True Love in Nueva York.

Maritza and Roshaun are a beautiful couple. They have the kind of relationship that people dream about.

And its because of them, that i believe in love.  I've been friends with them for a few years now so I was thrilled when they asked me to take their wedding photos. Below are a few images from their special day.  Thanks Mitz and Ro for letting me be apart of it. Que viva el amor. 

M.I.S.S. x MAMA

The new Issue of Sneaker Freaker just hit the stands and

I have a few images in the special NYC edition.   Pick up 

your copy HERE to see the great  shoe colab between ADIDAS x M.I.S.S. x MAMA

Heart

The fabulous photographer Trevor Traynor and I shot a video for my sister Vanessa's store. For all your holiday shopping, please stop by. I promise you'll fall in love with this store. Don't believe me... check out all the press the stores been getting. HERE and HERE and HERE :)
Special thank you to Keelay and Zaire for letting us use their music for the video!

HEART clothing Boutique from Trevor Traynor on Vimeo.

Siaira

Getta Clue x Official Hats x C Plus

What a pleasant surprise. The homie MC, C Plus, let me know about this window display currently up at the Getta Clue downtown store.  The photos were shot as part of the Official Hat Brand look book a few months ago and are currently being displayed for the holidays.  Niiiiice.

Upcoming: Amate & The Bridge is Over

I am particiapting in a couple great shows in the coming week.

This Saturday in SF at the Lopo Gallery come check out the Bridge is Over Show. The show, curated by the hard working, Ken Harman, brings together some really great artist from the greater East Bay area.  I will be showing more images from the caliLOVE series which was created entirely in Oakland. I got a sneak peak at the show on Tuesday when i dropped off my art work and was blown way by all of the amazing art work. Especially Keba Konte's pieces.  Come see them for yourself.  The show opens at 6pm.  

December 3rd at Intersection for the Arts, the incredibly talented poet, Leticia Hernandez, asked me to share some images as part of her annual event: Women Painting Stories. I am really looking forward to hearing her poem about the Mission which was inspired by visuals from the muralist Juana Alicia, the photographer Michelle Gutierrez and myself. If your free Dec 3rd, please stop by. It's going to be an amazing event.

*Thank you Leticia and Ken for including my images on the flyer.

Zuzuka Poderosa

Behind the scenes at the Miss Crew Shoe shoot for Sneaker Freaker
magazine. Be on the look out for next months issue.

Guerrero Gallery

I met Andres Guerrero a few years ago at an art show where he was showing some work with the 7th Letter crew. Though I don't remember the name of the gallery, I do remember I was really impressed with his painting style and the composition of his work. Fast forward a few years later and Andres became part owner and curator at the White Wall Gallery and put me in my first big group show called WELL HUNG with some of the bay areas best female artist.  Andres and I stayed friends through out the years and I am happy to report that he has embarked on a new artistic venture. Today he is the owner of a new art space, Guerrero Gallery and I couldn't be happier for him.

About a month ago Andres called and asked if I would shoot some photos of him for story that the San Francisco Arts Quarterly was writing on him. Of course I said yes. Thanks Andres for thinking of me. Click HERE to read the interview and check out the rest of the magazine.  

Viva Las Vegas

Danielle and Alan

SmokeOut Fest

My buddy and fellow photographer, Trevor Traynor, and I  got the privilege to go down to The Smoke Out festival in San Bernadino last weekend with the super talented duo Los Rakas, back by the homies, The Park. Below is a video that Trevor put together with our footage from the awesome show and some stills i shot in between filming.  Que viva Los Rakas!


LOS RAKAS SmokeOut Festival 10/10 from Trevor Traynor on Vimeo.

Collie Buddz

Collie Buddz and his cute self at the Smoke Out Festival. HA His
music makes your booty shake and his smile melts your heart! I'm
a fan. This was the 3rd time I've seen him perform and as usual, he
gave a great performance. His music is so infectious and  fun. I dare
you not to dance at one of his shows. It's impossible! On top of being
a talented musician, Collie Buddz is also really nice. His dressing
room was next door to Los Rakas' at the Smoke Out Fest so i got a
chance to meet him. He was so kind and humble. It's great to see
someone who's reached his level of success be so accessible to his fans.
Go ahead Mr. Collie Buddz!

