bl!sss magazine | march 2015 | #91

W W W . H U R L E Y . C O M

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J U L I A N D A V I D S O N

I N D U S T R Y

E V E N

D U S K

K E L S E Y B R O O K E S

N A T U R E

O D D

D A W N

T H E B A L A N C E O F O P P O S I T E S

R V C A . C O M

F E A T U R E D A R T I S T

K E L S E Y B R O O K E S

The RVCA Artist Network Program is an ongoing venture which aims to showcase the talent of accomplished as well as emerging artists who inspire our generation and push the boundaries of creativity; providing something of substance and culture.

J U L I A N D A V I D S O NS I G N A T U R E C O L L E C T I O N

F E A T U R I N G A R T B Y K E L S E Y B R O O K E S

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I L I K E T O C A P T U R E M Y T R A V E L S , M Y F R I E N D S , T H E V I E W S I G E T T O S E E ; J U S T E V E R Y T H I N G A R O U N D M E . S E E T H E R E S T O F T H E I N T E R V I E W A T Y O U T U B E . C O M / A R N E T T E C O N N E C T W I T H U S | A R N E T T E . C O M | @ A R N E T T E

I L I K E T O C A P T U R E M Y T R A V E L S , M Y F R I E N D S , T H E V I E W S I G E T T O S E E ; J U S T E V E R Y T H I N G A R O U N D M E . S E E T H E R E S T O F T H E I N T E R V I E W A T Y O U T U B E . C O M / A R N E T T E C O N N E C T W I T H U S | A R N E T T E . C O M | @ A R N E T T E

2015

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CONVERSE CONS KA3 LUNARLON SOCKLINER

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PUBLICATION AND/OR PRINTER NOTE: The material for this printed piece is to be examined carefully upon receipt. If the material is deficient or does not comply with your requirements, please contact the Production Department at Nemo Design immediately. If fonts have been included, they are to be used for this job only and immediately deleted from the vendors computer system upon completion.

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BL!SSS

RANDOMS // 32PRODUCT REVIEW // 38KIP OMOLADE // 40KEVIN PETERSON // 42SETH ALVERSON // 44CELESTE BYERS // 46MATT BIOLOS - SHAPER PROFILE // 48AXEL VOID - MURAL OF THE MONTH // 50

THE FROG HOUSE - SHOP OF THE MONTH // 52INSTAGRAM // 54SUPER TASTE // 58HURLEY AUSTRALIAN OPEN OF SURFING // 60VOLCOM PIPE PRO // 62BROOKS STERLING // 64JOSH LOVE // 66BEAU FOSTER // 70THE ART OF BRENDAN MONROE // 76SEAN MICHON // 82FASHION // 90

SPRINT US GRAND PRIX 2015 // 94CLUSTER WORLD PREMIERE // 98THE POD - KEVIN ANCELL & KELLY SLATER // 100SHAUN WHITE PRESENTS : AIR+STYLE // 102EL GATO CLASSIC // 104BODY GLOVE GROM AND RETAILER EXPERIENCE AT OFF THE WALL // 106KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK INTERVIEW WITH BRETT MORGEN // 108MUSIC REVIEWS // 110GROMS // 114 Artist: Brendan Monroe

T H E B A L A N C E O F O P P O S I T E S

R V C A . C O M

S15 Photo ...Julian BermanPattern Photo ...YOMAEzekielusa.com

All WeHave Is

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Disclaimer: Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/or factual errors which may occur on a monthly basis. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers for unsolicited materials/articles/letters/advertising and all submissions will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright and/or appropriate licensing purposes subject to Blisss right to edit and comment editorially. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine refl ect the opinions of their respective authors and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. Blisss Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising matter which may refl ect negatively on the integrity of the magazine. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or electronic] without prior written consent from the publisher.

If your favorite shop isnt receiving BL!SSS Magazine please contact [email protected]

MARCH 2015

ED ITOR - IN -CH IEFnick [email protected]

EDITORjoey [email protected]

CREATIVE D IRECTORmark paul deren : [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITORspencer [email protected]

EDITOR AT LARGEliz rice [email protected]

SNOW EDITORjon [email protected]

MUSIC ED ITORmax [email protected]

ADVERTIS [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSJason Kenworthy, Dominic Petruzzi, Daniel Russo, Toby Ogden, Tom Carey, Brian Beilmann, Jack Coleman, Andrew Mapstone, Adam Moran, Dave Nelson, Pat Eichstaedt, Julien Lecorps, Ryan Boyes, Zach Hooper, Tim Peare, Michael Lallande, Bob Plumb, Peter Morning, Bryce Kanights, Arto Sarri, Anthony Acosta, Cameron Strand, Brian Fick, Deville Nunns, Gage Thompson, Derek Bahn, Tom Cozad, Robbie Crawford, Ryan Donahue, Joe Foster, Sean Sullivan, Delon Isaacs

CONTRIBUTORSWillie Marshall, Daniel Russo, Jason Arnold, Greg Escalante, Nathan Spoor, Tom Carey, Travis Millard, David Choe, Kai Garcia, Mickey Neilsen, Peter Townend, Hamilton Endo, Tawnya Schultz, Mike Murciano, Geoff Shively, Casey Holland, Steve Stratton, Robbie Sell, Andrew Miller, Pat Towersey, Raul Montoya, Ian Dodge, Richie Olivares, Eric Meyers, Kelly Shannon, JP OlsonBL!SSS Magazine

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Newport Beach, CA 92663

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ARTIST: BRENDAN MONROE

Once upon a hell of a time.Our 50 years of innovation has helped us perfect what really matters

amplifying the thrill of human experience. Introducing the Tioga from the Archive Collection, originally released in 1991.

The experience is everything.

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amplifying the thrill of human experience. Introducing the Tioga from the Archive Collection, originally released in 1991.

The experience is everything.


amplifying the thrill of human experience. Introducing the Tioga

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Arnette just signed a bright young star from our area in super grom Tyler Gunter. Tyler has come a long way in the past few years, going from a little micro-speck riding waves at 54th to now where hes charging everywhere from the North Shore to San Francisco and beyond. He even had a pretty harrowing experience in Hawaii this winter when he had to swim in after breaking his board at maxed-out Pipe. Luckily, Mick Fanning was there to lend him his board and help him in. Tylers got a great attitude and we look forward to seeing him blow up further and rocking Arnettes epic shades in the process. For more on Tyler and the rest of the Arnette team visit arnette.com.

Captain Fin may have begun as a brand that broke the mold and redefined what surfboard fin designing is all about, but these guys have come to succeed at everything they delve into. Wetsuits, shoe collabs with Vans and other soft goods have been catching our attention. This time theyve introduced a line of boardies just in time for the warmer weather and beach days ahead. One in particular, the Finapple boardshort, has us digging their single fin/ pineapple infused pattern ideal for anywhere your waist can wiggle you to. Go to captainfin.com or stop by your local dealer to get outfitted in Captain Fin style today.

We got some insanely awesome new accessories from super salesman Joel

Olenick and the crew at SP Gadgets. There are a lot of GoPro and other POV accessory companies out there, but these guys are clearly at the forefront as far as quality, reliability and

the depth of products they have in their line. Everything from cases thatll stash all of your cords,

batteries and other camera equipment safely and securely to poles, mounts, lights, adapters and more.

SP Gadgets adds more function to your image capturing whether youre an amateur photographer or someone

whos doing it to pay the bills. Check their gadgets out at your local retailer or visit sp-gadgets.com.

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Spring is in the air! I know what youre thinking, What happened to winter? Well, we didnt have much of one, but thats ok because warmer and longer days sit better with us. Cutlass recognizes how special the beginning of spring is and theyre throwing a party in honor of the first day of the season. The party will be going down on Friday, March 20th at Lido Live (formerly known as the Lido Theatre) in Newport Beach. Live music from Seedless, The Originalites and Snakebit Drifters will be on hand and its guaranteed to be a grand time for all. Party starts at 8 p.m. so dont be late, and remember your IDs, as this party is 21 and up!

cutlass spring party

sp gadgets

arnette x tyler gunter

finapple boardshort

nike free sb

Nike never ceases to amaze with the quality of style and performance they blend into each new model of shoes they put out. Lately, weve been rocking the Nike Free SBs and were hooked. Whether youre skating all day, wearing these to work or just simply hanging out in them we know youll be extremely satisfied. They feature groundbreaking flexibility and comfort that give ultimate board control, and they come in everything from poppy green, red and blue color ways to a low-key grey. Make sure to try some on next time youre in the need of some new kicks. We have a feeling you may not ever want to take them off. Visit your local shop or nike.com.

