In a fitting tribute to legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix ahead of the 50th anniversary of The Summer of Love, a new mural of Hendrix painted by Bay Area artists Ernest Doty, Max Ehrman, and Sean Griffin, adorns the wall of the Red House in San Francisco’s ever-colorful Haight District. Photos by Manic Streets.
March 12, 2013
In 2017, San Francisco will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Summer of Love, and with it the artistic renaissance of the hippie movement that began in summer of 1967. The Haight-Ashbury district was the center of it all, alive with music, psychedelic drugs, marijuana, sexual experimentation, political extremism, beatniks and hippies. It is a neighborhood that defines the culture of our city and where many people are still drawn to, longing for a glimpse of a memorable moment in San Francisco history.
Visitors to the Haight can walk by “The Red House” which sits above a smoke shop near the famous intersection where Hendrix reportedly lived with his girlfriend. The neighborhood was the stomping grounds of epic musicians including Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, who all chose to live close to the famous intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets.
To reflect and honor the summer that will always be remembered, Bay Area artists Ernest Doty, Max Ehrman, and Sean Griffin undertook a mural project to celebrate a memorable time in history by re-doing a portrait of Hendrix on the side of the Red House.
Sean Griffin, aka “Griffin One,” took on the challenge of replicating this iconic legend and dove head first into the project. Starting early each day carrying supplies and inspiration to the roof, Griffin said, “It is a great honor to have had the opportunity to paint a piece inspired by and dedicated to Jimi Hendrix, with fellow artists in such a great location. We felt it was important to try and capture Jimi’s essence and keep his electricity alive in such a historic and intergalactic place like the Upper Haight.”
Ernest Doty stops for a minute to look down at the colorful street on the roof of the house that is still painted red. With the Twin Peaks tower visible in the background, Doty looks over at the house that was the inspiration for Hendrix’s blues song, “The Red House.” Doty is a passionate street artist who seeks justice and vision in his pursuit for more wall space. He maintains a surreal pop-art style that is always politically and environmentally motivated. He is constantly pursuing to not be comfortable and always have a message behind everything he paints. When you see his work, you may love it or hate it, but you will remember it.
Max Ehrman, otherwise known as his graffiti name “Eon75,” is a freelance designer, architect and artist. Although Ehrman’s formal training is in architecture, over the past few years he has focused more on his career in art. Residing in San Francisco, Ehrman’s art is heavily influenced by organic, natural forms that are clearly seen in the psychedelic elements of this mural.
These three artists met while participating in East Bay’s “Special Delivery Show / Endless Canvas 2012” and connected with each others styles and personalities. They have since collaborated on many projects. For this particualr project, the design created was perfect for the Rock legend. It is psychedelic, bold and exudes royalty while reflecting the colorful history of the Upper Haight.
“The Red House Project” was funded by these artists and they are eager to paint another mural on the other side of the house. If you would like to donate and support these artists to do a mural at the Red House, to be enjoyed by many for years to come, please contact Rachel Michelle at Rachelmichelleartadvisor@gmail.com.
Photos:
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- Working through the night.
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- Ehrman, Doty and Griffin.
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- Street view.
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- Haight and Ashbury streets corner view.
The Hunger Site
November 17, 2014 at 10:32 pm
The hendrix”red house” is a scam. The song has nothing to do with San Francisco, much less the haight. And as for all those bands choosing to live near that “famous” intersection, get real. That intersection was near the cheapest working class neighborhood in the city and the summer of love turned it from lower middle class area into a junky ridden shithole within 4 years. It stayed that way for damn near a decade. Now the haight aint nothing but sad outdoor shopping mall, hawking lame tiedies, smelly incense and shitty drugs to tourists… ohh yeah, the horrible street kids and their dogs crapping all over is a selling point… stupid haight, stupid summer of love…
February 12, 2014 at 4:35 pm
I live in this house and had no idea about any of this. I’m surprised no one contacted the residents of the building. I’m betting we would have chipped in…
March 25, 2013 at 12:15 pm
So great to read about some new art in SF, really exciting to see this coming together. Fantastic article, thanks for doing such a great job of passing along news like this Rachel!
March 18, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Love It! I’m in Awe by Sean Griffins Art! Every time I see a mural of his, or one he is part of, I think to myself that it just can’t get better than that, and as always I am astonished by the next one he creates! I’ve been following his work for more than a decade now and I just know 500 years from now kids in Art school will be studying his Art and Vision! He’s simply an inspiration to anyone with a can of spray paint in their hand!
March 18, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Excellent write up! Wonderful to see these fabulous Bay Area artists getting the recognition they deserve! I am always grateful to live in a city where public art is so widely celebrated. Kudos to Griffin, Doty and Eon75 for this stellar flagship piece!
March 16, 2013 at 10:58 pm
Love this!!! Great writing, beautifully captured photos of the progression / transformation of this historical landmark known as “The Red House.” Overwhelmed by the talent of these Bay Area artist!! Cant wait for the next article!!
March 16, 2013 at 5:09 am
Great article..!! i love that mural, so much better than the last one that was up there! What would it take for you to a commision a mural on the side of my store and in the front..ive heard you have a client list of artists and would love to set up an appt. to look at your portfolio-show the the space and we can hopefully work together soon! Thank You..message me privately at chickenmctofu@msn to chat more..!!
March 13, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Awesome article! Definitely gave me a new insight and appreciation for what we all have the privilege to see everyday! Its a beautiful world in which the artists of today can continue and evolve the inspiration of yesterday’s artists. Thank you for your article!
March 13, 2013 at 1:25 pm
Thanks Rachel, we are so blessed to still have such talent in our city sharing their work with all of us regular folks, Mona Caron is another. I read recently about a group that is trying to restore and preserve the murals in the Mission and elsewhere, would like to see a piece on these efforts?
March 13, 2013 at 6:51 am
Thanks for giving props to some of Oakland’s finest painters!
March 12, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Fantastic article again Rachel.
This one tho i enjoyed the most. As someone mentioned the introduction of the artists individually was sublime.
Love how they met. And may I add that when i see this mural from the Goldcane especially at dusk it just glows. Truly beautiful work!
Again great article.
March 12, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Great Article! Looking forward to the next one…can’t wait to see this beautiful piece of art in person.
March 12, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Mural looks great! Looking forward to seeing it for real.
Great article!
March 12, 2013 at 2:41 pm
another fantastic article Rachel! I always enjoy reading them. it was nice to read a short section on each of the artists and be able to link to their sites. great photos – what a part of history. looking forward to reading your next article!
March 12, 2013 at 2:04 pm
looks alot better than the old mural that was there..love it