If you’re the type of outside diner to catch a quick bronze while waiting for your chicken parm, you’ll appreciate this new design by artist and illustrator, Hsiao-Ron Cheng. A specialist in combining hand drawn illustrations and digital finishes for portraits, Hsiao-Ron Cheng contributes to the Upper Playground archive with this first design. Here are few questions we asked Hsiao-Ron about her and her work:

UP: Tell us a  bit about your background as an artist.

HRC: Hi I’m a commercial artist based in Taipei, Taiwan. I studied Fine Art in Taiwan University of Art. I quit my day job in 2012 and then only concentrate on my own illustrations since then. I love walking, hiking, traveling, sleeping.

UP: There is a sense of serenity in your portraits. Can you explain the tone and mood of your subjects?

HRC: I’ve always love pastel colors. As for the mood, I think maybe is because I’m a calm person so it reflects on my works.

UP: What is the balance between digital and hand drawn aesthetic in your work?

HRC: I only do digital works, from drafts to final. But I do have experience of making oils, pencil drawing, water color etc. so I’m very aware and know how to make digital works with hand drawn texture.

UP: Where do you find inspiration?

HRC: Pinterest and life.

The Walnuts T-shirt in White is now available online at upperplayground.com:

Artist Mars-1 has been working on a large scale replica of his psychedelic metal sculptures he released through his shows, Toward a Distant Dawn and Momentum in 2014.  Since then he's released various versions of the original sculptures as cold metal casted miniature sets.  But this time he has decided to go all out in scale.  He's been dropping hints on his IG account giving a sneak preview of what they will look like at this year's Burning Man 2015.

If you're at the festival be sure to seek out his striking installations: 

Finally installed:

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Mini Sculptures by MARS-1 at Upper Playground

Happy Accidents Sterling Silver Pendant by MARS-1

Upper Playground just introduced three new hat designs to our New Era Hats Collection. All three color ways are available as a fitted hat or as a snapback hat for all discerning tastes. Take your pick in store or online at upperplaygound.com.

Check out this time-lapse video photographer Gareth Gooch made of the recent Sam Flores and Ronnie Budders mural on Linden Street in Hayes Valley, San Francisco. The project was coordinated by William Buckley of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association and supported by Fifty24SF Gallery in association with Upper Playground.

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Sam Flores Starts New Mural In Hayes Valley – San Francisco

Upper Playground is excited to announce the new Foldable Solar Charger with MOLLE compatible straps for attaching to backpacks, gear bags, belts, etc. These MOLLE Solar Chargers will charge most mobile phones in about 1-2.5 hours in direct sunlight. They are perfect for hiking, camping, a day out at the park or on the boat. Details include: 4 Solar Panels, Rated Output: USB 5v/1000mAh out, Folded Dimensions: 24 x 13 x 4 cm. Available now at upperplaygound.com.