THE SKULLZ PRESS

"Cyclists of San Francisco" Photo Shoot #2

2009-12-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

What a shoot! Over 1000 photos of 7 models. Fuckin' awesome.

I couldn't have done it without Sean here. He made sure all the photo equipment was on-point.

Glenn, Georgia, Alma, Gabby, and Lindsey got the hair and makeup sorted.

Huge thanks to all the models: Alex, Camilla, Chelsea, Erika, Leigh, Lindsey and Maddy! Also thanks to Gabe, Brandon, the Shorty Fatz homies from San Jose, Walton and others for bringing your bikes in for the shoot! I had so many rad bikes to choose from. And special thanks to my man Francisco for all his help too. Thank you, thank you.

I'll begin drawing on the prints from the first shoot this weekend. The finished series will debut at my solo show at Antonio Colombo Arte Contemporanea in Milan on February 24th. A printed catalogue will accompany the show.

What a Friday!

2009-12-08T11:28:00.001-08:00

Big up to everyone that came to my show with Mike Kershnar on Friday night. Great party! Go, Mike!

408 Posse in effect.

Mad peeps.

Yo, Phil!

Free beer always works.

Probably the darkest gallery in town.

Peter had a sweet shiner.

After the opening at The Skullz Press, we rolled down to Lower Haters where Tiffany and Francisco were feeling the love.

My man, Jeremy Fish!

After a raging show, Francisco and I headed to Mel's Diner for some late night refueling.

I got the Gardenburger with sweet fries.

Francisco opted for the cow burger with pig strips.

Good times! Hope you can join us next month!

California Medicine

2009-12-05T20:26:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Events

2009-11-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

Please join me Tuesday from 7-11pm for the release of the "Rollin High" dice game at The Medicine Agency, 1262 Mason at Jackson. We'll have hella booze and buds, and a photo booth for the stylish mofos.

Then stop by The Skullz Press this Thursday evening for the Divisadero Corridor Art Walk, or come by Friday from 6-9pm for the opening of my show with Mike Kershnar. Good times!

"Cyclists of San Francisco" Photo Shoot #1

2009-11-29T10:24:00.001-08:00

I got a posse together last night to shoot the first four girls in a new photo/illustration series that for now I'm calling "Cyclists of San Francisco". The finished pieces will debut at a solo show in Milan, Italy in February.

The evening started with a beer run, as most shoots do. I had to do this beer run twice! That's hella beers, dude.

I photographed Zey first...

Then Karina...

Then Katy...

And finally Becca!

This was a real team effort. I gotta thank the models for bearing with the cold and all the beer swilling on-lookers. Thanks to Sean at The Medicine Agency for supplying the location and photographic assistance. Thanks to Gabby, Glenn and Alma for taking care of all the hair and makeup. Thanks to Aisha for styling the whole shoot. Thanks to Francisco for all your assistance and for taking these photos. Thanks to Andrew, Jason, Rob, Colin, Lincoln, Jason Yim and the other guys who's names I've already forgotten who brought their bikes in for the shoot. Y'all really came through at the last minute.

The next shoot is planned for Tuesday Dec 8th. Please email me if you have a sweet bike I can use for the next shoot. I mostly looking for nice track bikes in smaller sizes. And I'm always looking for new models...

"Rollin' High" Dice Game Release Party!

2009-11-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

Please join me Tuesday December 1st from 7-10pm for the release of the "Rollin' High" dice game at The Medicine Agency, 1262 Mason at Jackson. I illustrated the label artwork for the game. It's cool. For real. We'll have lots of free booze for y'all. We'll also have an SFSS photo booth set up to capture the fresh fashions on the night. Hope to see you there!

SFSS: Some dudes

2009-11-24T17:43:00.001-08:00

Bigmoon, 31, Seoul

Lincoln, 37, SF

Henry, 34, Helsinki

Trees!

2009-11-24T17:41:00.001-08:00

The Divisadero Street redevelopment continues. The city is taking out 35 trees along the Divisadero Corridor and replacing them with 250 trees in new locations along the street. It's gonna look amazing in the Spring...