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We just got ourselves a few bars of Byrds all new Soap on a Rope, and we must say that the office is smelling a lot better now! Their Soap on a Rope is a welcomed addition to other Byrd grooming essentials. Its perfect for your hair, face and body and is easy to hang. Their Cloudbreak scent will keep you invigorated with freshness all day, and the soap itself is fortified with coconut oil, aloe vera gel and sea salt. The best part is that when youre done with all the soap you can reuse the rope as a leash tie for your board. Its just another way Byrd is creatively keeping surfers slick and clean. Visit your local shop or byrdhair.com.

soap on a rope

Heres a brand thats catching the attention of just about anyone and everyone whos seen or worn their products. Richer Poorer is the California born-and-bred brand we speak of, and theyre continually on a mission to create distinctively patterned, high-quality socks for men and women as well as boxer briefs for men. They compliment the relevant street wear and action sports lifestyles of today while acknowledging their humble beginnings and the stories they continue to accumulate along the way. Through this unique combination comes gear that stands out amongst the rest, and were excited to see what they have in store for all of us next. Visit richer-poorer.com to peruse, shop and keep up on the latest.

richer poorer

Josh Kerr has been placing in the top ten on the World Tour for the past three consecutive years. With his free surfing being equally as impressive as his contest work, its no wonder that an eyewear company like Raen would add him as a brand ambassador. To further prove that its a match made in heaven, Josh and his family live just down the road from Raen HQ. Weve recently seen a few clips of Kerr rocking the all-new Vale frame from Raen and they are top of the line in style and craftsmanship. Look for Josh to be rocking them post-Snapper heats on the Gold Coast, and make sure to click to raen.com to view new frames and team news.

raen welcomes kerr

There are a lot of reasons why we were excited to see Lira come out with this new safari style hat, the Insider Boonie. First off, we like being protected from the sun as we spring into this time of the year and encounter long days at the beach where keeping in the shade is a must. Plus, the Insider Boonie brings out your jungle side a bit with a pattern that places you right into some tropical zone with waterfalls and perfect surf just around the bend. Lastly, being made out of 100% cotton this hat is something youll want to keep on wearing even when the sun goes down and the night moves come out. Look for the Insider Boonie at your nearby shop or head to liraclothing.com.

insider boonie hat

Depactus is the brand that encompasses all of the best of Where Land Meets Sea, and this past month they hit core shops all over with their line of both land and seaworthy products. The White Caps hooded windbreaker is one Depactus item weve had our eyes on, and we must say that its the perfect bridge between fashion and function. On the boat, the shore and in unpredictable weather, this lightweight hooded windbreaker keeps you properly cocooned. With sealable hand pockets, adjustable hood draw chords and boasting the same strong materials used in making parachutes and yacht sails, this jacket is a reliable addition to anyone who pursues extraordinary ventures. Visit depactus.com for store locations, to take a look at their line and to view more on their men of extraordinary pursuits.

depactus in stores

arnette x tyler gunter

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BOHNAM

Its award season, and even surf brands get to enjoy some red carpet and trophy holding time. This past month the SIMA Awards went down with everyone gathering for the event at the Grove in Anaheim. Big winners on the night included Volcom who took home Womens Apparel Brand of the Year and Boardshort of the Year, and Vans won Footwear Product of the Year as well as Mens Apparel Brand of the Year. The Roark crew was awarded Mens Marketing Campaign of the Year for their Volume 7: Rocketship to Reykjavik and Vissla won for Breakout Brand of the Year. Congrats to all who were awarded on the evening and to everyone in our industry for putting in hard work year in and year out!

sima champs

Just like other amazing skate photographers, Jake Derwen has a way of creating a unique perspective with every image he takes. Element just released a series of t-shirts called The Darwen Perspective which features the Circle Gap and Wallride, two black-and-white photos of his. The Element perspective is an on-going series, which highlights some of the most iconic photographers in skateboarding and the lifestyle surrounding it. Right now you can get both of Darwens tees at your local shop or online at elementbrand.com.

the derwen perspective

Nathan Fletcher is one of our all-time favorite surfers. Everything from his outlook on surfing and life to the way he rides waves is pretty damn exciting. Thats why were excited to announce the debut of his new NF boardshort with Vans. The new shorts utilize Vans Sturdy Stretch 4-way stretch fabric that makes for a functional, performing boardshort in the water and a comfortable, wearable short on land. The NF boardshort comes in Native American-inspired color schemes and patterns grabbing from Nathans family heritage. These boardshorts are coming out just in time for the onset of spring, so make sure to grab a pair and rock what Nathan Fletcher has devised for us all to enjoy. Visit your local store or vans.com today.

nf boardshort

You may have noticed in the past month or so that Florida-born ripper Eric Geiselman has changed main sponsors and is now reppin the Vissla sticker atop his board. Hes the perfect addition to the team, as he is not only a phenomenal surfer but also a skilled guitar player and skateboarder to boot. EG was put on the Vissla roster just in time to bust out a few clips for their newly premiered Palmera Express film, which is worth a view. For more on Eric, team Vissla and to watch Palmera Express visit vissla.com.

vissla x eg

Theres a new Sheriff in town and he goes by the name of Papa Pancho. Papa Pancho will be dishing out the best tacos and coldest beer in Orange County and can be found literally right next door to the BL!SSS headquarters [407 31st Street, Newport Beach, CA]. His home is the Wild Taco, brought to us by founders of Bear Flag Fish Company, so you know its gonna be great. The best thing is, by the time this ink is hitting your fingers theyll be open for business and dishing up the good. Go ahead and tell them the BL!SSS crew sent ya and if Papa Pancho likes you, the first rounds on him, orale.

wild taco

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Interview: Liz Rice McCray

Will you tell us about your photorealistic paintings and chrome sculptures? I think I should start by stating that my paintings and sculptures are part of a larger context called Diovadiova. Diovadiova is composed of the words, dio (the Italian word for god) and diva (the Greek word for goddess), and its meaning is togetherness. My Diovadiova Chrome oil paintings study color, psychology and contemporary notions of beauty using a highly detailed yet minimalist style. The Diovadiova Chrome sculptures explore immortality through a luxury-branding motif. Together my paintings and sculptures look at the universal masks we all wear in society. Would you say the process is labor-

intensive? Will you give some insight and explain the steps of creating these paintings?Yes, the process is labor-intensive and involves making a mold of each models face, reworking the cast plaster sculpture, producing a version in resin and adding a chrome layer with artificial eyelashes. The final sculpture then serves as a model for the hyper-realistic oil painting. I compare the process to historical life/death masks that were originally reserved for the famous and infamous. However, with Diovadiova Chrome, I am using women of color, who are usually ignored in Western art when it comes to subjects of beauty. Can you tell us a little bit about your childhood and your original attraction to art?One of my first attractions to art was a Spider Man meets Man-Wolf comic

book my mother gave me when I was about six years old. I didnt make the connection that Peter Parker was Spider Man, and because he wore a mask I could imagine myself taking his place. At the same time, I realized the action and drama was created by a bunch of drawings. As a result, I was inspired to be a comic book artist. In spite of this, a Marvel Comics internship shifted my views as I became more interested in underground comics, which allowed more freedom and ownership. What are some of your consistent influences?My influences include Takashi Murakami, Lisa Yuskavage and Rembrandt, but I describe my Diovadiova Chrome paintings as Andy Warhol meets Jeff Koons meets Essence Magazine. You were born in New York? What

neighborhood would you call home and why? I was born in Harlem but spent most of my life in Flatbush, Brooklyn. As a teenager in the 80s, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the birth of hip-hop movement where there was an explosion of talent everywhere. My friends and I would rap, break-dance, DJ and do graffiti everyday. In fact, many of my sensibilities as an artist come from a hip-hop approach where you dont limit yourself by labels; you just express yourself to the fullest. Where can people check out your art?I am expecting some upcoming shows this year so readers can check my website www.kipomolade.com for updates.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.

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Words: Marieke Treilhard

An accomplished hyperrealist painter, Kevin Peterson captures the intimacy of highly detailed portraits set against the anonymous urban sprawl of the cityscape. With an attentive psychological subtlety, he creates works that are emotive, introspective, and haunted by the suggestion of narrative. The contradictory pairings in Petersons paintings are deliberately staged, heightening a sense of irresolution and poetic tension. He often portrays children and wildlife in gritty urban graffiti marked

spaces, antithetic pairings that deepen our sense of the subjects dislocation. Despite this cultivated uneasiness a quiet optimism prevails in Petersons imagery, as his portrayals of the displaced, faced with imperfect or degraded urban environments, retain their innocence in spite of their worn surroundings. Suggesting both survival and the triumph of the individuals strength, his works are empathetic portrayals of the meek. As the title of the exhibition suggests, Peterson offers us glimpses into the aftermath and detritus of unknown trials and tribulations.

