Upper Playground is proud to announce the release of a new design by Artist, Josh Ellingson, now available online at www.upperplayground.com.

Josh Ellingson creates unique designs and illustrations for brands, publications, and galleries worldwide. His artwork is often described as graphic and bold, drawing inspiration from world of pop-art, technology, and the absurd. He releases this week, The Burger Walrus design along with a few questions we threw his way:

1) Is there a story, special message, or feeling your are trying to convey with your tee design?

I was trying to find the hidden pathway between terror and hunger. Can something be both majestic and absurd simultaneously? Also, I like hamburgers and walruses.

2) What was your all time favorite tee shirt you ever owned?

I’ve had a lot of great tshirts. I think my favorite was from San Francisco Polka/Punk icons “Polkacide”. It was a skull and cross-sausages. I wore it ragged and then bought another one. It’s totally destroyed now too.

3) What do the words Upper Playground mean to you?

When I first heard about “Upper Playground”, I thought it must be a skate park or a record store. There were just these giant photocopies pasted up around town with a walrus on it. It was mysterious. Then, when the store opened on Fillmore I was like, “Oh, these are some nice sweatshirts!”. So, the art comes and goes, but I was really struck by the quality of the clothing. So, when I think about Upper Playground my first thought is that it’s going to be warm and it’s going to be mysterious.

Upper Playground, as I’ve come to understand it, is now a well curated gallery cleverly disguised as a clothing store. Instead of canvases, the spotlight is on hoodies and tshirts. They’re taking the art world to the cleaners, literally.

Come visit the Upper Playground merch tent while you’re out enjoying the festivities at Outside Lands this weekend! We’ve got all kinds of products from gloves, scarves, t-shirts and hoodies. We will be set up all weekend from Friday, August 8th until Sunday, August 10th! So stop on by and pick up some new gear.

If you can still live in SF these days you probably have too much money or maybe not enough. You also probably prefer your New Era’s in snapback or fitted. Whatever the case, we have you covered. Check out our new $F DOLLAR and UP SCRIPT New Era Caps now available at Upper Playground:

 

 

Upper Playground and Sam Flores is proud to release this week the TIGER KIDS limited edition laser etch print on solid wood.  These rare laser etched wood panels with classic Twelve Grain art work by Sam Flores have been beautifully produced ready to be hung as is. The solid birch wood frames are 8×10 inches by 1-5/8 inches deep and have been hand stained and varnished with care.  Only 30 of these wood panels were produced, individually signed and numbered by the Artist. They will be available starting July 23rd in store and online at www.upperplayground.com.

As Upper Playground celebrates its 15th anniversary, our radical neighbors DLX Skate Shop celebrates 20 years here in San Francisco. These two stores deserve a pat on the back for continuing to serve radness to its loyal customers, fans, and neighbors all these years. To help celebrate our anniversaries, both brands combined forces to create the Upper Playground x DLX “Walrus Cruiser” skateboard. Designed with love by a long time friend of both shops, artist Jeremy Fish. What could be more fun than shredding a little walrus around town while celebrating two legendary local retail establishments?

Please join us for a Pizza Party to celebrate our collaboration sponsored by Upper Playground, DLX Skate Shop and Golden Boy Pizza:

When: Thursday July 31st, 6-8PM
Where: DLX Skate Shop on 1831 Market Street

If you haven’t yet picked up one of the Walrus Cruisers, there’s still a few left online or in store at our SF Shop on Fillmore.  Visit upperplayground.com or click right into the Walrus Cruiser image below for more info: