Unexpected Guests: Jamie Alexander.

Thrift Store painting.

I'm very excited about today's visit because, well, I've been lucky enough to round up San Francisco gallery and shop owner and curator-extraordinaire, Jamie Alexander of Park Life, a small independent retail and gallery space based in San Francisco's Richmond district. Jamie and I cross paths often it seems while out and about in the city, and I was so excited when last I ran into him, he said he'd love to be a featured guest on Unexpected Guests! I love Park Life and the great energy they have helped to infuse into good old fashioned Clement Street. Now, when I hit my favorite Chinese markets, I can get my art on, too! Jamie and his wife are the proud new parents of baby Hank, and he's shared his amazing art collection with us today...thanks so much, Jamie! Prepare yourselves to swoon and emote great bouts of jealousy. For more on Park Life upcoming shows, and their online shop check these links.

Chris Johanson print.

What is your idea of a perfect day in San Francisco?
A day without meter maids.

Clare Rojas print.

What don't you leave home without?
My glasses, for viewing.

Margaret Kilgallen Linda Mar etching #edition of 30, 1999.

Andrew Schoultz acrylic on wood, 2007.

What's your favorite local shop?
The Other Shop on Divisidero. And on Clement Street…Super Tokio and Kamei Restaurant Supply.

Barry McGee 4'x8' painting on billboard.

What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
I can jump real high.

Chris Johanson painting, 2003.

Clare Rojas 33"x43" acrylic on wood.

Who are your favorite artists?
Ed Ruscha, Willem DeKooning, Jules De Balincourt, Peter Doig, Barry McGee, Margaret Kilgallen, Philip Guston, Kara Walker, Marcel Dzama, Chris Johanson, David Shrigley, William Eggleston, Diane Arbus…

Andrew Schoultz Schoultzloneelphant.

Barry McGee gaouche on paper, 2004.

Where do you find inspiration?
Movies, lit, people, art, food, design, architecture..not in that order.

Marcel Dzama litho.

Who do you admire and why?
Grade school/high school teachers.

Barry McGee acrylic on paper, 2005.

What's the last great book you read?
The new George Saunders book is pretty good.

Kyle Mock acrylic on paper, 2006.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
I can’t take a decent photo to save my life.

Matthew Palladino watercolor on paper.

Who would you like to sit down for a beer with?
The guy who writes the Do’s and Don’t’s for Vice Magazine.

Marcel Dzama small painting.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
My old diesel Mercedes.

Baby Hank, born 2007.

What is your most treasured belonging?
Baby Hank (born 12/11/07).

Jacob McGraw.

Jason Jagel.

What's souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
Unintentional sand.

Paul Wackers 30" x40" oil on wood.

Greatest indulgence?
Buying art that I can hardly afford.

Ben Peterson drawing/painting on paper, 2007.

What is your idea of living hell?
Another Bush presidency.

Andrew Schoultz 3' x 5' painting on wood, 2006.

What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
PaintersNYC - hilarious erudite pontification on art shows; MySpace/Kathy - blow by blow of the hipster NY art world; BldgBlog - so original.

Barry Mcgee 5" x 7" painting on paper, 2006.