Peterson completed a BFA at Austin College in Sherman, TX in conjunction with a psychology degree. His highly detailed paintings are primarily oil on panel, though at times the artist incorporates mixed media elements as well. A sense of solitude permeates his works, as the protagonists are generally isolated and seemingly suspended in a dream-like state, highlighted by the marked absence of others. Innocence coexists with wear and urban exhaustion in these paintings, a connotation of use the artist builds through beautifully rendered graffiti elements and

stark urban architectures. The presence of a displaced nature, often in the form of wild itinerant bears or hyenas, is an equally erroneous element staged within abandoned industrial spaces and debris. Each opposing element works as a foil to its polarity: the wild vs. the urban, innocence vs. degradation, sadness vs. hope, effectively capturing a sense of the psychological conflict, and human struggle, inherent in the existential journey.

See more of Kevin Petersons art at kevinpetersonstudios.com and on Instagram @kevinpetersonart.

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Interview: Liz Rice McCray

When asked, What do you do? how do you answer?Well, I try to avoid situations where I might be asked this because its always an awkward position to be in, but it all depends on whos asking. If I look around and I see a lot of khaki, I usually say Im a curator for a private collection. It comes with a salary, health care, and a 401k, so the conversation is smooth no confused expressions or eye rolling involved. Actually, I say this to everyone. If anyone ever asks if I make art, I say yes. Then they ask what kind of art I make. Then I think about being at home. I dont know what comes out of my mouth after this because I usually blackout. Your art really conveys emotions... and it surprised me when viewing your portfolio the feelings that arose. Will you tell us about your subject matter or lack of subject matter?Oooh, I wanna hear about the feelings that arose. Youre leaving me hanging. I have questions for YOU now. I want to know more that would be interesting to talk about. Ill try to answer this question without that information though.

You can interview me next, so tell me about the subject matter.Im not committed to any one identifiable subject matter. It seems that my work circles around the feeling of being trapped in a body and a place that Im not particularly fond of. I dont feel like I belong here. A little while ago I was making pictures that dealt

with prisons and mazes, which is an obvious metaphor for being trapped or unable to escape my circumstances. Recently, Ive been making pictures that somehow conflate the figure/ground relationship maybe in a psychological effort to merge with my surroundings and not feel so disconnected. I think of these pictures as landscapes, but previously all sorts of things have been used to scrutinize my outlook furniture, prison busses, mattresses, pillows, and even film stills. My work is basically therapy for an emotionally stunted misanthrope. The fact that you reproduced copies of all your work that didnt sell from a previous solo show, then re-showed them, intrigued us. Its an honest, interesting reaction, and it seems to be confronting so many different emotions, failures, disappointments, with a different perspective forcing yourself and the viewer to revisit. Will you tell us about the viewers and your gallerys reaction?On a superficial level I just felt sorry for the paintings that didnt get a home, so I wanted to make a twin for them to hang out with while they sit in storage. Of course, theres more to it than that in the long run. I thought it would be fun to challenge what I saw as the motivations for making paintings in the first place. I frequently see people make the same thing over and over again because it sells. Like, they kept throwing noodles against the wall and that was the one that stuck, so they just keep it going until the well runs dry. Thats a shtick, and I hate those. So I decided to do the opposite. I wasnt

really confronting anything like failures or disappointments because I never expect my work to sell. I dont measure success by those premises anyway. I just wanted to question the reasons for why people make art and why people buy art.

It was difficult for the gallery to get behind it because I think they thought it was some sort of criticism of their ineptitude at selling my work or their perceived savvy in the art world. I understand that, but that had nothing to do with it. I wasnt making fun of anyone but myself. The reactions I got from viewers were all pretty positive. I had some nice conversations with some really cool people, and thats all Im really hoping for. That show didnt sell either, but I dont have the patience to make triplets. Where do you find scenes to paint from?I covered some of this in the question above about subject matter so Ill try not to be redundant. I used to paint almost exclusively from photographs I found on the Internet or elsewhere. I would stumble across some image that made me feel uncomfortable and then I would compulsively need to examine it. That trajectory led to many questions that I felt needed to be confronted. After a while it seemed like the found image, other than being well-trodden territory, was a way for me to shirk some kind of responsibility. Like, if I made a picture that was problematic, the burden of justifying it was shared between the person who took the photograph and me. Sure, I chose the image, I decided to paint it in some fashion, but Im not totally culpable because Im just

pointing out the awkwardness that already exists in society. Then, I realized it was all about my own problems to begin with. So I started moving away from found images. First, by painting from memory an image I had already seen to see if I could infuse it with my own perspective. Eventually that led to abandoning all of that and just painting things from my imagination. Every once in a while I need some help from actual observation. Long story short, I really just follow my nose and land on something that has meaning to me. Two truths and one lie about you?In no particular order: Im getting really tired of the old lady across the street yelling at her dog all day long. I actually love dogs emphatically, but that one has to go. I prefer the sound of leaf blowers to the hot air across the street. Not to be depressing, but when it is all said and done how would you like to be remembered?I would like people to remember me as a loyal friend who stood up for his principles. Im sure the people who know me will remember me for lots of things, good and bad. But I hope that one makes the list. Where can our readers check out more of your art?This is an easy one. I keep my website updated regularly, so you can always go there and see what Ive been doing. Thats at www.sethalverson.com.

Thank you for taking the time, Seth. I really enjoyed interviewing you.

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Interview: Liz McCray

When asked, What do you do? how do you answer?I tell people I make art and that I have been doing so while traveling a lot for the past couple of years.

Music, animation, film, painting, drawing, murals, and sculptural installations You have your hands in many things, so how do you explain your well-rounded past and art? There are so many possibilities to what you can make I cant imagine sticking to one. There are new skills to learn, materials to explore, emotions to express using different mediums Singing and writing for me is more about emotions, painting and drawing

more about communicating images in my mind. They compliment each other and build off each other. Ill either get inspired by something beautiful and want to try it or start doing something

new on accident, like this painting Im working on right now. I built a 10.5 x 7 surface to work on and I intended to approach it like a mural and paint it in a few days, fast and bold, but at this point Im two weeks deep and only halfway done and am trying to realistically render these giant hands after taking days to paint African and Mongolian patterns Ive never done anything like it, and its good that I accidentally fell into it because its going to be a new achievement for me. Its so necessary to continue learning.

How would you put into words your present? Im currently sitting in the backseat of my cousins car driving from San Francisco to San Diego. We just ate

Thai Food after visiting the amazing Elephant Seals who live south of Big Sur and ran into a street performance where these two guys were juggling flaming torches back and forth while balancing on a 5-foot tall unicycle and ladder.

How would you like to see your future develop?Id like to hang out in nature more and work on developing more peace in my mind. This has been becoming more crucial to me lately because its just as important, if not more important, as eating well in order to stay healthy. With my art I want to work on bigger projects and different types of projects with people in fields I dont have experience in, like geology, taxidermy, metal work, farming, politics, dentistry, horse whispering, anything new, while continuing to make lots of art that brings more joy and inspiration to people. Itd be nice to find a place I

love and want to be based out of that is amidst the wild and a new culture to learn about.

What are you currently working on?Along with working on the giant painting I mentioned, Im working on some smaller paintings for a group show at Inner State Gallery in Detroit this March, a painting of my mother as a child to give my grandma for her 91st birthday, and a music video for a San Diego band called Other Bodies.

Where can people check out your art? You can find murals Ive painted in Mexico (Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Mexico City), Sri Lanka (Colombo), Australia (Melbourne), and California (San Diego & San Francisco). My work can be found on the Internet at celestebyers.com and on Instagram @celestialterrestrial.

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RESQWATER

There isnt any other shaper more revered in the world right now than Matt Biolos. Hes outspoken, opinionated and even downright cynical at times. Where do you think the name Mayhem comes from? We misspelled his last name a few months back and thought for sure we were going to see his wrath, but it never came. Maybe he doesnt read this mag, who knows? All of that aside, he will absolutely make you a magic board, and with it youll find a renewed love for surfing and instantly become an addict after ordering and riding his shapes. These are just a few reasons why most people like and/or respect him and his board building bravado so much.

Biolos is an extremely hands-on business owner with Lost Surfboards, and it shows in the

finished product and success hes had over the years. The driving force may be the excitement he has in seeing team riders thrive on his boards in contests and free-surf settings, or it could be the diverse models he unveils season after season that cater to everyone from the Tajs and Mason Hos of the world to the frothed-out groms and weekend-warrior types. Then theres his attention-to-detail side that has him picking the cream of the crop glassers, sanders and even resin wizards/board painters such as the Lucky Bastards. Basically, once hes done with it a high-quality board awaits you. He makes everything from a 52 Couch Potato to a 76 Double Up, and anything in between. Well, almost anything sorry, longboarders.

Matt began sanding and shaping surfboards straight out of high school in San Clemente at Herbie Fletchers Surf Shop. At the time, to supplement for a lack of orders, he painted boards for guys like Christian Fletcher and Matt Archbold. Over the years he began shaping more and more boards, getting feedback and insight from local shapers and surfers like Cory Lopez, Chris Ward and Shane Beschen, to name a few. The Round Nose Fish, Scorcher and Rocket models were just the tip of the iceberg as to what the Lost Surfboards lineup has come to be today. Now, youd be hard pressed to find a serious surfer, pro or not, who hasnt tried one of his boards. The one thing that can be noted through all of his success is that Biolos isnt satisfied. His forte is that of the high-performance short

board and thats why pros flood him with orders when the tour stops in San Clemente. But hes not sitting on some high perch ready to retire and bask away in gluttonous glory. Instead, hes fine-tuning old models and even strengthening his weaknesses. Hes not afraid to ask for help and advice either, having recently picked the brain of fellow shaper and friend Chris Christenson in building a few new heavy-water 9+ guns.

Above all else, Matt is a family man whos all about providing. He has a way with words, hence the occasional Instagram sonnets he puts together. And we have a feeling he will most likely scoff at the way this piece was written about him, but oh well.

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This months Mural of the Month is (Life) by Axel Void, located in Chennai, India. The title life is written in Tamil. We caught up with Axel Void while he was painting abroad and he gave us some insight on his recent work. Axel, thank you for taking the time... you are very inspirational. BL!SSS readers, make sure to check out all of Axel Voids recent series done in India at axelvoid.com/category/mural.

This wall is part of the Mediocre series. This mural is situated in the main entrance of the Greenways Train Station. It shows the portrait of Krishnaveni, an old lady that sleeps and lives right next to the wall. This station is a very live and particular place. It has the train tracks crossing over a very polluted and dirty canal, a corner where alcoholics often hang out, a small temple directly on the side of the river and vendors along the street that sell food and flowers. It also conforms the entrance to one of the slums, in which the wall is the first thing they see when they come

out to the street. Even though this may seem like an ominous scenario, it is quite the opposite. In the week that Ive been working here, Ive learned that its a very charming and warm space, where every person has clear and honest intentions.

This mural is not about poverty. Often in Chennai, its traditional to paint the figures of politicians and actors in order to idealize them. But this mural is about people, and how we all share space and time. How we interact and coexist with each other. From the homeless to the people waiting to catch their train, to the taxi drivers that wait there

for endless hours to the kids coming and going to school on their way to catch the train to go back to their houses, to Krishnaveni, who passes her days sitting in the same corner and watching life pass by, apparently oblivious on the outside but quite present inside. It seems like they are all watching time pass through a different perspective, with one common denominator, which is Greenways Station.

More of Axels work can be seen at axelvoid.com, facebook.com/axelvoid and on his Instagram, @axelvoid.

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Maybe its their ever-changing placard with satirical sales pitches causing the average passerby to breakdown with laughter, or their iconic parking lot mural that currently portrays a possessed frog boosting in a maelstrom of psychedelic lava waves. Or maybe its the fact that youre bound to see a shirtless Beho inside and smell a worn-in mixture of Sex Wax, neoprene and Firewater instantly when you walk through the door. Whatever it is, theres something that makes the The Frog House the be-all and end-all for what a real grassroots surf shop should be.

Situated off of PCH in Newport Beach just a stones throw south of the Santa Ana River Jetties, the The Frog House has been around for 53 years. If the walls could talk

theyd reveal all sorts of stories of parties, nakedness, shoplifting attempts and epic lunch surfs. But just leave the storytelling to owner TK Brimer, because the man knows how to tell a damn good tale. Hes as animated a human as you could ever come across, and he absolutely loves to surf, going 15-18 days in a row at times. It keeps me young, he says. I dont have to grow up. With his sidekick (and first hired employee) Mikey Beho and the rest of his eclectic workers on hand, theres always laughter, streaking and interesting activities aplenty going down in the Froghouse, a.k.a. TKs Man Cave.

For all of the fun and games though, the The Frog House is an establishment thats maintained its renowned status due to its strong roots with companies. They were

the first account to carry Volcom, Bob Hurley treats them like kings, and so on. Theres also a strong family aspect in the shop. TK loves his employees and they love him back, as the average employee stays around for about 15-16 years. And theyre not burned out on working either. Instead, theyre pumped to show customers a good time while offering them knowledge and making sure theyre satisfied whether they purchase something or not. When you walk into the The Frog House youre not going to be talked down to or treated as though youre less than anyone else in there. Instead, the whole staff is of the self-deprecating type and will take pleasure in informing you while making you crack up at their own expense, whether youre a shop grom, a mom or a displaced tourist. Im in the business of

being honest, personal, forward and open, TK says. And there are those customers who dig this approach and those who are turned off by it. Either way, its a method that has gotten The Frog House to where it is today. And when you look at the surf industry today and how its being dragged toward the corporate side of business, its assuring to know that a shop like the The Frog House exists. Its a shop thats continuing to churn out the best in surf hard goods while maintaining a core vibe that references the past, and it features a crew that leaves you with a smile every time you exit their door. Next time youre in the area stop on by at 6908 West Coast Hwy in Newport Beach or call them at 949-642-5690. You wont be disappointed.

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CARVE_BLISS_AD APRIL 2015.indd 1 25/02/2015 8:42 am

W W W. E R R E S S H O E S . C O M

Photography: Dominic Petruzzi @domincipetruzzi domicpetruzziphoto.com

Model: Kara Del Toro @karajewelll :: Agency: Elite Models

Hair & Makeup: Jasmynn Nichole @jnicholemakeup

My older brother once told me that, The only thing Texas is good for is steers and queers. Ive waited a long time to argue this comment, and I believe Kara just very well may be the tipping point. Texas born and bred, this beauty relocated to LA to pursue her modeling career and has been dropping jaws ever since. The perfect blend of class and beauty, southern drawl meets city living, cowgirl at the beach and it doesnt get much better than that. So there, Texas is good for something else, if not just the lovely Kara Del Toro.

Kolohe Andino :: Photo: Callum Birch

Ryan Callinan :: Photo: OwenMateia Hiquily :: Photo: Owen

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Jono Schwan:: Photo: Cameron Markin

Kanoa Igarashi :: Photo: Surf Love

Stu Kennedy :: Photo: Callum Birch

Photo: Jason Corroto

Its the equivalent of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, but with a fan base that seems to be much more savvy to surf culture. The Hurley Australian Open of Surfing was the premiere kickoff event of the 2015 World Surf League season, with every top-tier competitive man and woman surfer converging on Manly Beach looking for that early season result to boost momentum.

The first few days of the event saw clean but tiny surf making it somewhat challenging for competitors. But lets be honest here, no matter how weak conditions are, there are always a few WOW moments being produced with the high caliber of surfing going down. Mitch Coleborn, Jack Freestone and Ryan Callinan were all early round Aussie standouts, while Mason Ho, Alejo Muniz and Kanoa Igarashi were international surfers who shined in their respective heats.

Going off each day just behind all of the surf action was the Hurley Beach Bowl, where the worlds best skaters threw down massive airs and creatively linked runs for the roaring crowds. Best trick for the event went to the American Rob Loriface for his kickflip over the hip to backside 50/50. The highest air award went to American Jono Schwan for his mammoth 10-foot air out the back of the bowl. Jono was on fire the whole event and ended up in the top spot of the pro division, earning the honor of King of the Beach Bowl.

Back to the main event, the last day saw a rise in the swell with extremely high-performance surfing and high scores going down. In the womens final it was a tight battle between local Aussie rippers Tyler Wright and Laura Enever. With the last hoot of the horn Laura was able to squeak out with the win. In the mens division the final was to be decided between the on-a-roll Kolohe Andino and event dark horse Tahitian Mateia Hiquily. Mateia had been battling an injury the whole event but somehow didnt let it show, ousting everyone en route to the final. However, once in the final Kolohe was too much to handle, as he pretty much put on a clinic with his first wave posting a near-perfect 9.73. A big congrats to Kolohe and Laura, and to Hurley for putting on an amazing event with the best in live music, surf and skate all going down in great style.

John John Florence :: Photo: Bielmann

Mason Ho :: Photo: Ben ReedPhoto: Ben Reed

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Kelly Slater :: Photo: Ben Reed

Sebastian Zeitz :: Photo: Ben Reed

Kolohe Andino :: Photo: Bielmann

Bruce Irons :: Photo: Bielmann

The 2015 Volcom Pipe Pro was an amazing event and another one for the books. Mother Nature was on our side and Pipeline showed her beauty for the first five days of the waiting period. Competitors showed up from all over the globe to have their chance to take home some points, cash, bragging rights and hopefully no broken bones! Heres a little taste of the action

Other than the final, the most exciting heat of the event was definitely the VLCQ in which the one remaining wildcard spot in the contest was on the line. The 3rd annual VLCQ was a 40-minute, eight-man heat in which veteran Pipe warriors Bruce Irons, Gavin Beschen, Alex Gray, Kawai Lindo, JD Irons, Kaimana Henry, Derek Ho and Makua Rothman battled it out in a best-wave, winner-take-all barrel fest. All eight competitors locked into some amazing rides, but in the end it was Bruces 9.0 that secured his spot in the round of 64.

There were lots of standouts of the event, but lets jump straight to the final! When the final heat draw is John John Florence, Mason Ho, Kelly Slater, and Sebastian Zietz you know youre in for a radical matchup! Mason got things started with a dreamy barrel ride. John answered right back with a few really nice backdoor tubes and a crazy air attempt. Kelly and Seabass found themselves in a combination situation and fell short of Mason. John John Florence took home the win for his fourth time in five years!

Kelly Slater had super long tube ride in the quarters, which earned him the Electric Perfect 10 award of the event. He also won the inaugural Todd Chesser Hard Charger Sportsmanship Award, in honor of a much-loved North Shore big-wave rider who passed away charging big waves on Feb. 13, 1997.

Be sure to check out VolcomPipePro.com for more photos and video highlights. Also, dont miss out on Red Bulls Signature Series featuring the Volcom Pipe Pro on NBC channel 4, April 18th at 10 a.m. PST.

1st John John Florence (HAW) : $16,000 2nd Mason Ho (HAW) : $10,000 3rd Kelly Slater (Florida, USA) : $4,750 4th Sebastian Zietz (HAW) : $4,250

Words: Richard Olivares

L.J. OLeary

J.J. Wessels

Interview: LJ OLeary

So I am going to hit you with a few questions and I want you to get me back with the grimy/dirty/filthy truth... Sound fun? Firstly, my friend, film or digital? And tell us why and when you would use one over the other.I prefer film over digital for personal work and editorial projects. Digital is the standard for commercial work, but its always fun to get a small budget for film when a brand is willing to let me burn through a few rolls during a shoot.

You worked in the healthcare industry as a marketing manager to supplement your film habits, and then you started getting more contracted work from brands like ours (ourCaste), Captain Fin, RAEN, British Customs, etc., and you quit your day job to become a freelance photographer. Lets hear your tale.Without going into too much detail, I have a unique background in marketing, design, branding, art direction and photography. Ive been a freelance designer and photographer for a long time, but I also worked a full-time marketing gig. During most of 2014 I worked as a freelance photographer and designer but also took a staff position within the surf industry and was a marketing consultant. During that time I was juggling way too many projects and was trying to do too much at once. Now Im back to working as a freelance photographer and designer on projects I feel passionate about, while also dabbling in some marketing within the healthcare industry to help pay the rent and afford my habits of shooting

film and buying surfboards.

So you mean youre a free agent? Which other projects are you working on and whats the plan, brother? You gonna stay a free agent where your heart is, or are you trying to be somewhere full time?It really depends; Im a free agent for now but would really like a place for my photographs to call home. The right brand with a mix of the right ideologies and athletes/ambassadors could do the trick.

What would you love to shoot the most: selfies, nudes, surf shred, models, portraits, landscapes, celebs, machine guns?Selfies are fun, but shooting surfing and lifestyle are by far my favorites. When it comes to shooting surf nothing is better than shooting in the ocean. Im able to chat with the surfers Im shooting and also be part of the action. When it comes to lifestyle I enjoy shooting anything that revolves around California beach culture - the real shit, not what you see in Hollywood-produced surf flicks.

You live in Oceanside and havent migrated to LA to chase fashion or OC to chase down the orange curtains spotlight on the surf industry. Whats keeping you tied down to OSide?Oceanside is my home. Most of my friends live here, plus the people are real and genuine.

Youve put together quite a few art shows with some notable photographers spanning all genres. Who are some of your most influential photographers and inspirations?Ive been helping put together art/photo shows since 2007-ish. Its always a good time when you put a group of creatives together and give them a place to display their art/photographs. Im influenced by makers, craftsmen,

business owners, designers, photographers, surfers, etc. Heres a long list of people that continuously blow my mind and help influence my work: Drew Martin, Shane Cox, Julian Martin, Jeff McCallum, Dustin Ortiz, Kyle Lightner, Justin Heit, Josh Oldenburg, Troy Elmore, Stone Crandall, Alex Swanson, Alex McDonell, Mitch King, Stink, Henrik Purienne, Tyler Nelson, LJ OLeary, Zach Miller, Dylan Gordon, Hector Santamaria, Eric Hoaglund III, Jelle Keppens, Loren Brinton, Bryan

Timm, Steven Stone, Colin Nearman, Chris Burkard, Scott Chenoweth, Arto Saari, Mark Underwood, Jason Lee Parry, Kai Neville, Andrew Schoener, Wouter Struyf, Josh Edwards, Cyrus Sutton, Jack Belli, JJ Wessels, Mark Choiniere, Cole Barash, Josh Soskin, Aaron Holland, Derek Dunfee, Manuel Caro, David Hanson, Mason Dyer, Mike Quinones, Tyler

Warren, Lou Mora, Sam Larson, Ben Christensen, David Stoddard, Scotty Stopnik, Mitch Abshere, Aaron Lieber, Blaine Robison, James Tull, Russell Spencer, and many, many more.

Im blushing, Brooks. Youre one of my most favorite as well. You rule, man. Give us a treat: Tell us about a most favorite photo that youve taken and tell us a little tale of why it is so special to you.Ive never been good at favorites, especially when it comes to photos. I appreciate every photo equally for the reason that its a moment in time that will never happen again. Its 1/1000th of a second of a persons life that can never be lived again.

Are you still as in love with shooting photos as you once were or has the grind gotten to you?I am still in love with shooting photos and hope that never changes.

Anything new that you are working on that has you overly excited?Yes, follow me on Instagram (@brookssterling) and see what comes next!

Any last words?Id like to thank BL!SSS for the pages this interview sits on and you (LJ) for the interview. Id also like to thank my wife, family, friends, and the brands I work with for the continued support. Id especially like to thank everyone that lets me take photos of them without you Id be stuck with a bunch of selfies and landscape photos.

PS Dont forget to always have fun...Matt Frey

Devon Howard

Van Life

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Photos & Interview: Luke McKaye

Josh Love just might be the most upbeat person Ive ever met. I dont think Ive ever seen the guy mad. Injuries, missed tricks, broken boards, girlfriend problems, being broke with no place to stay you name it and Ive seen him go through

it without missing a beat. His spirit is contagious and unbreakable. If you have an open spot on any road trips, I suggest you fill it with Josh Love.

Whats going on with you right now? Walk me through a typical Josh Love week.Typical week, if all goes as planned I work 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. I usually alternate afternoons between painting all evening, or going to a yoga class and then doing all the fun stuff like laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping. Sounds responsible, balanced, calculated; not words Id use to describe most of the skateboarders I know. What do you do for work?Haha! Yeah, well when I started working full-time it cut into getting to skate anytime I want. By doing all of that in the week, I decided it saves the weekend for just skating. Im the housekeeper for a big office building, which isnt the coolest job but it keeps me from living on couches again. I usually just listen to podcasts and audible books all day while I scrub toilets and everything; it keeps me entertained and learning while working a mindless job. What do you usually listen to? I listen to Skate To Create podcast a lot. They do interviews with skateboarders, filmers/photographers, team managers, etc. They talk about where they came from and how they got to where they are now. 99% Invisible is a good one about design and the origin of a lot of everyday things. Theres also a ton of different Ted Talks on there... I think growing up in skateboarding has made me really enjoy learning the marketing side of things; Social Triggers is a really good one for that stuff. Have you always been into yoga?Not at all, for a while I thought it was something that bored wealthy moms just did to get exercise and be able to say they had a hobby. I got into yoga about three years ago though, I kind of did it on-and-off up until this last year. Now Im going about twice a week. Since I really only skate on the weekends now, it keeps my body prepared to jump down things and heal up again by the next weekend. Im planning to get a teacher certification so I can start teaching classes in Long Beach soon.