SFSS: Avery

2009-11-20T19:17:00.000-08:00

Avery, "Timeless", from LA

Avery used to run The Skullz Press.

Now she lives in LA where she works on rad stuff.

Avery rules. Love those shoes!

Acquisitions: My Old Paint Collection

2009-11-20T19:11:00.002-08:00

Some "Blasts from the Past" from my personal collection...

New Road!

2009-11-20T19:11:00.001-08:00

Divisadero just got better! New blacktop! Smooth sailing...

Studio Visitors: Mike Davis

2009-11-20T19:09:00.001-08:00

Mike Davis stopped by the other day. He was in town visiting from upstate New York. Thanks for stopping by, Mike.

Skullz Press Project: SFSS

2009-11-19T10:09:00.001-08:00

Welcome to San Francisco Street Style. I believe San Francisco is the most stylish and sexy city in the world and SFSS is here to prove it! Our hunters are on the Frisco streets looking for you right now. The Skullz Press is currently editing a printed edition of SFSS to be released in the winter of 2010. Many of the posts on this SFSS blog will be featured in the printed edition.

So let's set this off with a few of the fine young women that stopped by the last opening here at The Skullz Press on November 6th.

Allie, 23, SF

Kristina, 22, ESSJ

Laurakim, 22, SF

Buffy, 37, SF

Chelsea, 23, SF

Nice shoes, Chelsea.

We will be announcing special SFSS events over the coming months, so please bookmark us and come back often. Thank you.

-Mike Giant and the Skullz Press staff

Grand Opening of Gallery Heist!

2009-11-10T11:11:00.000-08:00

Please join me this Saturday night, Nov 14, for a special group show at the brand new Gallery Heist. It's at 679 Geary at Leavenworth here in San Francisco. 7-11pm! Be there!

Las Cholas de Frisco: Now Available

2009-11-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

"Karina Two" - 16x24" - Sharpie on matte photographic paper - SOLD

"Karina One" - 16x24" - Sharpie on matte photographic paper - $500

"Aisha One" - 16x24" - Sharpie on matte photographic paper - SOLD

I will ship these UPS ground anywhere in the US. No int'l. Payment accepted via paypal. Please email me for more information.

Studio Visitors: Sarah and Justin

2009-11-09T11:41:00.001-08:00

On Oct 28th, I had two Australian visitors in the same day! Justin Lynch came by.

So did Sarah Lester.
She's traveling around taking portraits of artists. Good times! Thanks for the flics!

Mike Kershnar Studio Visit

2009-11-09T11:36:00.000-08:00

I went out to Berkeley to visit Mike Kershnar on Oct 27th. He's got a chill spot. I really liked it. Tons of rad art everywhere. And great books. I love books.

We'll be working on some stuff together soon...

Death Machines/Life Machines Poster

2009-10-29T14:01:00.001-07:00

Now available! 18x24" silkscreened print on bone colored paper. An edition of 100, signed and numbered.

You can pick yours up for $50 cash here at The Skullz Press. Or, you can paypal $60 to mike@mikegiant.com and I'll throw one in a tube for you and ship it UPS Ground. Mail order is only available to US addresses. Wholesale enquiries also accepted (minimum 10).

Tattooing 101 Video

2009-10-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

This footage was shot while I was visiting the Brooklyn studios of Wes Lang and John Copeland back in April. My buddy Sean Desmond edited it for me. The music is "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain. Enjoy!

Tattooing 101 from Giant One on Vimeo.

Cinelli Catalogs

2009-10-29T13:55:00.001-07:00

The new Cinelli catalogs with my cover illustration are shipping all over the world. Can't wait to get my hands on some.

Preview Video: "Love Walks In"

2009-10-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Skullz Press is currently producing "Love Walks In", a comic book by Anthony G. Morris. We've been friends for many years. I think he's great. Here, he drops some science on the concept for his book...

Anthony - Love Walks In from Giant One on Vimeo.

Studio Visitor: Eric

2009-10-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Eric from Kentucky stopped by the other day. Good luck with architecture school, homie!

Las Cholas De Frisco!

2009-10-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

They're coming to life...

Karina

Krisi

Aisha

Please join us Friday November 6th for the debut of "Las Cholas de Frisco" right here at The Skullz Press. Our doors will be open from 6-9pm for this special First Fridays event. Cheap beer, live music and good vibes will be provided. You'll find us at 260 Divisadero Street in lovely San Francisco.

Mark Whiteley Opening at FFDG

2009-10-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

I stopped by the Fecal Face Gallery last night to see Mark Whiteley's photos, which I thought were pretty cool. Ran into my old pal Tommy Guerrero!

Jessica and John know how to throw art openings. Case in point: Donuts and Beer! Epic combo!

Thanks!

Studio Visitor: Charles and The Barcelona Posse

2009-10-16T17:22:00.001-07:00

My homie "El Gato" came by the studio Wednesday. He took hella flics.

And Chui and crew stopped by from Barcelona!

Good times!

Cornrows!

2009-10-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

Olive stopped by the studio and gave me cornrows!

Feels good!

Photos from First Friday

2009-10-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here's some flics that Merlin Jackson sent me from last Friday night's party.

Thanks, Merlin.

Originals For Sale

2009-09-29T15:31:00.000-07:00

These are the original works I have available currently at Skullz Press. Send me an email for more information.

18"x 24"

9"x 12"

11"x 14.5"

18" x 18"

11"x 14.5"

18"x 24"

11"x14.5"

First Friday of October!

2009-09-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Please join us this Friday night, October 2nd from 6-9pm for a special show of new works by Derick Montez and Mike Giant!

Free beer! Loud music! Cool ass people! We're located at 260 Divisadero Street near Haight, in foggy old San Francisco. Hope you can join us!

Sketch Tuesdays!

2009-09-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

I'll be at 111 Minna Gallery this Tuesday night to participate in their "Sketch Tuesdays" event. It happens from 6-10pm. It's also the closing party for the NeighborhoodSF show that is currently on view.

I'll be selling drawings as I do them. Could be a great opportunity to buy a cheap original. I'll also have copies of the "La Mission" poster available at the event for a special reduced price as supplies last.

Hope to see you there!

Poster Release Party Flics

2009-09-27T11:32:00.001-07:00

Big up to everyone that came to the poster release party last Friday night! Here's some flics...

Poster Release Party!

2009-09-23T18:34:00.001-07:00

Please join us this Friday night, September 24th for some beers and the release of two new posters. First is this poster featuring the sights of San Francisco both past and present.

Second is this "Against the Stream" poster for Noah Levine's meditation center in Los Angeles. Half of all proceeds from the sale of these posters goes to the center.

These posters measure 18x24". They were printed in editions of 100 by Bloom Press in Oakland. They are all signed and numbered, and they're $50 the night of the event.

Hope to see you!

Special Edition: San Francisco poster

2009-09-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

I only have 4 of these espresso stained editions of the "San Francisco" poster available. They measure 22x30". They were printed by Nat Bloom at Bloom Press in Oakland on heavy watercolor paper. They are all finished with matte UV varnish.

They are $300 each here at The Skullz Press. Cash only please. Or, if you can't drop by the studio, I will ship one anywhere in the US for $320. Thank you.

Studio Visitors: Macaframa Crew

2009-09-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

The Macaframa crew was in the house to meet with me about a special project involving this bike...

Divis Art Crawl and NeighborhoodSF Show

2009-09-05T11:10:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone that stopped by for the Divisadero Art Crawl, except for those sketchy fools that spent too much time in the bathroom.

Around 9:30pm we closed the shop and headed down to 111 Minna for the NeighborhoodSF show. I was greeted by this awesome Jeremy Fish piece.

The gallery was packed! I've had a cold the last few days so I didn't last long in the mayhem. The medicine I've been on makes me super tired and I just couldn't hang, bra.

But I did get to see most of the work in the show and I liked it a lot. I'll head back this week sometime for a closer look.

I got a lot of compliments on the drawings I offered for the show. Thanks, y'all.

Wish I could have talked to more of you.

Posters!

