of talent converging on the station includes fine artists, graffiti artists, muralists, sculptors, fiber artists, street artists and photographers. Artists in exhibit work in various forms of media including illustration, traditional painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textiles and more.

Exhibiting artists include:  Alaina Varrone, Amy Goldsmith Sheridan, Armando Soria, Artemis Nolasco, Ashira Siegel, Ben Naz, CANLOVE, Cat Cult, COL WALLNUTS, Culpa PFE, Danielle Mastrion, Dave Lowell, Dave Mac Dowell, Demer, Each, Ekose22, Ellen Left Eye Schinderman, EnikOne, Fearo, Freddy Medina,Free Humanity, Gregg Stone, Ian Campbell, Inge Vandormael, Iviva Olenick, Jennifer Korsen, Jero, Jngl, John Park, Jonas Lynch, Joseph Bottari, June22, Katharine Lawrie, King Bee, Lisa Legget, Mark Bieraugel, Meex One, Michael Pizarro, Mo Powers, Nani Chacon, Ohgie, Petal, Pose 2, Prime, Raul Gonzalez, Sandi Calistro, Scotch!, SEL, Sen2, Sergio "Doc43" Rueda, Such Styles, Thanks One, THEFL, Tod Hensley, Trixter, Van Saro, VERS, Yabette Alfaro, Yu Cotton-well

Special date information is as follows: Opening event to take place April 20, 2013 from 2 pm to 10 pm.  Live mural painting by Dave Mac Dowell, Van Saro and John Park to happen during the day.  Special fiber art activities to occur throughout the day.  More details on the special activities TBA.  Art reception to take place from 6 to 10 pm.  DJ will be spinning all day for the guests listening pleasure.  

The Service Station at Riverside is located at 3160 Riverside Drive, Los Feliz, CA 90027. Parking can be found at the Friendship Auditorium across the street as well as in the public lot next to the Mullholland Fountain Park on the same side of the street as The Service Station.  Street parking is also available.

For questions regarding event, email curator Luna George.

Photographs, additional information regarding the artist, the space, the curator, etc. are available upon request.

About The Service Station at Riverside: The Service Station at Riverside is a fresh and creative marketplace where start-up companies, individuals and artists can flourish, develop their art, develop products and make their mark.  By combining an original 1960's gas station with a collection of salvaged shipping containers, The Service Station is an accessible, flexible and ever evolving creative space without ever making a huge impact on the environment.  Bringing people and art together to create a current and lively venue is how The Service Station intends to blend original ideas and art awareness with an everyday local feel.

About Urban Art Curator Luna George: Luna George has been a major force working within the Contemporary Art Scene for almost half a decade. Former Gallerist /Curator for Crewest Gallery, she procured an undeniable footing within our Street Art/ Graffiti community. Her ability to connect artist to exposure with pure passionate motivation, has elevated her into being one of the most sought after creative talent managers in the art world today. Now working on an urban art transformation project at "The Station" in Los Feliz, her canvas has expanded into curating a steady flow of today’s hottest talent, while promoting an esthetic that embraces community interaction and growth. With an entrepreneurial spirit at heart, Luna's charitable skill for providing talent into to prolific organizations continue to thrive.  Be on the lookout for more exciting projects and exhibits curated by Luna George in 2013. 

About Resident Artist Meex One:  Involved with the Graffiti art movement since the age of 15, Meex One continues to explore and define his own unique statement and style.  He has made the transition from expressing his art on the walls of the city’s forgotten landscapes and freight trains, to large commissioned murals and complex canvas work. Meex One realized Graffiti art could transcend beyond the streets.  He has created expressive canvases that challenge the definition of vandalism and beauty.  His artwork has been showcased in various group exhibitions and as a featured artist in several live art events. His success as a freelance artist has allowed him to collaborate on everything from traditional murals, still photography shoots, and film production.  His art is unique, versatile, and creative while still paying homage to the old school B-boy style.