Heart

This weekend the best dressed lady in Sacramento, my sister Vanessa, opened up her store, Heart Boutique!!!! I am so proud of her because its something that she's wanted to do for so long and now her dream is a reality. Go ahead Ness! She has so much experience in the fashion and retail world that i know her store is going to do great. Heart Boutique is located in Sacramento on 19th and Capitol. Please stop by if you're in the area. Her store is stocked with the cutest clothes, shoes and accessories. I promise you'll love it.

Renee Castro

Renee Castro is one of my favorite artist. I fell in love 
with her art work last year after seeing her solo show 
at PUEBLO NUEVO. Do yourself a favor and check 
out her work HERE and if you can, pick up a piece. 
Cause' mark my words, this lady is going to blow up!
I was fortunate enough to get to shoot Renee for the
caliLOVE series. Below is one of the photos selected 
to be shown at the somARTS show. 

La Lucha, Homenaje al Pasado

Oct 30th. Oakland. It's going down at Corazon del Pueblo .

Manana: Honoring Revolution

I am showing two new pieces from the caliLOVE series along
with a few images I created earlier this year in the annual Dia
de los Muertos Show at SomARTS in San Francisco. This show
is curated by the legendary, Rene Yanez and his son, the talented
and incomparable artist, Rio . Unfortunately i wasn't able to make
the opening but I'm excited to make my way down to the gallery
in the coming weeks to see the altars and all the other pieces of
art created for this very special show. If you're in SF, be sure to stop by!

Wh      What: Honoring Revolution with Visions of Healing

When: Opening Reception: Friday, October 8 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Closing Reception: Saturday, November 6 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, followed by a benefit concert at 8:00pm. 

Where: SOMArts Cultural Center Bay Gallery, 934 Brannan St (between 8th and 9th)

Who: Producers/Curators René and Rio Yañez and architect Nick Gomez

Exhibition dates: October 8 through November 6 2010 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Friday 12:00pm to 7:00pm, Saturday 12:00pm to 5:00pm

How much: Tickets for the opening may be purchased at the door or online at dayofthedead.eventbrite.com. Gallery admission is free.

Participating Artist: Patricia A. Montgomery, Elizabeth Addison, Alegandra Aguin, Susana Aragon, Adrian Arias, Miranda Bergman, Bolton, Carla Caletti, Victoria Canby, Hersalia Cantoral, Martha Castrillo, Alicia Cruz-Hunt, Rick Darnell, Lucinda DeNatale, Lanell Dike, Irene Dogmatic, Annamarta Dostourian, Jimi Evins, Candi Farlice, Juliet Flower MacCannell, deCoy Gallerina, Gato, Penny Green, CJ Grossman, Bjorn Heinbach, Judy Johnson-Williams, John Leaños, Steven Leyba, Gina Lim, Amanda Lopez, Bruno Lopez, Ytaelena Lopez, Dean MacCannell, Marin Primary & Middle School 6th Grade Class, Jeff Marshall, Susan Matthews, Mary Molly Mullaney, Jane Norling, Antjuan Oden, Carla Oden, Rick Palazolo, Laura Prives, Brenda Rasmussen, Denise Richards, Andrew Samuels, Jos Sances, Anne Schnake, Shizue Seigel, Malik Seneferu, Judy Shintani, Carol, Stewart, David Tafolla, Lia Tealdi, Tp28-J, Manuel Trujillo, Wilton Woods, Rene Yañez, Rio Yañez, Victor Mario Zaballa, Cruz Zamarron and others.

Vida Eterna

The Print Exchange.

