Twenty-One Gun Salute

Description

Twenty-One Gun Salute
New Works by Jared Powell and Ricky Watts

Opening Reception: 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, February 17. Show on display through March 17.

Backyard Boogie
1609 Fourth Street
San Rafael, California 94901
415-256-9483
boogieMARIN.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Twenty-One Gun Salute," new art works by Bay Area artists Jared Powell and Ricky Watts opens Friday, February 17 at Backyard Boogie in San Rafael. This exhibition is a celebration of friendship between the two artists, painting partners for the last 21 years.

Powell, a self-taught artist in multiple mediums, is a tattoo artist at Monkey Wrench in Santa Rosa. He is an accomplished painter and illustrator, showing in galleries in California, Portland and Philadelphia. He’ll display new works on canvas and paper in his unique twist on traditional tattoo flash-style work.

Watts, a 2002 graduate of the Art Institute of California - San Diego campus, works out of his Sebastopol studio as an painter, illustrator and graphic designer. He has shown in galleries around the United States and been featured in international print and digital publications. His latest work, a series of aerosol spray paintings on recycled cabinet doors, will be shown, along with works in spray paint on canvas.


Opening reception is from 6 p.m. to midnight February 17. The show runs through March 17.

Backyard Boogie's mission is to unite people dedicated to changing the world through art, music and food. Specializing in custom t-shirts and apparel, Backyard Boogie works directly with artists to create unique, high-quality products saturated in funk. The self-described hub for funky happenings in Marin County, the gallery exhibits new monthly art, live in-store performances and weekly activities to keep the boogie fresh in the local community. Backyard Boogie is located at 1609 Fourth Street in San Rafael. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Call 415-256-9483 or go to http://www.boogiemarin.com for more information.



From the Artists:

Jared Powell and Ricky Watts met in the fourth grade on the battlefield known as the elementary school playground. What began as after-school bike races and basketball pick-up games took a turn in junior high school when the pair went to Oakland to visit Powell's grandmother. "She knew we both liked art,” Watts said, “so she thought it would be fun to show us the graffiti along the seedy Amtrak line a few blocks from her office. Little did she know she was exposing us to the best--and the worst--thing ever to happen to us as artists. We were blown away: I'll never forget the feeling of looking at those walls. It was intricate and colorful, like nothing we’d ever seen."

The two budding artists became completely obsessed with spray painting. They'd sneak out and paint under the cover of darkness, getting home just in time to shower, grab a bagel and leave for school. They shared ideas, color theories and techniques learned through trial and error. Watts said, “We knew others were out there, but there wasn’t this thing called the Internet where we could access resources available today”

At the age of 16, the duo was nabbed by law enforcement for painting under a bridge near home. "Getting caught was awful. Our parents were angry, we had to go to court and get summer jobs to work off the restitution fees. My dad took my car away and it really changed our outlook on painting," Powell said. After that, they focused their efforts more toward the artistic side of graffiti, working together on large productions and commissioned murals throughout the Bay Area until Watts moved to San Diego to attend art school.

Separated by 500 miles, they kept in touch while following the very different paths their art was taking. Powell moved to Santa Rosa and apprenticed as a tattoo artist. Watts, a graphic design student, worked at a print shop. In 2003, Watts moved back to Sonoma County and they began collaborating again, this time in "live painting" events with the Pacific Art Collective. "Painting there was a great experience,” Watts said. “We got to work together again, and show our art to a whole new audience.”

Today, the two still get together, although scheduling time between their busy schedules is more difficult. Powell works alongside famed ink-zapper Joe Leonard at the legendary Monkey Wrench tattoo shop in Santa Rosa while Watts maintains his freelance art and design business.

"Who would have thought,” Watts said, “after 21 years, we'd still be friends, still be doing art and have an opportunity like this to show together? It's great to exhibit art but to have a show with your first partner in crime is special."

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