Shawn Barber Interview on Fecal Face

There is no denying that Shawn Barber has talent. When I first saw his work in Juxtapoz, I was pretty amazed. What caught my eye initially was a Mike Giant tattoo homage painting he did...I just stopped and stared at the pages of the magazine. He is an amazing 'fine' artist and I love his content.

Here is a good quote on ripping off art from his interview on Fecal Face:

Q: A lot of artists' art out there today looks like a lot of other artists' art. Did you ever feel that another artist was stealing your ideas and ripping off your work or has any other artist accused you of stealing their ideas and ripping off their work? -submitted by BRENDAN

A: Hi Brendan- I have strong opinions on artistic plagiarism- but have mellowed out quite a bit in the last couple of years. I've had former students state that they don't look at 'anyone's' art ever (which is bullshit) because they don't want to be influenced by 'anyone'. 'Art' doesn't exist in a vacuum- we are all influenced by the world we live in and unless you're a blind person who actually doesn't have the physical ability to see- you can't deny this obvious fact. Influence and inspiration keeps anyones' 'art' fresh, new, exciting and invigorating. We've all done 'Master copies' or pieces 'in the style of' another artist to learn process, technique, drawing, color theory, etc. This is how you progress faster. The problem that I have with it all is not the influence but the outright emulation of someone's imagery, personal icons, mark making, content and style through a distinct body of work. You are never going to be an 'original' if you emulate one person's 'art'. You are just being lazy and inconsiderate; and you might just be trying to get rich quick or be part of the 'cool kids club'. If you can't respect yourself, why would anyone else? Unfortunately, many galleries can't get or show the artists works that they want to and show second rate rip-offs- just to make a buck. I've personally called a few people out on it in the past, but finally realized that it's a waste of energy on people that are probably never going to get it anyway.

The IV Song

Considering that I do not claim shit on IV, this song is pretty funny. It makes the place look enticing, but then again, I went to The University of Arizona, and shit gets crazy like this all the time... so maybe that is what makes it look fun...or maybe I just miss college. Boobs, beer, and the beach, what else do you need? Regardless, homeboy Sabatage is friends with my girl Jenna - and she backs him, and this song is pretty good in a Micky Avalon/ Dirt Nasty sort of way so check it. He played at Velvet on Tuesday and shit was popping (with IV kids) LOL.

Wish List Cont.

Shepard Fairey Sues Associated Press

WOAH- People sure act kooky when some one is on the rise, especially hipster star & street artist Shepard Fairey. Home boy is blowin' up outta control. This sure is entertaining. He is right on the money with this one and deserves all the credit and fame. Fuckin haters trying to claim.

Shepard Fairey, the artist whose “Hope” image of President Barack Obama was added to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, sued the Associated Press over the news company’s copyright challenge to the artwork.

Fairey seeks to “vindicate” himself after the AP earlier accused him of copying the AP photograph on which the artist’s red-white-and-blue image of Obama is based, according to a complaint filed today in federal court in New York.

The Los Angeles-based artist and his company, Obey Giant Art Inc., used the AP photograph “as a visual reference for a highly transformative purpose,” according to the complaint. “Fairey altered the original with new meaning, new expression and new messages.”

The photograph that inspired the disputed Fairey image was taken by Mannie Garcia in April 2006 at the National Press Club’s panel discussion about the humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region, according to the complaint.

Fairey seeks a court order that the image, created in January 2008, doesn’t violate AP’s copyright. According to the complaint, Fairey’s work is protected by the Fair Use statute, which allows limited use of copyrighted material to make original works of art.

Permission Required

“The photograph used in the poster is an AP photo, and its use required permission from AP,” Paul Colford, an AP spokesman’ said today in an e-mailed statement.

“AP believes it is crucial to protect photographers, who are creators and artists,” Colford said. “Their work should not be misappropriated by others.”

The lawsuit took AP by surprise, Colford said, because the company was “in the middle of settlement discussions” with Fairey’s attorney last week and had agreed not to sue during the negotiations.

The AP, which claimed on Feb. 4 that Fairey’s image infringed its copyright, threatened to sue Fairey by tomorrow, according to the complaint. The AP said it used “special technology” to determine the image’s original source.

