If you don’t already know artists Theresa O’Neill and Phillip Martin, together known as Brand US, you should get familiar. Cannedyouth sat down with the artists in their Clinton Hill studio to talk about what inspires them to make great work.

“In terms of work, the dynamics of our work changed when we moved to New York because then it was officially us,” said Phil.  The couple met in Los Angeles, but have since become a fixture in the Brooklyn art community.

 According to the couple the work dynamic is “never boring.” They do everything together from making the frames to stretching the canvases to the painting itself.

 Their art is rooted in their experience in the performing arts. Acting for Theresa and oral poetics for Phil. “For me, my whole frame of reference is as an actor. My passion is telling stories and bringing characters to life and creating a sense of drama and that’s my interest and entry point as a painter,” said Theresa. The couple does portraits because “people are the great stories. We believe in people.” said Phil.

Many of Brand US’ paintings use performance artists of past and present as subjects. Their “Flours” series reference choreographies of subjects like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. They combine traditional stars with contemporary phrases in their “Stars” series. Audrey Hepburn’s ‘What up boo’ and Brigitte Bardot’s ‘Oh Hell No’ all relates back to their fascination with performance art, but combines it with an updated and current sensibility. A viewer once said that if she was in the future and wanted to know what now was like she would look at the couples’ work.

The name Brand US came from the idea that they are building something together. “We started signing everything US,” said Theresa. The couple says that although there are some things one might like to do more than the other, they literally do everything together. “One of the great things about working together is that we get to take credit for each other’s genius,” said Theresa with both of them laughing in agreement.

 When asked what drives them to make work, Phil replies “Life, love…I just don’t know what else I would do…There’s no great chasm to cross. This is it.” Theresa adds that its “a burning need…who really knows where that need comes from all I know is I’m gonna answer the call.”

***Much love and thanks to Phil and T for the interview ! For more info about the artists please visit brandusart.com***

room with an icelandic view

hustle

reykjavik opera house 1

reykjavik opera house 2

mirrored ceilings

sun shines through

iceland

panes

kyle slaps a d’emploi sticker down on our ride to the beach

i love seeing a well occupied bike rack

but a dream

look down as the…

…surf rolls in

fort tilden vibes

bikey hot american summer

bring me back

red, white, & blue

roble loungin’

rogers park

my sister and roble walking to the beach at the end of his street

summer time Chi

one snap to finish

Cannedyouth recommends Shira Toren‘s show GRAPHITE REFLECTION at the Grace Institute until February 15th. I sat down with the artist to talk about her inspirations and the process behind her paintings and drawings:

Cannedyouth: What inspires you to make art?

Shira Toren: Inspiration is everywhere; images enter your subconscious at all times. Some get lost but reappear when I work. A walk in the park, film, art exhibition, or a conversation with another artist, can trigger an idea that forms in your head over time.

I collect small objects: some from nature and some found treasures, antique or contemporary. I also like to keep a few of my favorite paintings around the studio. Often a small section of a painting is an inspiration for new work.

CY: Can you explain your process?

ST: My process is a fusion between drawing and painting. It is an eclectic process I have developed over time and it continues to change somewhat with every work.

After the canvas has been primed with numerous coats of gesso, I apply venetian plaster with a trowel. The plaster mixes with the pigment. This surface is my point of departure.  I use hematite ink, conte sticks and graphite powder to create the illusion of depth and texture. The mineral ink, when mixed with water, follows the brushstroke and deposits pigment at the edges of the line. The graphite markings settle into the plaster while the powder darkens the surface. Each painting consists of many layers and repeated applications until I achieve the richness I desire.

CY: How do you think living in New York City plays into your art?

ST: When you live in a metropolitan city like New York you have access to the most recent work of many artists. It is a hub of ideas and trends. To me, New York is not only concrete and glass. It is also a place for urban vegetation. Central Park is one of my favorites places. I spend a lot of time in Central Park. I love the energy of the city but often travel to the countryside, where I work in a natural setting. I find this balance necessary for my creative self.

CY: Nature seems to be a large influence in your work. What about nature attracts you to it?

ST: Nature has endless surprises. It is always changing: seasons, temperature, and light.  You can look at the larger view, or you can examine small elements. I prefer small objects such as pods, branches, stones, or insects. There are incredible patterns and fractals hidden in it.