2009-09-05T10:41:00.000-07:00

The wall of silkscreened posters is coming together here at The Skullz Press. I found a few prints of some really old posters that I have extra copies of. I've also got lots of the "Mike Davis/Mike Giant" collaborative poster and the brand new "La Mission" poster. Every poster on the wall is $60 cash out the door. I'll even throw it in a tube for you.

If you live outside of SF, I can send you one. E-mail me for more info.

Studio Visitor: Abel

2009-09-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

Peace! Word up, Abel!

Divisadero Art Crawl and First Friday!

2009-09-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Sep 3rd, is the Divisadero Art Crawl. It happens along Divisadero from Haight to Geary. It starts at 5pm and ends at midnight. The Skullz Press will be open until 10pm at least if you'd like to stop by tonight. Around 10pm, we'll likely head to 111 Minna for the NeighborhoodSF show.

Then tomorrow night, we'll have our usual First Friday opening here at the Press, from 6-9pm.

And we'll be open Saturday noon to 7pm as well.

Studio Visitor: Sean

2009-08-31T12:04:00.000-07:00

Sean came by recently to buy the "Death Machine and Life Machines" wooden panel. He was shooting flics with a cool old Polaroid camera. Love that shit...

Studio Visitor: The Convict

2009-08-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

I see this guy outside the Press almost every day cleaning up the sidewalk and collecting recyclables. He's an old Hells Angel that did time in Folsom. We got to talking about tattoos the other day and he let me snap these shots of his arms.

He swears that he didn't pay more than $10 for all of them.

I love old tattoos like these. It shows what kind of detail will be left after a lifetime of abuse.

Susan... she must have been pretty sweet.

Acquisitions: Juan Puente Shader

2009-08-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

I got myself a new shader from Juan Puente. I works SO good.

But still, should I switch to a rotary? I sure like how quiet and punchy rotaries are...

Studio Visitor: Alberto

2009-08-31T11:49:00.001-07:00

My assistant Francisco brought his friend Alberto by the Press recently.

We went for a bike ride and I showed them where to enter the west end of the Dubose Tunnel for some potential graffiti action.

Then we rolled to GG Park for some toking before a short ride around the 'hood.

Living the good life in NorCal...

38!

2009-08-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

I turn 38 this Sunday! I'm stoked I've survived this long. Please join me for some celebratory drinks at "The Page" from 10pm-2am. It's at Page and Divisadero, just down the street from The Skullz Press. Word up!

NeighborhoodSF Show

2009-08-28T09:41:00.001-07:00

“San Francisco is one of the most diverse cities in the world. It’s neighborhoods are legendary and it’s residents iconic. NeighborhoodSF brings a visual life to these places, people and things that create our environment. With over 40 original paintings, illustrations and installations, the artists have created a body of work that is worthy of this great place.”

I hope to see you at the opening of the show this Thursday September 3rd at 111 Minna Gallery right here in San Francisco. I’ll be showing some new drawings and releasing some new posters.

Other artists include: Akira and Helen, Brett Amory, Adam 5100, Eric Bailey, Brian Barneclo, Wesley Burt, Coro, Nate Van Dyke, Jeremy Fish, Adam Flores, Matt Furie, Colin Hill, Jay Howell, David Imlay, Sylvia Ji, Micah Lebrun, David Choong Lee, Ryan Malley, MARS-1, Ferris Plock, Romanowski, and Lee Harvey Roswell.

Studio Visitors: Paul, Brooke, and Paige

2009-08-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

This is Paul. He's one of my biggest fans. He spent a lot of time looking at my wall of inspiration. Guess I would too if I was his age.

Check out his Sharpie skateboard! Sick.

These are his sisters, Brooke and Paige. It was Brooke's 7th Birthday. Word!

Hope your cool dad brings you by again sometime soon...

Jack Rudy!

2009-08-14T13:14:00.001-07:00

I bought this Jack Rudy drawing at The Shooting Gallery recently. So sick! Worth every penny.

First Thursday of August

2009-08-14T13:02:00.001-07:00

Every First Thursday of the month I open the doors of the studio to friends so they can see my new drawings and enjoy free beer and a cool crowd.

