Body Painting x Urban Camouflage

Natalia Fabia*

As if my love for pin-ups and hot chics could not get any worse, I think my passion just bumped up to a new level and reinforced that I am onto something, and that drawing naked woman will be something that artists illustrate and display for the rest of time. It's obvious that this new form of beauty has taken over our era and is a perfect example of how beauty changes over time. And thus every reason for me to continue doing what I do, and nailing away at my defined art style in attempts to create some sort of new character/ archetype or (in realty) a reinterpretation of a pre existing one.

Corey Helford Gallery, 2007

(from the press release) Corey Helford Gallery is proud to present Hooker Safari: A Glamorous Jungle Pageant, a solo exhibition of new works by Los Angeles artist Natalia Fabia. This will be Fabia's first solo show at the Gallery, and her most ambitious exhibition to date.

Hooker Safari marks a new direction in the artist's style and technique, while retaining the seductive and provocative imagery that she is known for. Fabia takes the viewer on an African expedition where glamorous women are the wildlife: a seductress and her panther prepare for the kill, a herd of girls relax in a savanna, and a glamazon perches in her tree. The show will feature twenty oil-on-panel paintings, numerous drawings and an exotic vine installation of entangled chandeliers,flowers, bugs, and glitter. Opening night will also include the debut of Hooker Medallions, limited-edition wearable works of art from Fabia's jewelry line Hookerfeathers. Also, heightening the atmosphere of safari and celebration will be the appearance of "Charon Nogues and Her Beasts of Burden", featuring ten Los Angeles models who will be dressed in a collection of custom, sexy animalesque costumes designed by stylist Charon Nogues.

Saturday February 21, 2009
7 - 10pm

Corey Helford Gallery

8522 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 287-2340

Todd Bradtrud & Clout Mag

Lizard Pin Up? I thought this graphic was killed after Volcom exhausted it, but it's still in the mix and I love this version even more!

From Todd's Blog:

Read more for the full editorial and a sneak peak of the Todd Bratrud limited edition Clout Magazine 11 T shirt that will be released together with the new issue... What's my favorite word? BITCH! Last issue, the theme among all those we interviewed was versatility. This issue's common denominator is longevity. You might even call the interviewees in this eleventh issue legends. First up is Bay Area rap pioneer and the godfather of pimp rap, Too $hort. Crafting his art since the age of 14, Too $hort has been around for more than twenty years and still remains to be relevant today. Building a solid foundation in the Bay Area rap scene beginning in his early teen years, San Quinn continues to be a mainstay and positive force for the younger generation. For almost thirty years, Cope 2 has been getting up in the streets on a consistent basis and now has made a professional career out of his art. He talks to Clout about his beginnings as a writer and gives us some words on his inspirations, crews, beef and the state of graffiti today. On the cover, you'll find a pin-up lizard girl unmistakably illustrated by the legendary skateboard artist Todd Bratrud. You wouldn't know it from reading his interview but he's been drawing and skateboarding for two decades and has contributed countless graphics to the scene. Graffiti writer GESO made his way onto the scene 16 years ago and has one of the most unique styles. Following the road less traveled, GESO's got a style and attitude all his own.You'll also find a Q&A with the creator of innovative brand Two In The Shirt, Marek Grubel, who is bringing tastefully provocative graphics on tees season after season. And as always, a solid selection of great photos of walls, freights and city streets from coast to coast as well as product and fashion features. - CULT OF BEAUTY

Source: Todd Bratrud & The Skateboard Mag

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.

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).

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

Blaze It

Just another Mike Giant props. Fool is trying to legalize the greens, damn. Ok. Here is just a pic that should be shared. Mike Giant rallys people to blaze it in SF, and they all meet up and burn one down, and kick it. That sounds fun. Sometimes I think The Bay is where its at. SRSLY. Not just for blazing, but for art, which is really what I'm talking about.

RIP THE RIPPER- on hold

Trying to get the pics up from the art show, but I got shot down at work, I have the high res ones that will be used for The Skateboard Mag, so until that shit is printed and off the press, then I can re-post the pics from show....

