the girl from up north

Indigenous Peoples

2011-12-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays and to celebrate the one year anniversary of my Etsy store, ALL ITEMS will be 25% off!

Just enter discount code "NATIVE1" in the dialog box upon order placement, and you'll be good to go!

Sale starts tomorrow and runs through New Year's Day, so get your girlfriends, wives, and friends what they really want this year - something shiny!

Happy shopping!

plaid and tie-dye, together at last.

2011-06-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

My siblings and I recently made the jaunt up the Santa Barbara area

for the annual KCBX fundraiser - Live Oak Music Festival.

As our dad is a performing musician, we've been attending this event since we were young,

which makes it doubly enjoyable to go back to the event and recall past years' shenanigans -

dancing carelessly in the dirt, running around barefooted, wielding bubble-wands or streamers,

and laughing ourselves senseless at the sights of some

of the classic festival-goers... and there ARE some classic ones.

It's actually pretty amazing - this event seems to hold the reputation

of removing any and all of the "accepted" sartorial standards

(hence the title of this post: the tie-dye and plaid combo seems to be a popular one),

as well as playing the role of a grounds exempt from social judgement,

which is pretty much how I remember it from my younger days.

Not much has changed since those days, but a few things that I noticed

that have are as follows:

1) The once-classic Birkenstock sandal has now been replaced

by the neo-water-walker, commonly known as the 'barefoot running shoe'...

(No comment.)

2) There is now free wine tasting and

cold beverages on tap in the musician's area.

(Awesome.)

3) Now that we're 'big-kids', we have the know-how and absolute stealth

to elude the ukulele-playing, straw-hat-wearing security guards,

defeat barricades of barbed wire and rot-oak, and evade thick forests of poison sumac,

all in the name of discovering the perfect swimmin' hole.

{Best thing I've done all year.}

Here are a few more snapshots from the day...

{I felt like I should have taken this guy to the Lost and Found...}

{We must have missed the crochet beanie memo}

{parents are...where?}

{communal snacks - the best kind}

{Eat then nap, then repeat, then nap.}

{A sixty-some year-old man made it his duty to jog the premises

wielding an electric bubble-gun...}

{My sister put it best - blackberries soaked in wine are better than blackberries not soaked in wine - IT'S SCIENCE.}

{My Wally. Happy Father's Day, Pop}

{My dad's band, the Cache Valley Drifters have been together for

nearly forty years now, and performing at Live Oak for almost as long.

I may be biased, but it's the truth when I say that they are, by far, my favorite band.}

{prime real estate}

{driving home, with dirt on our feet, and bluegrass in our hearts}

Overall, it's a great event, filled with excellent music and incredibly happy campers...

If you ever find yourself in the area around Father's Day weekend, stop on by -

you'll see what they mean by their ongoing tenet:

Peace. Love. Dirt.

...to those who wait

2011-03-21T20:41:00.000-07:00

the bluebottle {set}

{earpiece}

{five-charm chest piece}

{single-charm wrist piece}

the ripshaw

the Hopi

...available in my Etsy shop.

In Ear Park

2011-01-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

I like.

And then some...

2010-12-31T22:04:00.000-08:00

{a few more little things I've been messing around with}

the Cheney

the Fangora

the Susie

the Racquel

the Courtney Rose

{also for sale on Etsy}

More things

2010-12-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

The Arkenstone

{featured in the upcoming Diane Arkenstone music video}

The Charlie

The Chelsea

{for Chelsea Aaron and her two beautiful daughters}

Shiny things

2010-12-14T23:12:00.001-08:00

This is what I've been up to lately.

now on Etsy.

Channeling the Old

2010-11-17T17:36:00.001-08:00

A fellow Central Coast native
recently made his way down
to these parts to showcase some of his
art pieces at the Surfing Heritage Museum.

Apart from being a phenomenal surfer,
Eric Soderquist's multi-media works
make his talent as an
artist quite obvious.

Also, his and photographer Chris Burkard's
recently published book, entitled
The California Surf Project , is simply stunning.

"Hullo."

2010-11-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

for Jeff.
Thanks for the tickets!

I've been really into feathers lately...

2010-11-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

...so I decided to start making things with them.
These were inspired by a lovely lady friend of mine,
Sasha Ritter, who made for me
my first pair of feather earrings.
She's also doing lots of other neat things with her creative talents...
check her out!

