Other artists blazed the trail that brought graffiti from the urban landscape into galleries. But no street or graffiti artist who came before Barry “Twist” McGee had executed the transition with such finesse. Born in San Francisco in 1966, a city he continues to make his home, Twist began painting graffiti in 1984 at the age of 18. He began showing his work in local galleries, slowly building a following, and, in 1991, he received a Bachelor of Fine Art in painting and printmaking from the San Francisco Art Institute. This was quickly followed by grants and fellowships—one notably sent him to Brazil, where he observed clustered framed artworks displayed in churches. McGee incorporated this presentation style into his art shows, which brought a kinetic, urban immediacy to the staid gallery space.

Read the rest of the interview HERE

RETNA WRITES:

"I recently went down to go chill with the southern birds they let me play in their ocean for a bit here are a few snaps….Got to see the Fam Ewok, Liz ROC, Mr. Tenore, Dmote, Cricket, Kelsey Brooks, and the rest of the RVCA camp.."

 

 

 

 

 

 

RETNA WRITES:

I just got back from hanging with the RVCA fam. I was invited to come paint the new training facility for the BJ PENN camp, as he is in the midst of training for his upcoming fight. It was an honor to come hang and paint a Roll Call of all the fighters and people who are affilated whom make everything possible down there. My VA motha LIZ ROC took care of me as always, and got to see George, KC, Kevin Ancell, Pm Tenore, and the rest of the RVCA players. I think I can move down to Costa Mesa / Newport one day, seems like a nice way of life.

It starts out ;

RVCA . VA . AWR. MSK. RVCA. VA. CLUB. CA

BJ PENN.JD PENN.REGAN PENN.PARILLO.UNCLE RUDY. TRACTOR. VITOR BELFORT. DR. G. SUGAR SHANE NELSON. IRON CHEF EVAN. KJ THE POET. PM TENORE. RICHIE RICH. VA . DIAZ BROS. LUCAS. MAKUA. LEO VIERO. RV. JOHNSTONE. FRANCO. ANTONI. HENRY. APPLE. KRON. YVES. GORMAN. PETE ROCK. PUNKER. BRADLER. EMERSON. MC CULLY, YOUNG SEF.

Then I painted a wall behind the ring that reads:

RVCA. WE ARE A BROTHERHOOD OF AN ANCIENT TRADITION OF OUR ANCESTORS WHO FIGHT WITH HONOR AND RESPECT FOR OUR ADVESARIES ALTHOUGH WE HAVE COME TO HUMBLE YOU. DONT TRIP. VA

BRIMSTONE.

BEHIND ME STAND A HUNDRED MEN, WARRIORS OF THE AGES, THROUGH OUT THE STAGES OF OUR LIVES, WE HAVE SPARRED AND BRAWLED OUR WAY TO VICTORY, WE STAND AS ONE TIMELESS MOVEMENT, NOW LETS BEGIN THE RITUAL OF OUR FATHERS AND BROS. MANO A MANO.

Then My friend Young Sonia, came to visit me and took me to chill on the beach and relax the mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trailer for the film You Scratched My Anchor. Featuring - Alex Knost, Ratboy, Scotty Stopnik, Kassia Meador, Jared Mell, Tyler Warren, James Reed, Brian Bent, Jai Lee and Mitch Abshere.

Hey Everyone,
Tomorrow night if you are around come by and watch Mitch’s new film.
Bring a towel or a chair- we will also have a BBQ going.

Best always,
Liz at RVCA.com