Fairey’s work, often found in the form of street art, focuses on social and political subjects with media including screen prints and stencil paintings, according to his complaint. Earlier this month, the Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston opened a 20-year retrospective of Fairey’s work.

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery unveiled a poster of “Obama Hope” on Jan. 17.

The case is Fairey v. The Associated Press, 09-cv-01123, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

NEFF Headwear

NEFF HEADWEAR showing me the love yesterday.

Last night, I received a nice promo package from the boys down in Ventura at the Neff head quarters. Neff specializes in brightly colored beanies, hats, snowboarding accessories.

I defiantly think this brand is on the rise so keep a close eye on it. They are a very fun, and most importantly local (LOCO), company that is worth supporting! Not to mention, their gear is sweeeet. Oh oh and Neff loves Hyper Crush too.

Santogold

I don't know if you have heard this chic before, but she is fresh as fuck. SANTOGOLD. The first time I heard her was on track laid down by The Grouch. It was my favorite song for a while, now I am straight up into her. She is some what like MIA but a little bit more G and less tribal.

You should check her out.

Original or Not?

OG Santa Barbarian and artist, Wallace has been releasing some fresh new threads. I like the one pictured above... but is the one below original or not? What do you guys think? Good efforts... but hipster king DJ Girl Talk proves us wrong. Pretty much everything we see in art is a rip off, and is thus the highest form of flattery.

Wish List

I have been jockin' these shades for a while, and I still want the damn things. They are perfect for gigin' out like a Rock A Billy or just a greaser, two of my favorite styles!

I LOVE CRYSTALS! These necklaces are so freakin dope. They are crystals that have been placed into bullet shells. I want one so bad.

"It is possible that most Unearthen pieces have already chosen their bearers. The uniting of the crystal and empty bullet creates a powerful opposition, causing old dreams and new beginnings to fall upon its bearer. For this reason, the stone with the right properties for your needs will inherently attract you. Each crystal carries distinct properties. Its aims may be to clear your mind, focus your heart on goals you struggle to achieve, provide comfort in difficult times, or simply remind you of the balance between destruction and creation. Please choose your Unearthen piece with care.

Gia Bahm, creator of Unearthen, selects the crystals and bullets according to the histories, qualities, and sizes of the materials. She is a collector, an aestheticist, a creator, and a destructor… much like all of us who are constantly perplexed by the forces of nature and humankind. She lives and works in New York City, balancing her life between wardrobe styling and jewelry design, between summer nights in the woods and winter days on the streets. "

They truly are magical, for my info click - UNEARTHEN.com

Consigment Store Shopping in Ventura

This weekend, my cousin Melissa and I went to Ventura to hit up the consignment store. I found some amazing steals! The first photo is of a necklace I bought for $30.00. I love crystals, so when I saw this piece, I absolutely fell in love.

This is the prize piece right here. Funny thing is, Melissa and I were in a plus size women shop (we had no idea) and I stumbled upon this leather motorcycle jacket. Pretty much what I have been searching for my entire life...considering that finding a jacket with this much detail in my size for less than $2,000- pretty fucking rad if you ask me. Price you may ask- $ 30.00!!! Wha wha.

Got this Marc Jacobs wrislet for 6 bucks.

Please notice the pattern. Does this remind you of anything? Funny because you could probably find the same damn scarf at Urban Outfitters for $50.00. Price $ 10.00.

My cuzzie bought these styling white boots. I will be borrowing them shortly.

This purple rockers were $15.00- but a tad bit too small. I wanted them bad though.

More crystalsssss

I almost bought this set. It's simply amazing.

Me trying to be MIA. Minus her preggers belly at the Grammy's. LOL. I wanted this jacket really bad, perfect for camping or doing whatevers.

Melissa bought this hat for the beach in Maui :)

Shops we went to:

One Mo Time

Wear It Again Sam

Consigning Woman

I will let you google the address if you want to go.

My Art

Well, on the topic of art, here is some stuff that I have done recently. As you can see, I love Pin Ups, amine, little Fafi's, and Baby Love. Oh Baby.

