"GNT" is short for Giant and "AK", Aerosol Kings, was a crew from NYC that I had just become part of. AK was started by Nic 1, a mentor to AGREE who then mentored me. It was painted in Albuquerque at a spot we called "Monolithic". I learned how to piece there. This was one of the first pieces I did using NY thin caps or "Liquid-Tex" caps as we called them, or "phantoms" as our friends in San Diego called them. We had to steal them from cans of spray adhesive we'd find at art supply stores before our friends in San Diego hooked us up with big bags of them. I used cheap K-Mart silver for the fill-in and outlined it with Krylon True Blue, a favorite combination. I used up some scrap cans of florescent paint in the background. And I think that's the only time I've ever done my outline fat-to-thin like that. It's weird. I used a "spitter cap" for the electricity effect and the tiny flare lines in the sparkle effects. I'll explain how to make a spitter at another time. And how about those shelltoe Adidas with fat laces and the Bones t-shirt I was wearing? I had such a weird sense of style.
Now fast forward 21 years and read this interview that FATCAP just posted. Stay up!
I forgot to mention this one earlier. I've never been a fan of cream of wheat but my man Bobby in San Diego really recommend I try it at Hob Nob Hill Restaurant. He had us so convinced that all four of us ordered it.
It was SO good! Bobby was so right.
Now I'm back in Los Feliz and I had to get a shot of the "Bearded Frenchy" at Fred 62. It's thick sliced french toast in a cornmeal crust. It's one of my favorite things on planet Earth.
After that I headed over to Wacko to buy some books. On the walk back I got this shot of my friend Pakayla with some graffiti by Andre from Paris.
Later that afternoon Pakayla got this shot of me in front of an awesome mural by D*FACE.
Join me Saturday night at Thinkspace Gallery for the opening of Pakayla's show with painter Jeff Ramirez. It's a banger!
Summer ’11 is the first season since mid-2008 that I had a big hand in designing. Back in the day, circa ’04, before Giant lived in SF, he’d send me poster tubes filled with art. With a Pantone book in one hand and the original art in the other, I’d pick and choose ink colors, graphic sizes and placements. I’d take the over-sized posters to a spot in SoMa [San Francisco] to have them shot directly to film. From there I’d hit the screenprinter and choose body styles and colorways. And that was how REBEL8 would get made. Back then it was literally just Mike Giant and Joshy D.
In fact, Giant wouldn’t even see what I did with his art until we’d link up in Vegas in our shitty motel room where I’d present him the line. Thankfully he was always stoked on what I did and his trust in me became stronger with each season. I made a promise to Mike back then that I would always keep his name in the highest regard and always make sure his art was properly showcased and respected. Over the years we’ve all seen shady motherfuckers fuck a lot of talented artists, and I would never do that to my number one homeboy.
So getting back to Summer 2011. It’s available right now in its entirety here. It’s my favorite season we released in quite some time. Summer ’11 is homage to our past and our legitimate history in skateboarding. It’s simple, but well thought-out. It’s pure REBEL8, back to the basics. Back to why you fell in love with REBEL8 in the first place.
Our history makes us who we are today and our today determines whom we will be tomorrow.
REBEL8 is built around like-minded individuals and that is why you are reading these very words right now. We are a big healthy family that supports each other, fights our enemies, and holds fast.
I got up early this morning and checked out the street art show at the LA MOCA while the museum was closed to the public. I had free reign of the place. It's an incredible show. You should check it out if you can. While I was there, I met Chaz Bojorquez! I've been inspired by his work for many, many years. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera so I couldn't get my fan shot with him. I lost my camera back stage at the Lil Wayne concert in Oakland last month and hadn't replaced it. So after the museum visit my buddy Roger dropped me off at Best Buy and I walked out of there in 10 minutes with this Canon Powershot SD1400IS.
I'm back in business! Hope I can catch Chaz later this week for that fan shot...
This is your average Tuesday in the Castro. Look closely. I think these guys might be RHCP fans, or maybe not.
Fact, I'm afraid of Corgies. It's their weird fluffy butts. I'm just not that into you.
Classy bitches.
We have a don't ask don't tell policy.
Took a ride across the GGB to visit Tyler Florence's new restaurant El Paseo. We sat with the Mayor of Milf Valley Cavan Clark at the Chef's table. Thanks Tyler & Cavan!
Mmmmm. Buns. (Homer voice).
Shared a rib eye with Joshy D. It was fantastic. Until next time Chef.
I'm back in LA now, chillin' in my homie's guest house. I had an awesome time in San Diego. I arrived Sunday afternoon and linked up with artist friends Mike Maxwell and James Brisk. Brisk told us about something called "Slappy Sundays" so we headed out to George Dewey Elementary School to grind some curbs! This is James and I with legendary SD skater Kien Lieu.
Following our epic curb sesh, Mike took us to Cafe India, one of my favorite spots in SD. Before we went in we sampled some cannabis in what Mike called the "Super Joint".
We had a feast!
On Monday I hit Mission Beach with my friend Pakayla and got a royal sunburn!
I love the beach!
From there we drove out to El Cajon to visit Mike Maxwell's home and studio. We had to stop for gas and I was trippin' on this "Streetblaze" stuff they sold. WTF? Is this some SoCal shit? I've never seen it before. I was tempted to buy some to see what it could do in my rental car.
We chilled at Mike's for awhile then he took us for a heavily medicated nature walk. Awesome.
That evening I hooked up with my old friends Bobby and Carl from Tribal.
These guys are OGs of the streetwear scene. I've known them for about 20 years. They've been super helpful as Joshy and I have developed REBEL8. Big respect.
I love how everyone these days has been hopping on the hardcore bandwagon. It's funny.
Went to see the homies Terror and Trapped Under Ice in Oakland last week or so. TUI took the stage fully dipped in REBEL8. Really cool dudes in a really good band.
Backstage with Martin from Terror.
Then on stage with the Keepers Of The Faith.
You guys all know who Dougernaut is by now right!? Ex-Terror band member now REBEL8 lifer.
Real recognize real. Rebel Fuckin' 8. The originals!
I checked out the show at the Pasadena Museum of California Art last night and ran into my man Saber!
He might not remember this, but he gave me one of the greatest compliments of my life as a graffiti writer. When we met in the late 90s, I told him that I really loved the immense size of his pieces and he told me that I had inspired to him to paint bigger after he'd seen some of the 15' tall Giant pieces I had running at the time. I was blown away when he told me that. Not long after, in 1997 I believe, he did one of the biggest pieces ever in the Los Angeles River. Saber is the shit as far as I'm concerned. A true king of the graffiti game.
Now I'm in San Diego at the Bristol Hotel. My traditional first stop when I visit San Diego is Valentine's Taco Shop, and this trip was no exception.
I usually get the fish burrito, but I flipped it this time and got fish tacos. I don't eat fish very often, but I can't resist when I'm at Valentine's. So good!
I drew out the LUST and LOVE and my buddy Greg Rojas put them in my skin. All healed and looking good!
I'm driving down to LA tomorrow to catch the opening of the "Getting Upper" group show at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, 490 East Union Street. I am one of 26 artists in the show. Each of us was responsible for illustrating a letter of the alphabet. I of course got the letter "G". The opening reception is from 7-10pm. Two other shows are opening the same night. One show features work of graffiti artists and the other show features the work of the Clayton Brothers. Hope to see you there. Should be a great party.
I'll be in San Diego for a few days after that, then back in LA for a few days. Look for me at a cannabis dispensary or skatepark near you!