I love getting mail. I can do with out the junk but i love getting my monthly magazines, packages, and letters so when i came across Jai Tanju's blog, FILM POR VIDA, i was thrilled. Their mission is simple: Send a print, get a print. Photographers from all over the world send photo post cards to Jai. He in turn posts them on his blog and amazingly, you start to get mail from other photographs from all walks of life. What a great idea!
This October, at the Fuse Gallery in New York, Jai will be showing the 1400+ pieces of mail that he's received over the years along with a few photographs by fellow print exchangers. I feel fortunate to be able to show a piece in this special show. If you're in New York, please check it out. It looks like it's going to be epic

Today

Galeria 4.0

I am really honored and proud to be showing some work in GALERIA DE LA RAZA's 40th anniversary show. The Galeria has a special place in my heart because i interned there while in college then worked there for another 4 years after. I meet so many wonderful people in the community and was constantly inspired by all of the art work in the space and in the gallery's store, studio 54.
I know i always say this, but the line up really is amazing. Please come by if you're in the hood.

-----------
Friday, September 24, 2010 | 7:30 pm

Galeria 4.0 is a commemorative exhibition documenting key aspects of Galeria's forty-year history through archival materials and original artwork by over 40 artists.

Galeria 4.0, A Retrospective will document the visual landscape that has contributed to the shaping of Galería's mission of fostering public awareness and appreciation of Latino/Chicano art. The exhibition will traverse through the organization's inception born of cultural activism to its current standing as an international forum for examination and expression of artistic concepts central to the Latino/Chicano experience.

Th exhibit will span artworks from 1970 to 2010 and will feature works by Mitsy Avila Ovalles, the Border Arts Workshop, Robert C. Buitron, José Antonio Burciaga, Francisco X. Camplis, Graciela Carrillo, Victor Cartagena, Luz Elena Castro, Jaime Cortez, Culture Clash, The Date Farmers, Lou Dematteis, Dignidad Rebelde, Veronica Duarte, emael, Ana T. Fernandez, Juan R. Fuentes, Rupert Garcia, Lorraine Garcia Nakata, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Pablo Guardiola, Ester Hernandez, Juana Alicia, John J. Leaños, Carlos Loarca, Carmen Lomas Garza, Yolanda Lopez, Amanda Lopez, Geraldine Lozano, Ralph Maradiaga, Amalia Mesa-Bains, Jose Montoya, Julio Cesar Morales, Juanishi V. Orosco, Robin Lasser and Adrienne Pao, Tatiana Parcero, Irene Perez, The Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), Patricia Rodriguez, Favianna Rodriguez, Jos Sances, Xavier Viramontes, Rene Yañez, Rio Yañez, and many others.

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2010 from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. The exhibit will be on display through January 29, 2011 and is free and open to the public.

Caralibro

CARALIBRO: Chicana/o Artists Utilizing Facebook To Create Change
is an exhibition curated by Xico González for Sol Collective Arts & Cultural Center.
Hope to see you there.

Lately

Franalations

I am getting back into the editorial world and i couldn't be happier.
First up, I shot some photos of sneaker collector, Franalations.
Click HERE to read the full interview.

Add caption

caliLOVE: The second installment

Behind the scenes at my latest caliLOVE shoot with the infamous, Lady Tragik.

Mara Hruby

The Songstress

THE PARK

I spent this weekend shooting some behind the scenes pictures for
my homeboys The Park. The talented trio, Derek, Josh and Ben
backed the lovely Alice Russell on Friday and Saturday night at
Yoshi's SF and played with the legendary singer  Darondo at Stern
Grove on Sunday. Both shows were so amazing and reminded
me of why i got into photography in the first place.
I got my start in photography shooting pictures at hip hop shows
so music has always been a huge influence in my work. Luckily,
I have a lot of friends who are musicians so i am surrounded by
inspiration. These past few years though I haven't gone to as many
shows as i would like but shooting pictures this weekend brought
back great memories of time spent with friends and learning how
to use my camera in front of crowds of people who were huddled
together in small venues, waiting to hear their favorite band play.
I feel lucky that years later I can say photography is still my passion
and music remains a source of influence and happiness.

The Fall Official Look Book...

Below are a few pictures from the Official Brand Hat Look Book shoot i did a few weeks ago.
Check out the rest of this seasons hats HERE