My boy Tysen from Tavik Clothing

While I was hanging out with Z MAN down in San Diego for ASR, I met his friend Tysen, who does a lot of graphic design work for various companies, including being one of the lead designers for Tavik Clothing. I don't know about this brand yet, from what I have heard, it's a bunch of rich kids spending their parents money, but who knows, I mean it is from Laguna Beach... which doesn't help my argument but, my friend does have some talent..regardless. AND oh oh, I forgot the best part of the story... so I was in SD and he was wearing the limited edition San Francisco REBEL 8 hat, and I was like damn that shit is fresh, and he knew I knew my art/ fashion because chics just don't know about REBEL 8, except for the cool ones :) so yeah, Tysen had an installation show with Mike Giant a while back...which means he is ligit, Mike G is like only my favorite artist (like OMG). Anywho, he invited me to do an art show! YES! Getting some art ready, not sure how long it will take me but I am hoping it will be done real soon.

Art Show Tonight

Kids On Drugs

This is srsly the funniest thing I have seen in a while, and if you have ever done drugs, this is exactly what its like!

What the fuck is a blog anyway?

So, I ask myself this everyday... what the fuck is a blog? Why is our generation reading blogs these days? Do you have to have a blog to be cool? HA! From a more professional view point, do blogs increase sales? Do they provide to be a good marketing tool? These are all things I ask myself. I started this blog as a social experiment, now... I don't know what to think.

Here are some funny definitions of what a "blog" is from urbandictionary.com

1. blog

Short for weblog.
A meandering, blatantly uninteresting online diary that gives the author the illusion that people are interested in their stupid, pathetic life. Consists of such riveting entries as "homework sucks" and "I slept until noon today."

2. blog

a place where people bitch about their daily activities which nobody is interested in. topics like why they argue with boyfriend and how they end up together at last, daily aneroxic activities like drinking blended organic fruits and vegetable for breakfast, lunch and dinner, talking about cutting themselves with a razor blade and how good they felt, bitch about their shopping activities and what they got.

just another way to seek attention and sympathy from other people.

Sample of a blog entry:
Today i argued with my babypooh, he got mad a me just because justin asked me out for lunch, he ended up ignoring me and not calling me. i don't know what i've done wrong and why am i crying over it right now. it's just stupid, he's not the man that he used to be, i still remember how he treats me when we first started, it was all so nice and perfect. but now, we're like arguing over small matters almost every week. i don't think i can take this anymore, i'm just tired of this relationship.

owh look, someone actually commented on my previous entry.

3. blog

A recent and disturbing trend on the internet. A blog lets people easily post comments onto a webpage. While blogs have many purposes, some of which can be useful, most people seem to use blogs as a way of having an online diary. These people have such massive egos and are so narcissistic that they believe that other people would be interested in reading their pointless ramblings. Even more disturbing is the fact that many people have such boring lives that they have nothing better to do than to read these stupid online diaries. They just feed the egos of the "bloggers" and encourage them to continue posting nonsense. Hopefully, "blogging" will turn out to be just a fad that passes quicky

tim: Hey i just set up a blog on my website.
joe: What have you written in it?
tim: Oh just some random drivel.
joe: Sounds like the typical blog.
tim: Yeah, but plenty of people will still read it, and that will make me feel special.
joe: That's sad.
tim: I know.

4. blog

Before it became an internet word, blog was a very strong drink of indeterminate recipe invented by sf fans, worse even than their Nuclear Fizz; like Monty Python’s Australian “fighting” wine, it is generally believed that blog is best left in the bottle so it can be used for hitting people over the head with.

He drank a large glass of blog and promptly fell over.

You know you're from Santa Barbara when...