What percentage of your life right now would you say revolves around skateboarding? Hmm, Id say 100% really. I moved to Long Beach to be in a great place for skating, I got a full-time job so I can support myself and be able to stay here and skate, and the reason I love yoga is because it keeps me mentally and physically in good condition to go skate every weekend. If Im not doing any of that Im painting, but that kind of goes hand-in-hand with skateboarding too!

What do you like to paint? Well I come from a family of artists; theyre all really talented at doing things like still life and landscapes. I grew up drawing a lot but didnt wanna just be another artist, but summer 2013 I gave in to it and started playing with acrylic and loved it. So Im still pretty new to the artist thing. I like doing characters a lot a depressed businessman, little demon-like creatures, homeless guys... like a lot of people, I have a fear of dying and not having made my life useful, or enjoying it to the fullest. I feel like Im constantly racing a clock. Ive realized a lot of my paintings subconsciously have to do with that feeling; I enjoy life too much, and the thought of death getting here before Im ready to go gives me a lot of anxiety.

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You have a separate Instagram, @blowyournoseinmyartshow. Where did that come from?I used to ride for Ipath Shoes; we did a lot of trips together. While at a restaurant, on the road, or at the hotel Id be doodling on napkins and stuff. One day the team manager told me to keep them and do an art show called blowyournoseinmyart. I havent done one, so I thought Id make that separate Instagram just for artwork and little stupid doodles that I do while Im at work. It was really more to just have a little collection of them all together on one page, not so much to show my artwork. But its cool to be able to post the process from start to finish and look back at it later on. Its like skating after awhile you just see the clip you landed and forget every little slam you had to deal with to be able to roll away. You came here from Texas, right? How was the transition for you? I see a lot of people try to make the move and go home with their tail between their legs.Yeah, its actually really crazy how it all worked out. I met Brandon Turner from Sk8mafia a few years ago while living in Dallas, and he kinda pushed me on moving to San Diego and said there was a spot for me on his couch. I had a job lined up and bought the plane ticket. About a week before I got on the plane his phone was turned off and I didnt know what to do. I had already quit my job in Dallas and sold my car! My friend Strader was sleeping on Jake Brown and Sean Sheffeys floor in northern San Diego at the time, so he told me just get on the flight and I can crash there till I figure it out. Turns out Brandon had gotten locked up, so I ended up living at Jake and Seans place for about five months (rent free!). I found a job there and saved up a little bit then moved to Long Beach. I definitely wouldnt still be here if it werent for Jake and Sean allowing me to get on my feet at their place, and I wouldnt have even left if it werent for Brandon telling me he had a spot for me. Even if that didnt work out it was all I needed to gain the confidence. Ive crashed on floors for about two of the three years that Ive been in California. I dont know if I could do it again, but its one of the best learning experiences Ive had. Advice to any skaters taking the couch route: get on your feet as quickly as possible; you will ruin some of your best friendships by milking peoples generosity. What do you miss about Texas skateboarding?I miss the scene there. Its such a large state with such a tight-knit scene. I feel like everyone knows each other no matter what city theyre in. Im sure by not living there now I have my own made-up

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perspective of what its really like, but I love the Dallas/Ft. Worth skate scene. I miss all the Index Skateshop guys and I miss the spots. It gets kinda cookie-cutter out here with spots, and there are so many unique spots in Texas. Who are you riding for right now?I ride for Creation Skateboards, Satori Wheels, Paradox Grip, Index Skateshop and Ace Trucks.

A white guy with dreadlocks who rides for Creation and Satori, how were you able to pull off such a crazy paradigm shift?Yeah, I also have Bob Marley posters all over my walls, I smoke weed morning-to-night and do yoga. Just kidding. I cant handle smoking weed very well its pretty pathetic. I wish I could.

Im probably gonna get kicked off the team if they see this though. Ive been on Satori since around 2009, but I was riding their wheels way before I ever got on the team so its really sick how it worked out. Riding for a brand that youre normally willing to pay for the product anyways is rad. I just got on Creation last year; they back what their riders do in every aspect. Everyone on the team is either an artist, musician, DJ, or just an easy-going person. Theyre not looking to get the biggest names and winning all the contests; they want rad guys that skate for the fun of a session, whether youre filming or just pushing around a city. Im really stoked on their perspective of running this company. They also just released a full-length video called Soul Harmonics.

Beau Foster is that kid you love to hate hes good looking, pulls chicks and is super nice. What a bore. But hes genuine. Hes one of the most stylish surfers on the planet and a damn good human. Beau takes a lot grief for those things. It sucks. But after you spend some time with him you realize you want to be more like him, big-hearted like him, happy-go-lucky. Beaus ability to match style with some aggressive airs makes it all the better. We sat down with him recently to pick his brain. Check it out.

Beau, tell us where youre from and a little about your family. I know you have a few brothers and you seem real tight-knit. How have they played a part in your surfing?Well, I was born in Byron Bay. My family had a property in Federal just out of town. They lived there for 13 years or so but we left there when I was 3 and headed to Sydney. I lived inland, but my two older brothers lived in Maroubra so I would occasionally stay at their house from a young age and surf here and there. Didnt do much surfing till I was 12 though when we moved up to the Central Coast, Soldiers Beach. My brothers got me into surfing without a doubt. They would take me on road trips up and down the east coast of Oz quite often. Some of my best memories are from those trips. My mum was always supportive of whatever made me happy, and so if I wanted to surf she would take my brother Nathan and I to the beach on the weekends.

You seem to be in California a lot but you love Australia. Why do you leave ever?In the past Ive spent a fair amount of time in California for sure. I think when I was younger I had the opportunity to head over there and I kind of just ended up staying longer than I thought. I was going on surf trips and hanging out with mates for a whole summer. It was something so new to me, so different to where I was from. Its a fun place to be. I have a bunch of rad friends over there but I only like hanging there for a short period of time now. When I was over there for months, Id miss my family and home so much, but I love traveling. As long as you have a balance, my mum always says.

Interview & Photos: Tom Carey (*unless noted)

Photo: Delon Isaacs

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Whats your connection with Indo? How do like it? Is it a second home to you? Indonesia is a unique place; I wouldnt say a second home but I definitely feel comfortable there. The waves are amazing, the people are kind and the weather is pristine. I try to do at least a month there every year; its too easy to pass up. I first went there when I was 17 it was my first overseas surf trip. The whole thing was so surreal to me. I think the waves were going off that trip too, and Keramas was still uncrowded. I went there last year and it was blown out. I love eating there too; the food is so good and cheap.

Whats up with the new haircut? It looks like George Greenough meets Gerry Lopez. New haircut. Well I had long hair for three or four years and I basically got over it. Creed cut it; hes been chopping a few haircuts lately, haha. Im not sure what it is but Im not phased.

What is your style of surfing influenced by? Or who? My style of surfing I dont know if I have one. Maybe mopey, lanky, foal walkin shoes untied. My favorite surfer is Taj Burrow. He makes shit look sick.Ozzie Wright, Shane Dorian, Occy, Tom Curren those guys are kings. I always like trying to go fast I think, but Im always going slow. Gotta work that out.

If you could melt two or three styles into one and call it your own who would pick? Droid and Creed, but I wouldnt call it my own.

How is it hanging out with the Metal Neck Crew? Well, if you could picture a circus, and everyone is best mates in the circus, then itd be like that maybe. Its so fun, those guys are hilarious. They do what they want, surf how they want, and can drink beers like the Cheese Burglar could eat cheeseburgers.

Can you keep up with those guys?Maybe on my own level. I dont really feel obligated to keep up. But Im from Australia; majority of people can sink tins. Id say I get drunk quicker.

How has your surfing changed since you are single?Well, I sure do have a lot more time to surf. I mean, maybe more clear-headed too. Im just happy surfing and hanging out with mates. Havent really thought about it that much its been a while now.

Are you cracking more beers now?Yeah, Id say so without a doubt; Im just enjoying myself.

People just say I look like a chick

Tell us about where you live now and the Byron Bay vibe?I live in Bangalow, just out of Byron. Its cool. I live with my mate Ellis on a big property. Creed and Toby live down the road and Duncan is always cruising around. There is always something to do here in between surfing. Whether you want to chill out on the farm or head into town and do some people watching, youre guaranteed a good time.