CY: If you could have coffee with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?

ST: I have a few art heroes.

Louise Bourgeois for her amazing narrative and installations, as well as the variety of materials she had incorporated in her work: textiles, stone and iron.

Luc Tuymans. I love the relationship between photography and painting in his work and the muted palette he uses.

William Kentridge, whose work combines a political message with a poetic quality. I am in awe of his animated drawings.

Peter Doig. I like his painted surfaces, as well as the use of symbolic imagery.

CY: What would you ask them?

ST: I would feel very humble, I just like to be a fly on the studio wall, watching them work…

***Grace Institute is located at 1233 Second Avenue New York, NY

Also, view the artist’s website: shiratoren.com***

In a weird way, meeting AJ Livingston and Taylor Conklin from Ferris restored my faith in Williamsburg and Brooklyn, as a whole. Sometimes I feel like the luxe high-rises that have been built here have choked the life out of the neighborhood. But, these guys  have the makings of a really great brand on their hands. In short, they are keeping that North Brooklyn DIY dream alive.

I noticed their passion for the label almost immediately. They are quick to tell you about it, as well.  “We love what we do. People come in and we want to share it with them”, said AJ. This is also made obvious by their friendly attitude and approach to the shop.  AJ says, “We want it to be a family vibe. It’s too often you go into these stores, like Supreme or whatever, and the guys sitting behind the desk and you swear he fuckin’ started Supreme because his ego’s so big. It’s like ‘Really? You started Supreme?’ “.

The vibe is definitely different here. It makes you want to hang out and swap boards.  AJ took a spin on mine.

 Taylor lives above the shop with his buddy and there is a glass window into the sewing room in the back, where you can see the guys sew and work on their designs even while you shop. This kind of transparency is rare among streetwear labels and speaks to their honesty and authenticity.

Instead of starting out with just screen printing t-shirts, like a lot of new labels, they use that stuff to support their main focus called deconstructions.  The deconstructions are made up of vintage pieces and fabrics that are rehashed into something custom and unique.

 I’ve seen other brands attempt to do some sort of vintage rehash, but Ferris’ approach is by far the best. “If we made all these clothes from scratch it wouldn’t have the same look.”  The guys use fabrics sourced from fine vintage. The result of the custom designs is forward and refreshing, almost Japanese in aesthetic.

Taylor’s favorite custom designs include  ”Smells Like Teen Spirit”, a vest he made out of a pair of jeans from his high school years, and, his all time favorite labor of love, a combination leather jacket and old weathered American flag. “It was about the color of it, “ said Taylor. “It was this old American flag that had clearly been sitting outside someone’s house for a long time. The color was just perfect and it’s that initial connection and how it just snowballs in your mind.

AJ’s favorite piece so far was made from vintage bandanas constructed into a button down. “It had the coolest Budweiser logos. That’s my favorite.”

When asked what Ferris means AJ replied, “It comes from the ferris wheel and that idea of continuity and youthful rebellion like Ferris Bueller. [It plays into] the vintage stuff and how its flipped and given new life. So, it’s the idea of taking old things and bringing it back around…and Ferris Bueller is just classic. That character alone I feel like represents the brand in so many ways. It’s like ditching school to follow your dreams and that’s what we did.”

There you have it. Following your dreams in youthful rebellion.  The Ferris boys are keeping the dream alive.

*****Thank you to AJ and Taylor for the interview*******

Visit Ferris online at http://www.ferrisnewyork.com/ or in the shop at 243 Berry Street, Brooklyn.

Stephen and I are bikey boys.

Me floating on a sunny winter bike dream.

Flower delivery for Haley girl’s bday.

All smiles on her birthday. Flowers intact.

Stephen Zerbe tuck shop satisfaction pose

Om nom. He likes it.

Shout out to the Details homies!

hearth

Sisi is too cool for brunch

tin cielings

hey girl. chill time.

me flashed out

sisi flashed out

JB gives a skeptical eye

really?

peace!

sweeet life

train travel

train travel deux

marrakech rooftop

fez roof

portal

At Art Basel, its easy to start partying in the sun by the pool and ride the chill vibes into the the art-deco neon lit Miami Beach night. But let’s not forget that its all about the art. If you left with just a tan and little new art knoweldge, then you MISSED OUT, homie.