This is my new assistant Francisco. He's already doing a great job. Big props.

The San Jose squad are already regulars at my openings.

Mr. Groshong and The Droobs rolled through.

And Joshy and Red were feelin' the good vibes too....

Art Fuel

2009-08-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

People are always giving this stuff to me, which is great. This one was sweet! Thanks!

Studio Visitor: Eric

2009-08-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

My buddy Eric was in town recently and stopped by the Press. Turns out he's an old skateboard head too. Word!

First Thursday and Friday!

2009-08-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Party time! That means free beer, loud music and cool folks here at The Skullz Press.

I'm offering a special opening for the tight homies this Thursday August 6th from 6-9pm. You VIPs know who you are.

The public opening is this Friday night! Same time and place.

I'll be debuting 7 new drawings, including this one...

Hope to see you there!

Mike Davis vs Mike Giant Poster

2009-08-04T15:14:00.003-07:00

I just got 90 of these posters from Mike Davis. I started this one in 2006. I handed it back and forth to Mike a few times and I think we got the final drawing done sometime in 2007. Then I had them printed in Albuquerque and signed them. Then shipped them to Mike so he could add his signature to them. And I didn't get them back until last week. Crazy. These have been chillin' for 3 years!

And now they're only available here at The Skullz Press. They're $60.

Evoker!

2009-08-03T10:22:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the t-shirt and the other stuff, Evoker!

Wall of Inspiration

2009-08-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

Every time I set up a new studio space, I tape up inspirational material on the walls around my desk. Many of the images have been saved from previous studios for over a decade. Some are recent additions. A photo of my friend Dash is in this first photo. He's the fellow with the long hair and big beard. He died recently, just a week or so after I added his photo to my wall. He will be missed...

I caught that upskirt photo on my first trip to Tokyo in '94. It's been on the walls of various studios since.

Check out that OG space monkey!

I see Barbi Benton.

That Terry Richardson photo of the kid with his hand in dude's mouth is one of my favorite photos ever.

This photo was taken about 110 years ago in Florida. It's a powerful image to me because on the one hand it represents the new freedom bicycles provided regular Americans; and on the other hand a young black man is visible behind the group of white cyclists, a reminder that slavery had been abolished for only about 30 years by that time. But the 'separate but equal' Jim Crow laws lasted until 1954, only 55 years ago.

And in the last 55 years, we've come a long way in ending racism. I think electing Barack Obama as our president is certainly a step in the right direction, and a hopeful vision for a truly integrated future.

Studio Visitor: Gabe

2009-08-03T09:50:00.001-07:00

My homie Riel is a regular studio visitor. Check out this dope tattoo on his knee!

"Manifestations" now available

2009-08-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

I now have signed copies of my first book, Manifestations, available for $30.

Studio Visitors: Mario and Ben

2009-08-03T09:41:00.001-07:00

Two old friends came by last week. On the left, my man Mario from Chicago. We've been friends through graffiti circles since '91. On the right, my homie Ben from Burque who currently lives outside Philly. I finished a big tattoo in his head while he was here. I seriously think it's the most gangster tattoo I've ever made. Ill!

Art Party!

2009-08-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mark is back in Denmark now. But before he left he knocked out a bunch of cool paintings and we had a great little party. Here's some flics...

MARK'S GOING AWAY PARTY!

2009-07-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

At the end of the month, my assistant Mark is headed back to Denmark. Bummer.

So please stop by the studio this Friday night from 6-10pm to wish Mark farewell, listen to loud music in the dark, drink free beer, and mix it up with cool people! Spread the word! Let's PARTY!

Also, if you can't make it to the model call this Saturday, come by Friday night and ask me to add you to our casting list! Word up!

Final Touches

2009-07-21T19:08:00.001-07:00

My assistant Mark finished painting the door the other day. It came out great. One Shot paint really did the trick.

My old friends Ellie from ReLoad and Dustin from Cadence stopped by the studio with some Japanese visitors the other day. Ellie is making a custom backpack for me. Sweet!

