This Saturday February 4th, our good friend Alina Wilson will be displaying her works as part of the opening night of “Art on the Vine” and throughout the month at Mari’s Wine Bar in Downey.  We decided to ask her a few questions about her artwork and creative process.

What are your connections to skateboarding?

In 6th grade I only wore skate clothes. Flip shirts were my favorite. It was a hot look for me. But sad to say the only trick I mastered was an Ollie… on the grass. Otherwise, I used my skateboard to get around to all the cool places 6th graders go.

What’s the scoop on the emerging Downey Art Movement?

I think everyone knows that Downey is not necessarily the hub of the local art world. Between LA and Long Beach there is a cultural gap and Downey happens to be a great place to fill the void. My roots are in Downey and I see a lot of potential. With the recent attention of some emerging art groups, Downey’s art scene is picking up a lot of momentum. I am an Art Director for a non-profit called Downey Art Vibe that has been around for the last 5 years. We have awesome plans for what we call a “Suburban Renaissance.” Our mission is to make Downey a place that fosters creativity, community, and culture. Keep an eye on us!

Can you describe “Art on the Vine”?

“Art on the Vine” is a monthly art gallery hosted by Mari’s Wine Bar, in Downtown Downey. Beginning in August, 2011 by a team from another strong art group called Downey Arts Coalition, the goal is to have a reliable place to engage with the visual arts in Downey, and provide exposure to local artists.

Your definition of creativity?

Over the years as a working artist I have become very familiar with a distinct difference when I am creative and when my creativity falls flat. I would best describe it as the moments when my emotions, thoughts, and ideas are balanced so that a clarity is available for self expression.

Is there anything that you consistently draw inspiration from?

Nature.

Favorite medium to work with?

Acrylic paint on canvas or wood. I also do a lot of mixed media with my base being an oil background and detail in acrylic, ink, and pastel.

Mediums that you haven’t worked with, but are interested in?

I haven’t done any printmaking but I am quite curious about it.

Art education?

I received my BFA with a concentration in Illustration from CSUF in 2010.

Likes or dislikes from your education?

I’ve had this story that I didn’t really need to go to school and that I just went to get my degree but I’m finding flaws in that. Every once in a while I realize I have skills that I can trace back to basic drawing and painting classes that I otherwise wouldn’t have. Its like I’m finally realizing the benefit of waxing on and off; painting the fence up and down.

Best places to view your work?

At opening night this Saturday the 4th and throughout the month of February at Mari’s Wine Bar in Downey, and at www.alinawilsonart.com and following updates at http://downeyartvibe.org/

Artists that you are feeling right now?

James Jean is the man.  And I have mad respect for all the local artists doing their thing!

See you Saturday!

In honor of Liberty’s new collaboration with tattoo artist Big Jay we decided to ask a few questions of the man behind the art. Big Jay works at Aces High in Fullerton Ca. Big Jay is responsible for about 90% of the Liberty’s crew and employees tattoo’s. Most importantly though, he’s just a cool dude. Enjoy!

What came first, art or tattooing?   
 My art definitely, I always stayed in the lines while coloring, but seriously…around ’87-’88 i got into graffiti and lettering, and little characters definitely helped my artwork come along.

How old were you?   
Got my first tattoo at 18, started tattooing at 25…
 
What got you into tattooing? 
After getting a couple of tattoos, i noticed the designs and the style I was getting were of things I felt I could draw, so after a little while, I think I bugged the owner enough to give me a job…hahaha 
 
How long have you been tattooing?
11 years already
 

How long have you worked at Aces High?  
  I’ve worked at Aces High the whole time…
 
Do you, or have you ever skated?  
 I unfortunately haven’t skated in quite awhile, but from about  ’86-’96. I’ve tried again here and there but my balance isn’t what it used to be
 
You seem to keep up on the skate scene. Why is that?
 I’ve always been a fan of the skate scene. I’ve gotten to see the evolution from ”The Bones Brigade”, psycho stix, Gator, and all of the classics, to seeing come back almost full circle…
 
What are some of the brands and board graphic’s that you’ve been stoked on over the years? 
 Soooo many for me, but when i first saw the graphics that Santa Cruz and Powell Peralta were putting out in the 80′s are art pieces to me. The ones that stick out the most were  of course were the Powell “bones” designs.. ripping bones, rat bones, the skull and sword, and one of my faves…the Mike McGill skull and snake. anything by Jim Phillips too….Santa Cruz ”Slasher”, Rob Roskopp’s boards, the screaming hand, Jeff Kendall’s designs are icons to me and I’m fortunate to have skated most of those boards. I think the graphics really started to blow me away in the 90′s though when Mark Gonzales, and Jason Lee did the parodies of the bones decks…Plan B and their Star Wars series had me wanting new decks every week!!!
 