There is so much art and so little time.  I made it to the main fair, which I wish I could have devoted two days to alone .The Miami Beach fair is the younger  sister to the original in Basel, Switzerland, often referred to as “The Olympics of the art world”. In its 11th year, the Miami Beach fair continues to grow bringing over 50,000 attendees.

Basel was an amazing way to get in on the current conversation going on in the contemporary art world. Some definite trends were script, mirrors, and an undercurrent of disdain for contemporary capitalist culture.

Here’as a peak at some favorites I saw at the 2012 show:

Richard Prince
Millionaire Nurse, 2002
Inkjet print and acrylic on canvas

Katharina Fritsch
Heiligenfigur (St. Michael)/Figure of a Saint
2008
polyester, paint

Mike Kelley

Memory Ware Flat #49

2008

mixed media on wood panel

Tavaras Strachan

(Untitled) Henson, 2012

Collage and drawing mounted on Plexiglas behind a Plexiglas box

Doug Altken

FLESH

2012

LED lightbox

Alora and Calsadilla

Armed Freedom Lying On A Sunbed, 2011

Modified Tanning Bed and 6 bronze

Joana Hadjithomas and Kalil Joreige

Circle of Confusion S/S, 1997

photographic print, repositionable glue, and mirror

Jon Pylypchuk

I Won’t Give Up On You (Installation), 2012

wood, expanding foam, denim, hot glue, ping pong balls, plether, cardboard, zinc, spray paint, latex paint, acrylic paint

Tracey Emin

You Loved Me Like A Distant Star, 2012

neon

Gonkat Gyatso

Meditation on Power, 2012

Acrylic, paper collage, stickers, pencil, marker, and resin on aluminum backed honeycomb panel

Pipilotti Rist

Tosender Speicher (Thunderous Accumulator), 2012

Video installation, 1 flashcard monitor, 1 LCD player, 1 vintage sideboard in laminated wood, miscellaneous objects, LED lights, laboratory glassware with synthetic resin

Sam Durant

Go to Work, 2012

Spray enamel on hand silvered glass

THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT BASEL WITH ME, DUDES.

CATCH YA SOON.

x

CY

Friends and I went to check out DesignMiami. Balloon-y entrance designed by the firm Snarkitecture.

Inside were all sorts of high-end design wares to lust after. Who wouldn’t want a red mustache shaped coffee table?

Or maybe a perspective canine is more your style?

It might be nice to have some fine china engraved with an unknown person’s nostalgia, no?

If there is any design piece I have always longed for, it’s a magnificent chandelier. The bubble one is especially amazing.

I love this digital take on a glass butterfly collection. Watch them spread their wings.

All of these things will fit perfectly into my Swarovski crystal house.

Keep it locked here for more Basel

After a morning of style prep for an upcoming shoot, I was ready to relax and hit the beach for a bit. A New Yorker can’t pass up a chance to bronze up a bit right?

That’s when friend and Timo Weiland designer, Alan Eckstein hit me up to come hang by the pool at The Raleigh Hotel. Stoked to take a dip, I threw on some vintage boardshorts, a Gosha Rubchinskiy mesh underlayer tank, and a Warriors of Radness tank top, and a Supreme cap. I hopped into a cab, and was on my way to the Basel social whirlwind.

Chill pool time was curated by Timo and Alan’s beats.

Alan, Timo, Donna, and I checked out the beach after their dj set.

Life of a fashion designer. Never not working

.

Look up! It’s fly-by art:

(reads: PROTECT ME FROM WHAT I WANT)

(reads: I WISH IT COUDL BE MORNING ALL DAY)

(reads: PEOPLE GETTING READY TO DO THINGS)

MORE BASEL LIFE TO COME. KEEP IT LOCKED ON CANNEDYOUTH.

Good morning! As you can see, Cannedyouth is here in Miami Beach. I’m here not just to show you these views from my room, rest assured.

Last night my compadre Jon and I kicked things off in true Miami style with yoga and the best local Cuban food at Versailles.

Then, we headed over to check out our friends Alan Eckstein and Timo Weiland DJ at the new Freehand Miami Hostel. It is a totally cute place to stay. Plus, It has an amazing outdoor pool and garden that will definitely come in handy for preliminary cocktails this week.

Keep watch for original Basel coverage today as the festivities get underway.