Just for you locals..... - You say Santa Barbara with a silent T - You get ocean views from the mountains. - Fiesta eggs! - Santa Barbara hates San Marcos, San Marcos hates Santa Barbara. They both hate Dos Pueblos and Bishop is completely forgotten about. - You know which theater to sneak into.. duhhhh stadium seating! - Two words... Lazy Acres. - You know the pit, the wall, hams, the cove, conch, r beach and everywhere in between. - When you've seen the van with the mirrors, tiles and stuff all over it. - There's rain on fiesta friday. - Knowing a "mission" with your friends, isn't visiting the SB Mission. - You've seen State Street's snake people and that old black guy with the lap bongo! He's so cool! - You see a million people you know just driving around town. - You go to mansion house parties. - Frescos. Flourless chocolate cupcakes. MMM. - NATURAL CAFE! - You drive up to the snow that one week of the year. - You have snuck into Bacara and Biltmore. - You've been to secret bonfire locations and the non-secret spots too. - You've walked the journey to R beach in the dark. - You know everyone in SB through somebody else. - You see whole families wearing rainbow sandals. - You know the music academy's password to avoid traffic. - Finding sea glass at Hope Ranch Beach. - You've attended the Hope Ranch Beach campout. - Volleyball at East Beach. - You've visited Circle Bar n B. - You leave to try and make enough money only so you can move back. - You miss Mason B. Mason - You know the EXACT time it takes to get from Montecito to the other side of town. - You know who "Jesus" is, and also know that he has the best weed. - State street is so overrated, and you drive to Ventura to get some quality shopping done. - You graduated high school and yet you come home and still see everyone you know. - Being star-struck is not cool. - The cars in the high school parking lot are worth more than the school itself. - The average price of your house is higher than any other zipcode. - Hangover breakfasts at Mesa Cafe are a must. - Goleta is soo not the same. - You flash your brights at people parked at the sunset lookout/makeout point near the Pit. - You go to the beach every day in summer, and almost every day the rest of the year. - Summertime means having to take APS everywhere. - You know where the best (and cheapest) Mexican food place is in town. - You feel really cool when you hang out on the wall and get to talk to all the sleaze balls that graduated a million years before you did. - Friday means HABIT day. - You go to In N' Out after every single SM vs. SB game in hopes of watching a fight. - You don't look twice at the Picasso hanging on the wall of your friend's mansion. - You know where Super Cucas #1, #2, and #3 are, and love going to #2 because Hector works there. - Ice blocking and glow bowling is something you do when you're bored on a Wednesday night. - You wore your rocket dogs and Juicy jumpsuit to Zelos on Sundays. - You miss Be-Bop-Burgers and Hot Spots! - Homeless people and Bentley's can live together in harmony. - You can point out a tourist in a millisecond. - You see 10 year olds wearing Juicy. - You think the SB vs. SM game is the biggest thing of the year. - Alll your friends from out of town love IV and your OVER IT. - You took prom pics at the Mission rose garden. - You've hiked at Cold Springs and 7 falls. - You miss the crooked neck giraffe...RIP :( - No one understands why you laugh out loud at the San Marcos Pass scenes in "The Graduate" and "Austin Powers 2." - You know what "El Nino" is and what it did to Santa Barbara. - You've seen Oprah walking around in her sweats in Montecito and Britney on State just cruisin. - You've seen Paul Walker at the SB Bowl or surfing at Butterfly Beach. - You can order at Cajun without looking at the menu. - You get off and then back on the freeway at Garden and Milpas to avoid the bottleneck. - When you were younger, Kid's World was the greatest thing on earth. And your handprint is still there. - You know how many times the cow has been painted. - You know or recognize at least two people who show up on this front page... - You don't necessarily recognize the people on the front page, but you know their siblings. - Living in a non beach town just doesnt cut it, you always come back. - You hate Chipotle and Jamba Juice because you have Freebirds and Blenders. - It drizzles and the 101 backs up. - You search high and low for a Rusty's in other cities but then realize that only in SB will you find such a treasure. - You're late for school because of traffic from Michael Jackson's trial. - You get pulled over and searched in IV because "your headlight is out" when you know for a fact it isn't. - Your run down shack goes for over a million easily. - You've seen what happens to the dolphin fountain when you put soap in it. - You've walked up and down the La Playa stadium steps to workout in the morning. - You've been at a sports field and heard/seen the homeless