What are some brands around today that you are a fan of?
I’m a big fan of Black Label because when boards were a little smaller, they started with more pool and ramp size boards that are pretty beefy. The fact that older riders who I looked up to are still riding…people like Duane Peters, Kevin Staab, and Hosoi are still tearing shit up is pretty cool.
 
Whats the connection between Ace’s High and Liberty?
A lot of my clients go to Liberty, so after hearing the name so much, I decided to check them out. After tattooing a couple of the guys that work there, we started throwing around ideas of a possible graphic. The fact that I grew up seeing cool graphics to one of my own on a deck is amazing to me….the connection would be through the artwork to me. Even though I havent skated in years, I can appreciate the fact that my tattoo art that may not be seen on a daily basis now can through this collab…I’m really excited to see the response.
 
We hear your a bit of a shoe collector. What brands and styles are you into these days?
 Haha…yeah, I began collecting shoes about 3 years ago. it began with Nike air max runners, a couple of SB dunks. It’s funny that after tons of shoes and crazy colorways, my heart goes back to Vans classics…I gew up wearing them and hated it, but after all the styles that come and go, those canvas authentics never get old. DVS makes some cool runners as well, but I think right now the classic look of Vans are where i’m gonna be for a while…

We at Liberty are really excited about this lil co-op, thanks a ton Jay

Noel Paris has a proper write up on OCweekly.com: Throwing Away the Rules of Grammar. Noel is also having an art show this weekend. The show opens on August 20th 7pm-11pm at the Curbside Gallery in Santa Ana. Come on down! 

Liberty colleague Pat Lawlor‏ (sales rep & drum solo extraordinaire ↑↑↑) is directing a play entitled “A Still Small Voice” in Los Angeles, California. And in order for this production to become a reality, Pat and the entire crew are asking for your help in supporting this project. Click on the image (below ↓↓↓) to find out how you can make a contribution. Thank you!

“Evidently the arts, all the visual arts, are becoming more democratic in the worst sense of the word.”

Rad show. Good vibes. Went specifically to see the Raft but ended up really liking the set that Yuck played. Had never heard their tunes before.

Thanks to the blonde babe who kept spilling her drink all over the typing hand – no biggie.

Check out these bands and their web sites:

http://porcelainraft.com/

http://yuckband.blogspot.com/

Yuck – The Base Of A Dream Is Empty from Yuck on Vimeo.

One of our favorite local bands, My Pet Saddle, will be playing a free show Monday, April 18th 2011 at the Commonwealth Lounge in Fullerton. Afghan Hounds will be playing too. 21 and over and it is Free – Win Win Win!

LAUGHING AT ME by mypetsaddle

Support your local music scene!
 

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Download at will people. We won’t reveal who’s behind the project but let’s just say it’s one of our favorite bloggers here at the Liberty Free Press, who also happens to shred.

Media Fire link here.

Crookie Leg – Hidden Houses by freespeechmusic

Crookie Leg – A Month (Featuring Bean One) by freespeechmusic

Click Here to listen to album opener/banger “Do you Really Wanna Know”

Papercuts – Do You Really Wanna Know by subpop

Sam Wanless is a Liberty Boardshop team rider. He’s also flatspots. – a home recording project he’s been doing for over 5 years. Sam is a Secret Scholar of the highest order.

Since Sam moved up to Oakland to pursue his Masters Degree in history we’ve been missing his vibes. A feature that we haven’t done in a while is the Free Download.

You can download the album here.

Anyone else out there that would like to share please contact, we like sharing the vibes.

Thanks Sam!

This man needs no introduction.

We have kind of fell behind this whole ‘a sketch a day thing’…maybe that’s a good thing, but either way, the Free Press has had a bizarre week. With that in mind, here’s 3 sketches to get us back up to the speed of things.

Liberty staffer and undercover bikesmen, Keck, put this Cafe Racer sketch together. I never would have guessed that Keck ripped at racing, but sure enough, the dude is no joke.

Craig Windes hooked this editing bay up. Craig was an original lurker and is a good friend of the board shop. Craig we gotta catch up, are you still doing Yo Gabba Gabba?

And third comes from DC resident and all around creative whiz, Maria Bryk, who explores the inner skate dreams of an art manikin.