For now, here is some pics from ASR

Puke Blood Forever

Aldrin Garcia- high ollie winner last year

Steven Reeves and his crew

Holding down the door duty!

Lance Mountain

21 Years of Respect

Grant Britain and his pro deck- Skateboarding's oldest photographer

Glowing Gouls

Billy Baker, formerly the Shorty's team manager back in the day when they were cranking... SOC artist

Me, guarding the box of limited edition Tech Decks

Art Room Before & After ASR

This is what our art room looked like days before ASR....

Then Jill Johnson worked her magic, and made it all clean!

Crazy shit going down in here!

My Favorite Suicide Girls

This is the first image I have from the Suicide Girls. Initially, I learned about these killer chics (literally) when I watching the footage from Create Skateboards Rumble In Ramona skate contest. I am into hot rods and pin ups, so that contest really intrigued me, not to mention my fascination with the Hesh Law. I saw them, and I was like "What the heck are all these hot pin ups doing at this Hesh party?" And then I realized, they were down, they were down for life, just like Thrasher is down with skateboarding, you know? It made me kind of jealous.Then I found their site, and became obsessed. Once I was set on these chics, and possibly, the thought of one day signing myself up, I started doing more research! And what do you know, Mike Dirt, the king of SB POP, had a book at his house of the Suicide Girls. I started reading it the other day and realized I really am hooked. I can't tell you why I am so facsinated with Pin Ups, hot rod culture, and this new contempory image of what was once a prestinly posed woman from the 1950's, but all I can say is that "I want that hair style" and the look. I am fazing out of the surfer chic- I want this minus the tats. Joshy Dee from Rebel 8 and Mike Giant told me to not get a tatoo and leave my body pure. So that is what I am going to do, I think. For now, I have to be a square. Fuck You Society.

Here are my photos of my favorite Suicide Girls.

Rodeo Suicide Is My FAVORITE!

Mike Giant is SUCHA OG

Every time I read anything about Mike Giant, it confirms that he truly is an original gangster. He doesn't give a fuck about impressing people and doing what society tells him to, he does what ever he wants, he does it with style, and he knows exactly how to articulate himself with out sounding like an "artsy kook." He is honest, he is true, he is not a poser, and he is straight up. That is what I love about him.

This is my favorite quote/ response from his recent interview on FecalFace.com- because I too had this question- what is next after the hipster generation?

Q: Everybody knows hipsters, graffiti, track bikes, etc are dead and pretty much played out. Where do you see the next trend/counterculture scene headed.... -submitted by Kurt Dalen

MG: Gosh, that's harsh, Kurt. First of all, I'm a "grandpa hipster", and it suits me just fine. And after dedicating almost 20 years to writing graffiti, I hope it never dies. And as for track bikes, there have been hip, cocky young men and women riding them around the streets of San Francisco for over 100 years! Look it up. None of this stuff is played out, dead, or otherwise. It's ongoing. You'll see for yourself as you get older. The next thing will simply be a remix of shit from the past, because none of us are really all that imaginative anyway.

Good words of wisdom.

As for this "Muerte", well, can we say skeet skeet?

"Rip The Ripper" Art Show ASR

This ASR, January 22, 23, 24 in meeting room 288, the first ever "Rip The Ripper" Art Show.
Please come if you will be attending this Spring 09 Action Sport Retail trade show at the San Diego Convention Center.

After much debate, VCJ, AKA Court Johnson (SB Loco) and legendary creator of skateboarding's most famous graphic, The Ripper, has decided to join us by creating yet another Ripper. His Ripper has inspired hundreds of biters & pretty much- the entire trend on skulls in my opinion. The art show is a celebration of the famous graphic and we here at Skate One have invited legendary artists from the skateboarding industry & art world, including my personal favorite, Todd Bratrud (FLIP, CONSOLIDATED, VOLCOM STONE) , Sherpard Ferry (OBEY CLOTHING, OBEY THE GIANT), Michael Sieben (VOLCOM & MANY MORE), Ben Horton (RVCA CLOTHING & MORE), and many many more talented artists. This is something that you will not want to miss.

More photos to come :)