My buddy Anthony comes by just about every day, sometimes a few times a day. We've been friends for about 9 years. I'm helping him publish his new comic called "Love Walks In". He's pictured here holding the artwork we're using for a promo poster. Anthony rules. I hope to have a video interview with him soon.

My homegirl Hadley came by on Saturday to coordinate the model call. She did an awesome job. We'll do it again from noon to 7pm this Saturday. She'll be waiting for you.

On Sunday Mark started putting up print-outs of the prospective models. We've got over 30 applicants for the project thusfar! Awesome turnout! I'm super stoked. It's going to be hard to choose just 12 out of all these beautiful women.

"Las Chicas de San Francisco" Model Call

2009-07-15T23:00:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 2005 I produced a series of 18 illustrations on photographs entitled "Las Chicas de Burque". My intent was to create a fantasy portfolio of gangster pin-ups that paid homage to the homegirls I saw growing up in the late 1970s in my hometown of Albuquerque, or "Burque" for short. For the finished pieces, I had my digital photographs printed on 18x24" sheets of fine drawing paper and added the illustrations with Sharpies. Here's some examples from the series, which was shown in its entirety at The Lab 101 Gallery in Culver City in November of that year.

So now I'd to revisit this idea, except with a San Francisco twist this time. For the Burque project, I hired 6 models. This time I'm looking for 12 models to complete the project I have in mind. I'm hoping to hire models of all races. I also hope to feature a great variety of different body shapes as well. I also need models without visible tattoos, since I'll be drawing those on myself. And since the whole project is really an homage to the gorgeous girls of San Francisco, I'm particularly looking for natives or long-term residents of the City.

All models need to be at least 18 years old. Semi-nudity may be required in some cases, but nothing more provocative than the examples I provided above. I can pay each model a $400 as a flat day rate.

I will be holding open castings at The Skullz Press studio at 260 Divisadero Street this Saturday July 18, from noon to 7pm. There will be a second open casting on Sat July 25 at the same times. If you can't make it to the studio on either of those Saturdays, or you live out of town and would still like to be considered, for free to e-mail me a few photos and some basic information about yourself. mike@mikegiant.com

Models will be chosen by the end of this month so that shooting can begin in August.

Thanks for your help!

Mediation Retreat

2009-07-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Skullz Press will be closed this Saturday so I can attend a weeklong meditation retreat.

The store will be open again on July 18, from 11-7pm. Hope to see you then.

"Don't believe everything you think."

Back from the Dead!

2009-07-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

The Skullz Press began in 2000. For four years, the Press produced numerous zines, posters, and other printed goods. In 2004, the Press was officially closed to pursue other projects.

Now, after a five year hiatus, The Skullz Press is back with a new home at 260 Divisadero Street in lovely San Francisco, California.

I signed the lease on the space on June 15th. This is what it looked like when my intern Mark and I began cleaning it out on the 19th.

I put some old sketches in the front window to block the view while we fixed up the inside.

On the 26th, Mark and Megan helped me get the first coats of white on the walls.

I got my back into the action too.

On the 29th, my buddy Ethan came by and put up a temporary display wall for me. The same afternoon my homie Francisco put up another display wall and a desk for me in the back.

By July 2nd, everything was ready to go for the private opening for personal friends and associates. The final touch was the stereo, which my buddy Tony and I couldn't get to work. Oh well. Back to that later.

It was a lot of work, but Mark and I were stoked to have friends over to see what we've been up to.

My homie Ramon came through from Santa Cruz.

The ever-popular Rodriguez brothers came down.

As did my old friend Andres, formerly of White Walls Gallery.

Kelly and Ferris were there too. Kelly looks ready to burst!

Lots of other old friends and fans came out, but the photos didn't come out so good. Stupid cameras. In any case, I have to send out a huge thanks to everyone who made the opening weekend such a success.

The Skullz Press is open every Saturday from 11am to 7pm, unless otherwise noted here. Every first Friday of the month, I will hold an opening to debut new original artworks and limited edition printed goods. Check here for the latest offerings.

Thanks.

-Mike Giant