Also, if you are around the Costa Mesa area this Saturday,
feel free to swing by the Seed People's Market
between 5 and 7 pm for a neat little art show
put on by Ms. Ritter's non-profit organization.
Should be a good time!

Pfeiffer:

2010-10-13T20:21:00.001-07:00

the name chosen by Todd & Shannon

to give their little girl.

...this was their baby shower.

Congrats!

things that are up north:

2010-10-13T19:39:00.001-07:00

1. trees

2. hikes

3. swimmin' holes

4. weddings

...it's going to be a beautiful autumn.

this blog...

2010-09-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

is amazing.

Recommended by a friend,

Raw on $10 a Day has been

a steady beacon of inspiration

for those dabbling on the raw food path.

A guide on how to go raw without going broke,

"Raw on 10" provides full-day raw menus, complete

with recipes, nutritional information, and photos

luscious enough to make anyone drool.

Example...

2010-09-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

On an early morning a few weeks back, I met up with Troy Mothershead and

Richard Balding from Nineplus to try to get some waves at Church.

The surf wasn't good, and we eventually ended up at Doheny,

but there were a few...

Here is a beautiful little short from that day by Eric Hires.

Cali haze 2010 from Nineplus & Hasu on Vimeo.

Stoked and Broke

2010-09-16T22:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings, readers!

My sincerest apologies for the recent gap in posting.

Again, a lack of computer proves to be a formidable obstacle to keeping a consistent digital journal.

I do have the truest intentions, though, of posting some retroactive updates

of what's been going on around these parts...

That aside, I now feel that it is my personal duty to inform you

of a new surf film out and making the rounds.

A creation of the charming Mr. Cyrus Sutton,

this production, entitled Stoked and Broke,

is as humbling as it is entertaining, and as YEW!-able

as any good surf flick one can recall.

This breath of cinematic fresh air is made rich

by top quality waves, radical surfing,

and a script that takes itself none too seriously.

Do yourself a favor and go see it!

Una noche. Dos Fiestas.

2010-07-19T23:51:00.001-07:00

Some friends and I attended a couple of art shows the other night,

both of which were entertaining in their own right.

Numero Uno

Brian "Loafer" Anderson and his ever-improving artistic talents

Brian Bent and...his band

Location: Icons of Surf

Numba Two

Los Desperados and Dano Forte's Juke Joint Freak Show

Location: Hurley HQ

Let the summer art parties continue!

Anniversary gift

2010-06-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

for A&E Fisher.

Congrats on your first year of marriage,

blessings for the many to come.

peace. love. dirt.

2010-06-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Live Oak Music Festival 2010

bring your hat,

forget your shoes,

and keep on dancing.

Sketchy

2010-05-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

A couple sketches and things.

For Jack Belli.

Inspired by Jeffery Jones.

Shred!

Acrylic on masonite

Embodiment

2010-05-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

I was recently invited to participate in a local art event

presented by Bacardi, Sutra Lounge and

Sean Faries and Johnny Kenny from Native Lounge.

The idea was to express one's artistic style

on a human canvas.

With 9 hours, Wolfe paints, and some much needed assistance

from my amazing and dedicated sister, Grace, this was the outcome.

Tom Fowler Photography

I can't say I've ever participated in anything quite like it.

Recent : Featherhead

2010-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

For the lovely Miss Amy Covert.

Acrylic on canvas back

Glued

2010-05-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

There are so many things that I "should" be doing today,

but I just cannot seem to avert my eyes.

The style, timeless.
The detail, jaw-dropping.
And the shoes...

"Shorpy" Higgenbotham and friends,
Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron Co., Jefferson Cty., Alabama: 1910

Clerks, U.S. Patent Office: 1925

Lieutenant Stephen Bonsal Jr.: 1917

Shad fishing on the Potomac: 1920

Slugger: 1939

War gardeners: 1918

Midgets for Coolidge: 1925

Union man: 1938

The Shoe Line: 1943

A girl's best friend: 1943

Lady, Incognito: 1890

People's Drug Store, Washington D.C.: 1921

THE 100-YEAR-OLD PHOTO BLOG

HASU : Lotus

2010-05-01T00:52:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years,

I've been lucky enough to get to wear wetsuits

made by Nineplus company.

The combination of fit, durablity, and warmth

of these stylish suits have convinced me

that I will never have the need

to look for a new source.

