Mike Bam of Hawaii

Mike "Bam" Tyau has been one of my best friends since we were 18 (long time, don't ask). He was one of my best bombing partners because if either of us got the vibe, we would tell each other and get out of there, no questions asked. We would scope out a place, and sit in the bushes like ninjas for 45 minutes before we would hit a spot, just to be safe. Needless to say I never got caught with Mike.

When we were young, Mike was an inspiration to me to get better at my art. He could smoke me at painting, drawing, and airbrushing without even trying. He had that natural talent. I didn't have that, but his talent pushed me to work harder on my skills to catch up to his level. For that alone, I will always be indebted to him.

We still talk almost every day, and he's become a vital team member of our Estria Invitational Graffiti Battles. Mike is the embodiment of loyalty. He is the kind of guy whom everyone takes an instant liking to. He loves his wife, family and dog dearly, and is an inspiration to me as a person.

For the last three years, Mike has rediscovered his passion for art, and man is he back with a vengeance!

You can see Mike's work inside and out at 1:AM SF Gallery now until October 10, 2009.

Visit his website miketyau.com

1:AM SF Gallery
1000 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94127
www.1amsf.com
www.twitter.com/1AM_SF
(415) 861-5089


Characters by Bam, lettering by me, during a live demo painting in Hawaii's battle, 2009


Spray Can Ninjas in Chicago, with Rome Won and I, 2009


Wave and Koi at Sand By The Ton party in Oakland 2009


'Koi Girl' by Bam and I, Oakland 2008


This was Mike's first character in San Francisco, gaining him instant recognition as a talent to be reckoned with. 1986


'Technostyle' by Bam, Man 45 and I. This is before we had phantom caps. 1987


Close up of Mike's chrome exploding robot. 1987


'World Peace' by Bam, Slick and I, at the Spray Can Art book celebration. Photo by Jim Prigoff 1988


Close up of Mike's section. Check out that skinny cap action! 1988


'Renaissance Men' by Bam and I. On the last day we got chased and never finished the background. This was for the battle between our crew, Together With Style, and TMF. This was arguably the most amazing battle between production crews in San Francisco. 1988


'Spray Can Man' by Bam 1988-89


'Fireman' by Bam 1989-90


'Geisha Girl' by Bam, probably his most famous piece in California. 1990?

Graffiti Series 2009: Don't Sweat the Technique 9/11-10/10

Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle Presents:
Don't Sweat the Technique

The Graffiti Series 2009 Events:
Ode to the Spraycan Art Show Sept 11 - Oct 9
The Can Film Festival Oct 8
Pecha Kucha Night Oakland Oct 9
3rd Annual Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle National Finals Oct 10

The full in info is at estriabattle.com




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Annual Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle National Finals at Life Is Living
Sat, Oct 10, 11AM-5PM

deFremery Park
1651 Adeline Street, Oakland, CA 94607
FREE Family Event

24 of America's most talented Graffiti Artists in a live painting battle.

Contestants (confirmed to date):

1. Bounce TYS, 2008 & 2007 defending champion
2. Doves FC, 1st place Harlem
3. Vogue, 3rd place Harlem
4. Ckaweeks, 1st place Honolulu
5. Prime, 2nd place Honolulu
6. Ozwego, 3rd place Honolulu
7. Jash, 1st place Chicago
8. Dime, Visual Element
9. Katch
10. Refa TNS
11. Vyal One
12. Twick ICP
13. Drama DE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't Sweat the Technique: Ode to the Spraycan Art Show
Sept 11 - Oct 9

Opening reception Sept 11, 7PM

1:AM SF Gallery
1000 Howard St., San Francisco, CA
1AM gallery

Featuring over 25 artists of the Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle

California: Neon, Bounce, Chez, Vogue, Eon 75, Germz, Vyal, Refa, 357, Ceyba
Chicago: Rome, Tsel, Chucho, Melon, Debl, Like
Hawai'i: Katch, Estria, Eukarezt, Ckaweeks, Prime, Bam
New York: Wane One, Doves, Cern, Queen Andrea, Cekis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't Sweat the Technique: The Can Film Festival
Thurs, Oct 8
6:30PM open, shows start at 7PM

