Jack Belli & Tanner Prairie – Malibu, CA _ 05/06/10

Alek Parker & Scotty Stopnik – Malibu, CA _ 05/06/10

TLP // RGB

I spent all weekend in a van with D Brahs & Jack (got a lil’ creepy & weird..), caravan-ing with Jeffery, Tanner, & Worm.  Costa Mesa > Malibu > Ventura > Leo Carrillo > Malibu > Santa Monica > Costa Mesa; Party.

My good friend Maurice Van Tillard has released his new website to the public, and I think that you will be very pleased with the results.  Take a minute to browse through his new portfolio and feel free to send him some feedback; he’d love to hear from you.  In celebration of this fine occasion- I figured I would post an image (from several years back) that could relate to Maurice, vs. the regular consumers of my personal blog..

Corey Bohan – No Footed Can-Can // Corona, CA.

This is from my first session back in nearly two plus months (thank you surgeries) for yours truly.  My good pal Cam Oden came along and documented a few waves of Me (one of which, pictured below) for a project David is currently working on; plus Tyler, JJ, and Cody Simpkins were out and murdering it- especially Cody- WOW.  Super fun waves, and really fun surfing with good friends (Greg & Worm).  Good to be back.

#1-KL @ Church for Hulls.
#2-TS & SS eye contactual.

Griffin Neumann-Kyle, David Allee, & Cameron Oden _ 12/09

The other day I had the opportunity of shooting with Kassia and Mitch in Oceanside, for a little project that Mitch is putting together here before the new year.  Kassia and I got to talk cameras and perspective (pictured below), and it really made my day.  It’s incredibly refreshing to meet someone who shares the same opinions and point of view as yourself, let me tell you- especially when it comes to photography.  Kassia and I first spoke when she was on her Maine trip with Scotty, Mikey, and Nick; She called to confirm some cross-processing formulas that I attempted to help her out with.  It was also really neat to hear how much Thomas has helped mentor her photographically, whether he meant to or not.  Man, I love photography.

(photo : Mitch Abshere)

___________________________________________
Oh yeah, and this is what my finger looked like yesterday when they removed my cast, and before they removed my stitches…

So like I said yesterday- I ventured to Tyler Hatzikian’s garage in El Segundo, CA with Scott Stopnik Sr. & Jr.  to pick up Scotty’s new Test Pilot model with the Riddler outline and resin ?-mark; the thing is 100% totally bitchen.  Absolutely mental.  It’s 9ft 6in vs. Tylers usual 10ft template.  Scotty tested it yesterday at Blackies and let me tell you- prepare for lift off!  The thing is nearly impossible to pearl or bury the nose in the flats.  My mind has been completely F-ed after seeing, touching, and now shooting the board being ridden.  Wow.  Action photos being posted tomorrow…

My very dear friend (through GiG), Simon Perini and his beautiful wife Jazz ventured from the wonderful land of Oz to visit CA these past couple weeks.  Simon brought over his little booklet to share with CA the wonderful work he’s been producing lately (pictured below).  It is a collection of his works and man, it is incredible- I’m honored to own an original.  Simon and Jazz came over to my place in Costa Mesa where we chatted cameras, surfing, culture, life, spirituality, and all sorts of other goodness.  We ate Alejandros and then drove directly over to In-N-Out to seal the deal, CA style.
Simon has been a great friend, encouragement, and an inspiration through all the emails we’ve sent back and forth for the past year now- not to mention how he has spoken to me and many others through his photography.  Thankfully, brother Simon started his very own blog!!!  Please take a second to bookmark it, and check it out in about a week when Him and Jazz get home from their travels- updating it with some great work he’s been doing out here on his trip.
Thank you Simon & Jazz for the prayers, and one of the best nights I’ve had in my entire life- I can’t wait to come visit!

Making the best of less than sub-par lighting conditions; Truly frustrating and not very rewarding, but it’s been nice meeting/shooting with new friends none-the-less.  These are all from Monday night, besides the shot of JJ- taken last Friday afternoon.  Special thanks to Mitch, for setting everything up and having the patience with planning out a successful session.

Mitch is a real nice guy who supports those he loves, and his Captain Fin Company just keeps getting better and better…
I’m real glad to help out in anyway I possibly can; Thanks again Scotty/th3 Turk, Mitch, Mason, and Dave from Brixton.

Oh- and check this crap out, VBS.tv did a Hi-Shredability on the Cycle Zombos…

The kind people over at Hurley- namely, Robby Adams hooked me up with some (and by some- i mean upwards of over 1000) stickers for free.  In his exact words- “I really admire what you are doing and thought I would help where I could.  Self promotion rules the world.“  Dang man, how humbling and how exciting; I didn’t even know these were coming- complete surprise.  Thanks so so SO much Robby, you’re the man!

“DEVO”_devinbriggs

“BUSINESS MAN BEAU”_scottystopnik

TH3 TURK (& RAMBO)_chrisstopnik/scottystopnik

“THE RIGHT BALL”_brandonwong

“GRATEFUL GRIFF”_griffinNK

Jr. is back (from his torn meniscus) and ready to shred the living crap out of everything in his path.  I love this dudes style more than anybody at the moment.  His approach is so insane, so solid, and just plain brutal.  Here he is, at home (ridiculous pool) doing the deathbox for his fathers birthday present, as well as signing the birthday board.  Welcome back Michael.

Scotty lettin’ loose with a burnout and a skid on his ‘73 Harley Shovelhead.

Jake’s dad Cory owns Jokers Skateshop in Huntington Beach, if you haven’t checked it out- be sure to do so.  Its really only the core skateshop around these days; Plus Grosso, Duane, and many others tend to make appearances (like Psycho Mike).  Troy & Devin both work there, while Jake shred’s the living crap out of his backyard.  He just returned from a trip to the Camen Islands with Duane and Tosh.  Here he is settling back into his home, all nice and tidy.

I remember the day I met this Man.  “What the fuck is your deal?!” were the very first words out of his mouth, directly at me.  Intimidation at its finest.  He then followed that opening by taking me by the hand and leading me into some of the most amazing opportunities and experiences, I as a growing artist have ever had the privilege of taking in.  You want determination, an unstoppable spirit, or a heart that will never give in?  This is your man.  This here is another lifer for me.  Sharing the same struggles and complications from opposite ends of the country at thee exact same time, without even knowing it.  It’s these people that you hold close to your heart- to your creativity, and who keep you going with that “F yeah, I’m never going to let anything stand in my way” type attitude all through the crap you’ve seen them persevere through.  This here is my man, the one who has single-handedly inspired me to never give up and to always give my all.  His name is David Tindale, and he is unstoppable in all forms of the word.  Underground celebrity status.

Lots of time being spent out Ridiculous pool in between Stopnik shoots…too bad its a 150 mile round trip all the way out to hell (the IE).  Last night was totally worth it, as it was Mike “Papa” Serna’s birthday skate jam at PKs Ridiculous Pool.  I’m guessing there was easily over 60-70 people there around 10p…it was intense.  More cameras than at disneyland on a sunday afternoon- Impressive.  The pool even got a bit of a face lift, as it was patched and painted.  Check this out…

This was a couple weeks before the facelift- a green ridiculous pool with minimal cancer; Sir T. Cooper.

And now- it’s all pretty, just like Mike & Mary Serna in these photos (Partain too…).

Last night was incredible to say the very least. Happy birthday Mike- You are a very loved man. Keep up the shredding and don’t ever let your age stop you, you’ve got way too much ahead of you brother;  I know everyone agrees with that statement (Arizona sure does!)