Los Angleez

2010-04-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Some friends and I recently took

a day trip up to El Pueblo de Nuestra

Senora la Reina de los Angeles del Rio de Porciuncula

...more commonly known as L.A.

Omelette Parlor, SM

O.P. decor

window shopping

getty gardens

Gilded everything

city view

cloudy but clear

art on art

inspiring

my new favorite

35 mm

Tranzparent Pictures

2010-04-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Some recent design work for a local film production company.

This small, but thriving group recently had several works featured

in the 2010 Newport Beach Film Festival.

Have a look see.

I'm kind of obsessed

2010-04-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

Spanning three discs and two hours of listening time,

Joanna Newsom's new album, 'Have One on Me' has thus far been the most

interesting and entertaining collection of music to grace my iPod this year.

*Have one on me, here.

The transitions are inspired.

That Rooster Crow

2010-04-05T13:35:00.000-07:00

Sea Lion Woman / Sea Lion

She drank coffee / Sea Lion

She drank tea / Sea Lion

And he gamble lie / Sea Lion

Way down yonder / Sea Lion

I'm going maul / Sea Lion

And the rooster crow / Sea Lion

And he gamble lie / Sea Lion

A song that has gone by many names over the years, "Sea Lion Woman",

was originally recorded in 1939 by Herbert Halpert and sung by two sisters,

Christine and Katherine Shipp.

This American Folk song was originally used as a children's playground song

and was later covered by such artists as folklorist John Lomax, pop singer Nina Simone,

and, more recently, Miss Leslie Feist.

*Note: this WILL download to your iTunes, so if you don't want it in your library, don't click on this link.

Feist, doing an inspired rendition of her own

Casa Lauria via Minolta

2010-04-04T18:40:00.001-07:00

More images from my Big Sur escapades, this time, on 35mm.

35 mm

And a gift for the happy couple.

Acrylic on wood

Casa Lauria Wedding

2010-04-04T10:56:00.001-07:00

A few weekends ago, I headed up to Big Sur

to celebrate the wedding of two very dear friends.

It was gorgeous in every respect.

*The feathered hair pieces, jewelry, and flower arrangements

shown above were handmade by the bride herself.

Her unique and timeless pieces of jewelry and hair accessories can be found on her website, or on etsy. Indulge.

Fireflies

2010-04-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

this song and video pair cease to amaze me.

A few...

2010-03-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

...from a recent trip to the high country.

35mm

More soon.

Time Lapse via Bogus Media

2010-03-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

I recently unearthed a little clip, masterfully put together by none other than the Morg Man.

Man on Wire

2010-03-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

definitely one of the most beautiful acts of courage and passion I have yet seen.

I would highly recommend seeing the film.

A little diddy...

2010-02-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

...for a little lady.

Happy birthday, Hannah Barnick.

Acrylic on canvas

Our Daily Bread

2010-02-07T01:30:00.000-08:00

a film by Nikolaus Geyhalter.

Prepare to think.

*WARNIING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Faux Toes

2010-01-27T00:44:00.003-08:00

I was recently asked where I got my film developed.

My response was "I don't."

...I guess I lied.

Images from last summer.

Minolta 35 mm

Paints for Friends

2010-01-27T00:22:00.000-08:00

For the lovely Miss Mary Froemke... a birthday gift.

Acrylic on canvas

...and for a dear childhood friend.

Acrylic on canvas

I've been really into tweed lately...

2010-01-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

....so I made these.

Acrylic on wood

Let the Seasons Begin

2010-01-06T23:42:00.000-08:00

I used to do quite a bit of driving.

In turn, I also ripped through new music tracks as though

they were last week's New Times.

You know how it goes:

The first couple listens are when you're still deciding

whether or not you like the stuff;

Rounds Three and Four consist of some head-nods, finger-taps,

and maybe even a choral sing-along...maybe.

By listen number Five (if said melody has made it to this point),

you're really into it.

Like. You are in love with this song. Period.

...this goes on for a few more listens and, sure,

it's a rosey relationship for that brief window of time;

but after you've heard that same track so many damn times,

you eventually can't help but get this nauseated feeling

every time you hear the first three seconds

come through the stereo.

...Immediately you [I] think to your[my]self,

"I really need some new music.",

and skip to the next track...

...but one lucky day might come around

for your sad little music collection.

On this day, it will be redeemed and temporarily forgiven

for its redundancy by this singular,

superior piece of music,that makes you forget

about every other thing in life except what is beautiful

and positive and inspiring and pure.

