Nujabes, aka Jun Seba, RIP

Through a post by Out of Place artist, Lavit Sea, who found out via MC Shing02, I found out today that late last month, producer Jun Seba, better known as Nujabes (or the guy who produced the soundtrack to Samurai Champloo) passed away from a fatal car accident.

Nujabe's music is a staple of late-night painting sessions in the Monkey + Seal studio, and his passing (although we never personally knew him) is a hard reality check. Death, for Monkey, is the harshest reminder that you never really know when your time is up, so all you can do is live life to the fullest, follow your dreams, and do your best not to live with regrets.

You can leave a comment here, if you wish. Nujabes, you will be missed.

Eve on MYX Channel

Eve Skylar (aka Seal) got some facetime on MYX, an online tv channel about "Asian, Independent & Mainstream Music Videos and Lifestyle" as she was interviewed as part of Hyphen magazine's Trailblazing Issue Release party where she was live painting. You can see her here at about 1:04, talking about her inspiration for the piece, her interpretation of "trailblazing," and plus you get see her painting in action!

Woo! Go Seal go!

Thank you everyone!

Monkey + Seal would just like to give a big, loud "Thank You" to everyone who helped make Out of Place's opening such a fantastic success. We sold some original art, had some good drinks, caught up with old friends, are some awesome cupcakes, and had an overall amazing time.!

Special thanks go out to the great staff at SPACE Gallery, Chelsea and Charlie (our amazing doorpeople/booth vendors), DJ Zaion for providing the awesome music, Hyphen, SF Zine Fest, and AATC for being our media sponsors, and of course our talented group of artists.'

We also wanted to thank all of our family and friends for making it out, buying drinks, and telling all your friends. We wish we could have spent more time with you all, but it was great getting to see all of you and we hope you had a great time!

Paper Hat Productions features: Out of Place!

Tonight is the Out of Place Art Riot Extravaganza!!!!

Hey everyone! We're super excited and busy taking care of last minute details for our event tonight! Monkey + Seal are super excited and can't wait to see you there!

We thought we'd share some info with you, like directions on how to get there as well as the schedule for the night!

If you've never been to SPACE Gallery, check out this handy-dandy map here (complete with nearby banks). It's located near the 19, 2, 3, 38, and sorta by the 1 Muni lines. It's at Polk between Sutter and Hemlock (right by the Hemlock tavern and across from Ozone Thai).

IMPORTANT: The bar is cash only, so if you want to avoid using the ATM and getting charged the service fees, make sure you bring some cash (or take a short hike to the nearby banks) to sample their awesome cocktails and tasty selection of beers! (On that note, don't forget the event is 21+).

7pm-7:30 - Artists reception - mingling, drinking, hanging out with people (this part is free!)

8pm - Doors open, swag is passed out, people get first raffle tickets. We'll be taking suggestions for themes/subjects for the team art battle from you, the audience!

8:30pm - Teams and theme is announced, artists split up and get limber for the battle!

8:45pm - Team Art Battle begins!

10:00pm - Battle continues, DJ Zaion starts his feature set.

10:45pm - The Battle ends.
11:00pm - DJ Zaion finished up, and voting is open!

11:20 pm - Voting closes!
11:30 pm - Winners will be announced!

Woo! We're super duper excited and can't wait to see you all there tonight! Huzzah!

Paper Hat Productions Features: Monkey + Seal

Only 2 days left until the Out of Place Art Riot Extravaganza!

As the curators and participants in the upcoming Out of Place group show, it's time to feature: Monkey + Seal :P

First off is the ever talented Eve Skylar (aka Seal) who is an amazing painter/concept artist/illustrator who is 50% of the Paper Hat Production team.

Hailing originally from Long Beach, California, this feisty artist cites classic literature, contemporary Japanese environment artists, and social issues as her inspiration.

Using extensive reference and research, Seal meticulously paints her captivating backgrounds, often with a sense of mystery and loneliness. She'll be the first to tell you that her paintings (along with research) have taken upwards of 50 hours to complete, but all that time is definitely worth it!

The other 50% of Paper Hat Productions is Rick Kitagawa (aka Monkey), who is an painter and illustrator that looks to pop culture, internet memes, and issues that affect the Asian American population as inspiration for his often humorous critiques on life.

Examining the interplay between text and image, Rick often enjoys giving a voice to the subjects of his paintings, whether it be inanimate objects, mythical creatures, or figures who are sometimes obviously upset with the way they are painted.

Additionally, as a printmaker, Rick enjoys exploring different mediums, and his combination of screenprinting with interactive sculpture will be on display at the gallery.

We'll see you in a few days!

Paper Hat Productions Features: Jonas Madden-Connor and Xiau-Fong

4 Days left until the Art Riot Extravaganza!


Jonas Madden-Connor

Today we're having a double-header of epic proportions! Paper Hat Production featured artists Jonas Madden-Connor and Xiau-Fong Wee!

Jonas Madden-Connor

Jonas Madden-Connor is an award-winning illustrator and comic artist who is the creator of the 2008 Isotope Award-winning comic Ochre Ellipse. Original pages from Ochre Ellipse #3, one of the best comics Monkey + Seal have the privilege to own, will be on display as part of the Out of Place show this Friday. Also, some awesome watercolors will also be on display and for sale.

Xiau-Fong Wee

Xiau-Fong Wee is an emerging painter whose dark, yet inviting work are masterful examples of classic training mixed with a creepy reimagination of the world. Along with her paintings, she'll also be selling some silkscreen prints during the Art Riot Extravaganza!

Xiau-Fong Wee

Paper Hat Productions Features: Francois Vigneault

Today's Paper Hat Productions' spotlight shines on the witty, ever-talented Francois Vigneault. One of the lead organizers of the San Francisco Zine Fest, this zine-producing, comic-creating, illustrator will be showing a series of illustrations painted on book covers, offering new takes on classic works of literature. Check out more of his awesome work over at his publishing company Family Style or at www.tourdefrancois.com.