As part of their Spring/Summer 2009 Collection, Upper Playground has worked with photographer Ricky Powell. The t-shirt comes in black and white and features a large photo print on the front. The back features the words “Rest in Peace to a great man. We will miss you.”

The t-shirts are now available here. More detailed images follow here.

Another interesting episode comes from Upper Playground’s Walrus TV. This week photographer Ricky Powell interviewed painter Kostas Seremetis. Kostas discusses how he got his start initially as an animator and was rejected from all of the art schools that he applied to – but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream and becoming a successful painter.  Seremetis discusses the importance of painting what he loves  – and that includes super heroes, comic books, sci-fi movies and samurai movies.  The interview is inspirational, gives you a great glimpse into Kostas’ studio and what inspires each piece.

The Upper Playground March series of New Era caps includes three new styles – each featuring the art of 3 San Francisco based artists: Jeremy Fish, Sam Flores and Denis Kennedy.

If you like to have your whole kit match, or if you’re just a big fan of the graphics, the Bee Team and Beat Cycle are also available in tees and hoodies. Jeremy Fish went all out on his superFishal hoodie – the quality is all in the design and details. The Bee Team hoodie features embroidered appliqué, custom printed lining, elbow patches and wooden button details.

All of the caps, hoodies and tees are available at Upper Playground stores in San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and on the Upper Playground Web Store.

Detailed images of the product follows after the jump.

Spring Training starts tomorrow and if you’re not a true baseball fan, you can get in on the action with Upper Playground’s baseball league comprised of vicious characters including Outlaws, Stranglers and Brawlers to name a few. Playing on different pop culture legends and characteristics of twelve cities, the UPLB collection is a tongue-in-cheek version of how UP thinks baseball teams should be branded. The cities and teams represented are: Los Angeles Diablos, Seattle Hoods, Brooklyn Brawlers, Oakland Outlaws, San Francisco Panhandlers, Chicago Racketeers, New York Pickpockets, Cleveland Slingshots, Portland Vipers, Philadelphia Players, and Boston Stranglers. Morning Breath created all of the designs; the hats are made of wool and feature front and back embroidery. The black sheep of all the teams, the Miami Kilos, do not have a 59FIFTY hat because to some companies, cocaine is just not cool. All of the teams have a corresponding tee for men and women and the UPLB collection of hats and tees are available at Upper Playground stores and on the Upper Playground Web Store.

Detailed images of all New Era caps in the collection follow after the jump.

The February New Era releases are here and Upper Playground has two new designs, Sword and Dear Deer. The Sword design is by none other than Usugrow, who is based in Japan and known for his black and white illustrations. The hat features felt appliqué and embroidery on the front and back of the cap. The Dear Deer design features the art of Michael Sieben, a former exhibiting artist at FIFTY24SF Gallery, and features a broken-down yet surprisingly proud deer. The hat is made of cotton duck cloth and features front and side embroidery. Both hats are available at Upper Playground stores and on the Upper Playground Web Store.

Detailed images of the Upper Playground February 2009 New Era caps follow after the jump.

Fresh of his “Ghosts of the Barbary Coast” exhibition at Fifty24SF, Jeremy Fishal has released a co-branded t-shirt with his SuperFishal and Upper Playground. The t-shirt follows the theme of old San Francisco that drove his recent work – all the heroes and harlots of the gold rush era. Shirts come in both men’s and women’s cut.

Two New Eras fill the January line up from Upper Playground. Artists Sam Flores offers “The Copper” via his 12Grain Line. The second hat is a simple affair from Jeremy Fish called “The Emblem.” Both are available online and at select UP dealers.

New hoodies from Upper Playground have released. Artists Jeremy Fish, Sam Flores Morning Breath and Estevan Oriol are represented. Nine new joints in total are out, all available now direct from UP.

Check all the new Upper Playground Hoodies out after the jump.

We’ve seen a few bits and pieces that might be designated housewares from the Upper Playground team. The next in that series is the launch of a series of mugs and glassware. Favorite Upper Playground images are printed to drinking vessels, from coffee mugs to steins to pint glasses. Sam Flores and Jeremy Fish are among the names whose work appears.

Check all the glassware after the jump.

The year ends for Upper Playground with a final monthly drop of New Era caps. Two come direct from the UP design camp. The third, “Bunny Hole,” is from Jeremy Fish. Available online and in all the Upper Playground flagship stores.

Close ups of the December Upper Playground caps after the jump.