spectators heckling the players. - You're pissed about Santa's new location in the ghetto of Oxnard. - You remember eating at Fresh Choice on State Street. - You know that Hope Ranch is great to drive through at two in the morning, because the police pretty much never go there. - You know where to find a Farmers' Market almost any day of the week. - A winter wardrobe consists of jean skirts and Uggs. - You know where Periwinkle Lane is and what you can find there. - You remember when the 101 had a stop-light to cross State Street. - No one from the other states know where your city is but everyone in France knows exactly and laughs when you try to explain that it's close to LA. - The football jocks have 4.0's and are accepted to most ivy league schools. - You remember Orchid Bowl, Powell Skate Park, and the Living Room. - Your english teacher asks, "Why is your car worth 10,000 more than mine?". - You abbreviate the shit out of everything....whatev. - Traffic backs up along the beach by the cemetary, so you take the "short cut" and everyone hates you. - You spent most of your childhood in the huge wave in Be Bop Burgers. - You know about the crazy house that seems to be made out of marble and the dog on Garden that is dressed up for every damn holiday. - You know who really decorates that big tree in off San Ysidro every year in the middle of the night. - Your city concert bowl has quiet hours at 10:30 pm. - Forget Zodos, it was all about the Old San Marcos Bowl. - You have been in the Hope Ranch newspaper for doing something stupid. - You dressed as a freak for Summer Solstice. - You, or someone you were close to, played AYSO as a kid. - You know where and what More Mesa is. - You and your house almost get blown away during winter break. - Jack Johnson's wife was your math teacher, and he performed at your high school's talent show. - You walk into a bar and you realized you played spin the bottle with the bartender about 8 years ago. - You've tipped the guy who makes the sand sculptures by the wharf. - You've tried to take a picture of that same guy, and got yelled at. - You meet your friends in front of CPK but never go in. - You know who the guy with the lip piercing that works in the shoe section of Nordstroms is. - You've seen the whale skeleton, the giant squid on ceiling, the wave simulator and that topless Chumash woman diorama. - Seeing Mission creek when it's full after rains. - Rocky Nook Park. - The old BMX jumps they used to have down in the gully next to the mission lawn. - If you're a Royal, you hate the way they repainted all the traffic lights by school for some lame senior gift after you graduated. - You know where Francesci Park is and go there regularly with your friends at night to look at the INSANE view of the city. - It's 85 degrees on Valentines Day. - There are more than 10 stores in town that sell jeans for more than $250. - Your Halloween isnt just one night, its a whole weekend. - Everyone thinks Carp is the ghetto. - Everyone knows who the "back flip for a dollar guys" are. - You've laughed at the weird bellydancer on State. - You know which kids are tweakers, cokeheads, stoners, and alcoholics just by looking at them. - You called Mona when you were kids...966-6969...at the sound of moan, the time is... - You've never stayed in a hotel in SB, but you sure have swam in their pools. - You've kissed someone on "the wall." - You remember the earthling. - You've eaten at main squeeze. - At one point of your life you've waited out in front of CPK to be picked up. - You make fun of all the junior high kids congregated at Camino... but remember doing it yourself. - Your friends had birthday parties at Skating Plus and you thought it took forever to get there. - You always thought your house was kind of small until you realized that you have mountain and ocean views and it's worth over a million. - You complain that SB is getting more like L.A. everyday, but never want to leave and still want to raise your family here. - You can honestly say that your parents burnt down the Bank of America in IV during the summmer of ’69. - You rent snowboards at Mountain Air instead of at Mammoth. - You go to a party in Hope Ranch and Montecito (the kind of places people dream about) in the same night. - The parties are broken up usually by 9:30. - 5 cops cars show up to one high school party. - You show up to class and see half the students with Starbucks. - Your idea of bad traffic is a 10 minute wait at Milpas. - You drive around the Milpas round-about at 1 AM at least 6 times going over 50 mph. - You drive down Haley after 10 to awkwardly look at the hookers. - The girl you meet in line at Freebirds ends up in Playboy the next month. - John Cleese has almost run you over at least once. This list has been compiled from a bunch of Santa Barbara kids- most of these items I agree with, others could go kick rocks and go back to Goleta. HA ! Nah, I am not a hater now that I work in the Goodland, but yeah. That's all.