What are your goals in surfing?I just want to continue to surf for as long as possible. Id like to try and make some videos and get a cover, thatd be cool. I dont have any expectations; I just try to keep doing and doing and always be grateful, you know.

Do you think its hard to have serious expectations being a free surfer? Well, depends who you are. I try not to have expectations. I dont think its hard but I definitely dont think its easy either. If youre dedicated to what you love I think things come naturally. Its easier to get let down by having expectations than not having any. Just do it for the love.

Do you wish at times you could surf during a different era?Not necessarily. I wish at times spots werent as crowded. But I like the current era and seeing surfing evolve, even since I was a kid. I like watching old surf videos and drawing inspiration.

Do you think its shit being a surfer in 2015 with crowds and shit?I think its just as crowded as its ever been. You just gotta find your own zone. If you really want to surf good waves with no one out you still can.

How hard is it these days to make something worthwhile and not just be a flash in the pan edit on the net? How hard is it to make something of substance?Well everythings changed so much. Surfing DVDs barely make shelves in the stores anymore. Most companies make a video and release it for free via the Web. Understandable. Everyone can see it that way. I feel it takes a little excitement away from it. But at the same time, more viewers get to see it. Whos to say whats right or wrong. Theres just so much content that things get lost, making something of substance takes time.

What are some of the heaviest comments youve taken online? Man I dont know anymore. People just say I look like a chick, haha.

I met Brendan on the first day of Art School at Art Center way back in 2001. I remember right off the bat school was pretty intense work-wise, so the only socializing we did was working on projects together. Wed stay up all night working; one project in particular was the color wheel. It was a pain-staking process of painting hundreds and hundreds of gouache swatches trying to get the perfect value for each color. We were slamming coffee all night going trying

to keep it together. When we finally finished the birds were chirping, the sun was up and it was a new day. I remember drinking a quick beer with Brendan, we high-fived and then headed to class. It was weird working so hard on something like the wheel,

obsessing over minor details, but it trained all of us to be so detail-oriented, and most importantly, seeing a project through. School was an important part of my life; Ive met some

of the most pivotal people who became great friends for life during those years. Brendan is a detail-oriented workhorse who has accomplished so much already; I cant wait to see whats next. I was honored when Brendan asked me to do this interview for him, so heres my report.

Brendan, weve been friends for a while now and I know all your secrets, but lets start from the beginning here: where did you grow up and what were your interests as a kid?I grew up in Santa Barbara. I was into a lot of the California beach kid stuff, like skating and body boarding. Id also say I was always kind of into nature. On days when my friends and I were bored, wed just go walk on the beach and find weird stuff or start small campfires. I also always liked building things; I think my backyard had three forts at one point, if you include the planks of wood nailed up in the tree branches.

Who and what influenced you as you were growing up? Whats the earliest reference you can remember? For art things a big one was Ed Emberley. I remember doing these crazy complicated scenes with underwater submarines and all kinds of stuff with those books. We also used to make these super detailed, impossible mazes that were usually never finished and never solved. It was just cool to look at this insane maze. They took forever to draw too. When I was young my dad used to also pay me a dollar for some of my drawings.

Where do you live and work currently? Oakland, CA. Its pretty alright. Im in a very convenient neighborhood and close to an art store, among other good stuff.

Tell me about the cover of BL!SSS. Whats this piece all about and why did you choose it?Id say the more recent work Ive been doing reveals the way I draw and my natural acceptance of mark tendency. Its hard to put a finger on it, but I think the most recent stuff captures that I like to draw heavily, repeatedly and to use that as an advantage to create forms. It just has a lot of that coming together in one piece.

What made you decide to go for a career in art, and why? What were you doing before that?I never knew I could actually be an artist for a living. When I was younger I thought Id get into biology or chemistry and then Id go home from work to make art on the weekends, just for fun. Sometime after high school, in my junior college classes, I was introduced to design as a career and I thought that might work for me too, until I discovered what an illustrator was. Illustrators seemed to be doing all the rad part of the job, just drawing, so I went down that path pretty quickly.

Interview: Jeff McMillan

Ive always admired how you rarely second guess yourself. You seemed to be on a mission and werent discouraged with the process or challenge by the materials or subject matter. Have you always have this attitude of natural curiosity and discovery toward creating things?Yeah maybe Im just very stealthy at hiding my second guesses. I do think that if I can go full force, all-in on whatever Im working on in front of me, thats the only way I can be truly pleased with the result. Even just the part of making it, the process, even if it turns out bad, can be satisfying. Sometimes stuff turns out really bad and I just have to try it again until it comes out right. Thats sort of the way I go at it. I try not to think too much about how horrible something can be and instead solve the problem of what the best way is to get the right end result.

Who are the figures in your work and whats their story? Theyre these dudes that just hang out in my worlds, in my paintings and spaces. Theyre all kinds and no kinds. Mostly, theyre these living, breathing things, just doing normal everyday stuff. So they can be people, or inhabitants of an alternate dream world that is created in my mind by reflection of our actual world like the strange things youd encounter in dreams.

You lived in Sweden for a little bit. Can you tell us about that? Was there a particular project that you were working on there? How did the extended long days of sun and the absence of it in the winter affect your work, mood and productivity?I was in Sweden for two years while my wife was in grad school. It was pretty amazing. I shared a studio with a few Swedish artists and worked on paintings and sculptures. I did feel a bit removed now that I think about, but thats not always a bad thing. Life felt slower and more adventurous at the same time. I actually really liked the weather there because Id never lived with the seasons. Theres always a kind of schedule to keep depending on external factors. I think I do all right with schedules, mostly.

I think that theres a fine line nowadays of being an illustrator and/or a fine artist. We can cross over quite a bit. Ive seen your work in print books, magazines, and in in the 3D form in toys and sculptures. Also, your work has been in numerous galleries and museums around the world. Do you prefer a title, and does your education in illustration determine any of that? Oh yeah, when people ask what I am, or what I do, I usually say, Im an artist, but I do a lot of things. Its never really a simple explanation. I think thats partly because my work does spread across a wide range of practice and because I dont really feel like I fit into a certain box. I like doing different things and experimenting. Theres always a way to push the work in different ways if its not just set to only painting or drawing. Being an artist of course can mean a million things. I think thats a good thing.

What does a normal days routine look like for you?I need coffee, first rule of the day. I usually get straight to the work. I need to catch up on or finish up work from the day before in the mornings and then get started on more busy work or free-creative stuff in the afternoon. Theres probably not a normal routine. Most of the time I try and be at work at 9 a.m. then I go from there.

Its always good to hear that artists get distracted and procrastinate; it makes me feel like Im not the only one. Hows your time management? My time management is medium-good, maybe a 6.5 on a 1-10 scale (1 being horrible). This could be optimistic. I often feel like I take long to work and complete projects, so I keep that in mind throughout the day. The difficulty for me is taking care of all the peripheral work without it taking up the time for the primary work. The boring work also usually takes long. Theres not enough time in the day.

Has your work morphed in narration over the years? Do you feel its changed perspective at all from character-to-character interaction to observational first and third person?Its always changing whether I know it or not. Mostly its subtle between paintings, but then more noticeable over the years. Different years of life always change and so does the subject matter in the work with the narratives they tell. Theres always a variety of ways to show an environment with its inhabitants, and it might work best for me to show and have many angles to those stories. Sometimes things just get totally abstracted too, and then it becomes more about the blobs, surfaces and invented landscapes.

What kind of media do you digest while working? What keeps you interested and inspired most?Plenty of podcasts and NPR, sometimes some music. I used to listen to a lot of science-related podcasts, but lately Ive been more into the history ones: Your Dreams My Nightmares, 99% Invisible, Hardcore History lately on podcasts. Music lately has been OMD, William Onyeabor, Alva Noto and Terry Riley.

I really like the large-scale, semi-abstract, almost-molecular environmental murals youve been doing lately. How was Pow! Wow!? Can you tell us about that experience?Thanks, man. Yeah, last year I really got into making murals. Its kind of amazing. I think the ones at Pow! Wow! Hawaii and Taiwan were really great learning experiences. Youre put in a group of world traveling muralists who are all really good at what they do. Just being part of it, watching and hanging out with everyone, then working on my own walls was always an immediate learning experience. Its the best kind of challenge.

How did the Facebook mural come to be?They were working on a new lobby remodel and contacted me to paint something there. Theyve actually got a great program for artists. They usually have local Bay Area artists come in and do some kind of installation of mural project somewhere on the campus. One of the days I walked around on my own and discovered a ton of amazing work there.

