Studio Number One

«Curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back.»
Shepard Fairey’s art has always intrigued me. His mixed media pieces are my favorite. In it’s entirety, it is admirable work but taking a much closer look is where I find the beauty. He has this layering technique that he does with ripped pieces of paper that becomes the canvas for his stencil, which are also layered on. Whether it is methodical or sporadic, I dig the outcome. So, when I was given the chance to tour Studio Number One, it would have been foolish to decline.
The studio is actually pretty large. At ground level, the halls are a little narrower and majority of the rooms facilitate homes for obey stickers or posters. The ground level is also connected to Subliminal Projects Gallery. The second floor is much more spacious. Upstairs is where the offices are. It is where Shepard Fairey and his team do work! The entire upper level is bright and the windows are almost the size of the walls so it lets in a lot of light. The halls exhibit obey are, both solo and collaborations. I actually was able to see Shepard’s first stencil he ever created!
Everyone was super nice and it was a little surreal seeing Obey prints everywhere! There were idea boards with what was launching the next season of Obey clothing and I saw the actual material Shepard uses to glaze over his collage pieces.
I enjoyed the tour very much. I don’t know if the studio is open to the public. I was fortunate enough to have a friend that works with Mr. Fairey. If you get the opportunity to take a tour, take it! The studio is like a gallery within itself!

I was very excited to learn after Thanksgiving that we (myself and the band I work with) would be visiting Studio Number One. I am an art lover especially that involving pop culture. I love me some Warhol, Basquiat, Bansky, and now I was at the home base of Shepard Fairey. As you may imagine the studio upon approach is a mere brick building but inside all of walls are covered in his pieces as well as others and a beautiful gallery downstairs. Touring his workshop was quite the experience as originals of nearly everything I have seen of his was in there beautifully framed and exhibited from skateboards, to mixed media, and of course the infamous Obama Change poster that is pictured and signed by the man himself.
My favorite section of the Studio was the main office. From floor to ceiling it is teaming with his own personal collection of wonderful art collected, done himself, or given to him as a gift. There were some great pieces and action figures but the one that stood out the most was a fabric piece given to him by Castro. Amazing amazing stuff.
To the good people at Studio Number One I had a great time and thank you for the hospitality. Everyone there was incredible, helpful, and willing to share. A must see in SoCal.