1:AM SF Gallery
1000 Howard St., San Francisco, CA
FREE event

Style Wars, Bomb It
Q&A moderated by: Jeff Chang
Panelists: Kevin Epps, Suzie Lundy, Erin Yoshioka, Estria Miyashiro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pecha Kucha Night Oakland
Don't Sweat the Technique: Graffiti for Social Change
Fri, Oct 9, 7PM

Eastside Cultural Center
2277 International Blvd., Oakland, CA
www.eastsideartsalliance.com
$5 at the door

Host: Weyland Southon & Maisha Quint

Presenters:
Jim Prigoff, author of Spray Can Art and Graffiti New York, (release date 10/1)
Brett Cook Dizney
Marc Bamuthi Joseph/Bethanie Hines
Steve Grody, author of Graffiti LA
Spie TDK
Erin Yoshioka, Trust Your Struggle
Nancy Hernandez
Estria Miyashiro
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Estria Invitational Graffiti Battle Activities at Life Is Living:

Book Signing by James Prigoff & Steve Grody

Visual Element Blackbook Battles

Stencil T-shirt Workshop by Nancy Hernandez

Graffiti Canvas Display

This will be the 1st public release and signing of 'Graffiti New York' on the west coast!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FREESH MENS & WOMEN'S WEAR FASHION SHOW ... GPO NIGHTCLUB. BODY ART BY SUDSY ... MX MAGAZINE COVERAGE.

Queen Andrea of NYC

Andrea von Bujdoss AKA "Queen Andrea" is a native New Yorker who was raised in the vibrant Soho neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City.

Andrea's passion for urban art and graphic design surfaced at an early age. In the early 1990s, she began to learn graffiti history and developed important friendships and mentoring relationships with some of the most notable New York City old school graffiti artists, like Reas, Ket and Wane One.

Queen Andrea competed in the our New York battle this past May. She also designed our flyer for the Oakland finals.

Visit her website superfreshdesign.com

Check out Queen Andrea's artwork in our EIGB-MTN art show at 1:AM SF Gallery.

Show runs until October 9.

1:AM SF Gallery
1000 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94127
www.1amsf.com
www.twitter.com/1AM_SF
(415) 861-5089





As a young adult, Andrea attended Parsons School of Design where she earned her BFA in Graphic Design and graduated with academic honors. She then began a successful Graphic Design career, working for well-known brands who appreciate both the urban creative flavor of her work and her versatile and passionate knowledge of typography, branding and visual communication.





Andrea has curated and exhibited in numerous exhibitions in NYC.
As a die-hard New Yorker with a good sense of humor and an appreciation for the art of life, Andrea strives to create art and design that is culturally memorable and powerfully communicative.





These days, she is one of the most traditionally skilled female graffiti artists in the country, possessing an explosively creative style inspired by the excitement of the urban landscape. Her custom lettering portfolio has grown beyond graffiti and is a comprehensive collection of letter studies and design explorations. She has been featured in art shows, toy shows, magazines, books, fashion lines and brand collaborations.

From the Vault: 2003 Montreal Stylz

I first started taking notice of graffiti in 2003 when I moved downtown. I was living on the Ottawa Street at the bottom of Peel in Griffin Town. Besides a general interest I needed a focus for my academic work and decided that graffiti would be it. I took to the streets as often as I could and whever I could tracking through the city, alleyways, rooftops, highway system, anywhere and everywhere I saw a hint of paint.

Most of these pics were taken at night with a pocket digital camera as it was the only time I was able to roam about aside from work and class. For the most part the pics came out ok. Some good stuff here from a few local hard hittin' bombers and crews, and some stuff from outta towners. In any case enjoy.

Stay posted. I got lots more in the vault.