Can you tell us about your most recent show in Los Angeles, at Heath Ceramics, and how did that happen? I had this idea in my head for a while to make some sculptures in ceramics, but I didnt really know how to go about it or how theyd turn out. I have a good amount of experience with wood sculpting and very little in ceramic. So Adam Silverman (Heath Studio Director) and I planned a show to cast some wood master forms in ceramic and then experiment with glazes. It was a kind of amazing working with them because they have so much experience with the material and theyve got a huge library of glaze choices to play with.

Whats next for you? I think this year Ill be working on more murals and ceramics. They seem so different from each other, but theyre both extensions of my drawings and paintings, just going in their own directions. Theres so much to explore in ceramic sculptures and there is so much more to push with the mural work. I keep telling myself Im going to make a comic too, sooner or later.

Cody Hale : Fakie Back Tail Pop Over

My favorite part of photography is that there is no right and wrong. Sure there are basic guidelines to follow, but when it comes down to it, you have complete creative control. What you want goes. Sometimes the line between a good photograph and a bad one is blurred. Its all in how you look at it. Photographers who are truly passionate about their craft always produce quality images, no matter the situation. Sean Michon is one of these photographers. From his roots in the greater Boston area, Sean has been shooting photos for over eight years now. With his recent move to LA, he has focused in on his goal of shooting for a living. Seans creative eye sets his work apart from the majority of the skateboard photographers out there. There is no outside influence to distract him, just his vision. Just Sean and his camera. James Messina

When you think Vermont, youre probably just imagining lots of pine trees, forests, peace, tranquility, and no cell phone service. Lately some of Vermonts skateboarders are proving to be some of the most talented and humble individuals. Cody Hale is just one of the bunch taking things to some new heights.

Marco Mahony : F.S Nose Slide

Marco Mahony

Dave Bachinsky : Nollie Inward Heel Manny 5050

Marco and I grew up skating together. Weve known each other since middle school and hes been killing it ever since. To this day, we continue to skate together; we shot these photos while weve been out here in Los Angeles.

The weather might be pretty great in LA, but the other factors that coincide can quickly take a toll on your mind. Escaping the bad air, insane people, traffic, and just the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life is essential for any human beings sanity. Sadly, most people just rot in the boiling pot of todays society and just lose it. Only about an hour into the Angeles National Forest lies freedom and relaxation. Gather the homies, pack a tent, and enjoy the one and only life you may ever be granted!

Cody Hale : Fakie Back Tail Pop Over

Greg Valencia : Switch Front Krook

Cody Hale

Dave Bachinsky : Nollie Inward Heel Manny 5050

Frankie Nash : Front Blunt

James Messina

Kevin Phelps

Matt Lane : Nose Grind

James Messina taking a wiff of his first, and last ever, butt. Dont cough up a lung, bub!

Dave Bachinsky & Fritz Mead

Dave Bagonias : Back Lip

Eduardo Craig : 180 Nose Manny Back 180

John Coyne : Switch Heel

Marco Mahony : Ollie

Tom Rohrer

Get out and build something! Building new spots and getting to enjoy them afterwards is one of the best aspects of skateboarding. Here Dave and Fritz enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Dave Bagonias : Back Lip

Kevin Phelps : Blunt Slide

Tom Rohrer : Kickflip

Jake Dooley : Back Lip Fakie

I remember being a lot younger, seeing Jake rip at one of the local parks in Taunton, MA. It had been years before we officially met, and oddly enough that first time was actually out here on the west coast in the fall of 2013. Im glad weve finally made the connection. Jake is one of the most motivated individuals and he kills it. He has a strong background from the town he grew up in. The things hes seen and the lessons hes learned seem to be huge motives for this fool!

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Words: Gabe TaylorPhotos: Peter Morning

In typical Mammoth fashion, the 2015 Sprint US Grand Prix was full of excitement. From the riding to the weather, it was a full-blown guessing game all week long. The week started with perfect weather beautiful and warm with no wind and ended with some hard-earned powder turns due to an Atmospheric River or whatever, but more on that later. Not out of character, the Unbound Crew built a world-class superpipe and slopestyle course with what contestants were calling some of the best jumps ever despite Mother Natures *cough* lack of resources. Our mountain operations and snowmaking teams, compiled mostly of badasses, pulled a ton of snow out of (seemingly) nowhere to host an excellent event hats off, guys.

Danika Duffy

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Eric Beauchemin

Danika Duffy Tara Dakides Ryan March

Yuki Kandono

Sebastien Toutant

Competition schedules are a logistical nightmare even when the weather is perfect. With winds eager to usher in a massive storm looming out in the Pacific, youve got more to juggle than just figuring out gold, silver and bronze. Wednesday saw an increase in winds, which posed several problems. On a day reserved for just the qualification rounds, riders had to throw down their qualifying and final runs in one day and hope for the best.

Eric Beauchemin and 14-year-old Hailey Langland made the most of the ever-changing weather by claiming their first slopestyle wins on the big stage, and then thanked God they were still alive. Eric crushed the jib line and followed it up with a mean frontside 1260 to switch frontside 1080 on those epic jumps mentioned earlier. Including the jibs, Eric spun a heavy 4140 degrees in about a quarter mile of course.

Thursday and Friday were mellow. Just kidding. The winds continued at 60 mph with gusts being recorded in the 100+ range at different locations around the mountain. Competing was, of course, impossible in these conditions, and the athletes were holding their breath that the Sierra sun would show its face on Saturday to let the festivities resume. Alas, it never came, but thanks to this Atmospheric River a solid foot of wet, heavy snow fell overnight and Mother Nature continued to pummel the West Coast. For those who stuck around into the next week, they were rewarded with some of the best pow days in years funny how that works. See everyone next year.

Brock Crouch

Brandon Davis

Max Parrot

Downtown LA might seem like an odd venue for a surf movie premiere. But when youre dealing with the Ace Hotel and theres a world-class theatre right next door, it makes perfect sense. Plus, who doesnt enjoy a night out in LA every once in a while?

With Kai Nevilles newest surf film, Cluster, gracing the marquee on a random Wednesday night this past month, it was time to grab LAs nightlife by the horns and get to the Ace. Upon arriving you could see that every surf fanatic, hipster, model and party lover from Malibu to San Clemente had caught wind of the films hush-hush debut. Thus, it became a mad scramble to get inside the theatre. The inside had a polished medieval vibe to it, and moviegoers were able to mingle while sipping on House Beer and assorted cocktails. After a while everyone filtered into the theatre and took their seats. With the help of host Austyn Gillette, each surfer was introduced with hoots and hollers as they were brought up on stage. Among the star-studded cast in attendance were Chippa Wilson, Dillon Perillo, Jack Freestone, Noa

Deane, Brendon Gibbens, Ryan Callinan, Dion Agius, Craig Anderson, Dane Reynolds and birthday boy Creed McTaggert. At one point Creed was forced to skull a gigantic mug of beer on stage as everyone sang him happy birthday. Oh yeah, and Austyn led everyone in a, Fuck the WSL! chant. Yes, it got rowdy.

The movie itself contains the aforementioned surfers plus a few more who werent present displaying some mind-bogglingly aggressive yet graceful surfing. Jack Freestone showed hes a force to be reckoned with. Creed McTaggerts part with a David Bowie soundtrack had everyone in the audience roaring, and Noa Deanes closing part pretty much brought the whole house down. If youre a fan of Kai Nevilles flicks then youll instantly fall in love with this one. If not, then some of the lifestyle aspects of the film may be hard to swallow, but the surfing itself is undeniably radical and can be appreciated by all. Either way, this was one hell of a fun time, and a big thank you goes out to Huff and What Youth for throwing this extravaganza.

Photos: LifeWithoutAndy: 1. Dion Agius, Jack Freestone, Ryan Callinan, Craig Anderson, Chippa Wilson & Creed Mctaggart 2. The men behind Cluster: What Youths Travis Ferre & Filmmaker Kai Neville 3. Noa Deane drops a knee. 4. Pink & Craig Anderson 5. The Ace theatre, heavily packed. 6. Dane Reynolds 7. Noa looks on as Chippa helps Creed skull his birthday mug. 8. Photo wizard, Corey Wilson. 9. Globes Eric Tomlinson 10. Beau Foster 11. The lovely couple made up of Kristin Thuve and Damien Fahrenfort. 12. Curren Caples

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This past month everyone gathered at the Modern Hotel Honolulu, Sun Suite and Terrace for an art show curated by PM Tenore featuring the Pod. The Pod features pieces on display that were created from a project between Kevin Ancell and Kelly Slater, paying homage to Orcas and influential friends who have died over the years.

Here are Kellys own wo

bl!sss magazine | march 2015 | #91

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