It reminds you [me] of everything

that you [I] want from life.

Everything.

All at once.

(or at least within four-and-a-half minutes)

For me, this is that track.

I've been listening to it consistently

for a few years now,

and it still does it for me.

Also, the mustaches are pretty fantastic.

Add this song to your playlist. You may love yourself (or me) for it later.

Christmas gifts

2010-01-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a little thing I made for a very good friend,

Ms. Shannon Len, who resides on the Central Coast of California

and hand-crafts some of the most exquisite and unique

jewelry I have yet come across.

Her work is notably inspiring.

Acrylic on wood

and here is one for Mr. Morgan Maassen,

whose work I'm sure you are all quite familiar with...

Acrylic on wood

...such a failure in comparison to the actual photo it was inspired by.

(Morgan, please stop setting the bar quite so high;

it makes it impossible for the rest of us to reach.)

*Thanks to Mr. Jack Belli and his Ford Econo-line van project for providing the wood-scrap canvases for the above finger-paints.

**also: JACK, YOU RUN A BLOG!???? WHY DIDN'T I KNOW THISSSSSSSS??

Hello, Losers

2009-12-26T00:08:00.000-08:00

To begin with, I apologize for the lack of posting...

It rarely occurs to me that anyone might actually

be reading this digital transcript of mine

(Plus the fact that my computer is going through a "broken" phase).

But if you're not one of those people, and this is a rare occurrence for you,

I completely understand.

Moving on.

Here's a little acknowledgement to a neat little event I attended

earlier this month with an artist friend of mine.

It all went down at the very classic, very beautiful Silent Theatre in L.A....

Most visitors notice the unique seating at the front of the auditorium: plush couches!

...little does the public know how perfectly comfortable the carpet is.

The theatre also harbored a gorgeous little patio in the back, complete with heating lamps,

peering palms, and gawking neighbors. (photo: neighbor)

There were many-a-poster to be signed by the likes of Aaron Rose, Tobin Yelland, and...

well, you can read.

Overall, the event was a wild success, many of the short films screened being

ones you may have seen in the 'extras' portion of the Seedling and/or Sprout DVD's.

Here's a small sample of the visual treats we were fed, courtesy of Spike Jonze.

The Fall

2009-11-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

by Tarsem Singh

see the film.
your eyes will thank you.

rad.

2009-10-17T13:39:00.001-07:00

really, guys?

ebb and flow

2009-10-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

my new favorite gallery.

"up north"

2009-10-02T01:12:00.000-07:00

... two words i utter more often than anyone i know...

... and for good reason.

paul frank is your friend

2009-09-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

sometimes i almost wish i had poorer vision...

U.S. of A(wesome)

2009-09-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

people of wal-mart:

if you have an extra hour or two to spare

and are looking for a worthy place to waste it,

i highly recommend taking a gander over this-a-way.

Pismo Shmismo

2009-09-25T23:19:00.001-07:00

be there, or... don't be there.

...either way.

SHRED!!!

2009-09-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

come back to us, jeffe...

california misses you.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1106677912024

driving music

2009-09-21T23:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard a song

where you can remember exactly where you were the last time you heard it?

...this place

...this song

i often wonder...

2009-09-20T18:23:00.001-07:00

will we look back on our own time as one of things pure and genuine?

...maybe not.

bummer.

stars procreate. and tonight there was a love-fest.

2009-09-18T01:51:00.000-07:00

This evening while driving down the big sur coast and merrily jamming to some irie tunes, i couldn't help but indulge the impulse to veer off the paved highway into one of the car-trodden vistas and step out onto the coastal cliffs.

Imagine a sky of inky blue-black, absolutely overwhelmed with what seemed to be an entire universe of stars of varying sizes and luminosity.

Standing with my back to the road and not another human for miles, i faced the direction in which the pacific looms and allowed my head to fall back.

My eyes could not possibly seem to open wide enough to attain a steady visual of what was above me.

There was not a whisper of wind, nor the hum of a single automobile for miles around. as i stood, opened-mouthed and dry-eyed, i listened to water befalling a shoreline below and i knew i was above fullers.

Although an accurate estimate of the time i spent with my eyes to the sky and my chest to the sea eludes me, a measurement i will cite with confidence is that in all my life, i have failed to find a fair comparison the profound beauty that dwells in the vast, yet accessible wilderness that comprises the big sur region.

It seems that every occasion in which i am lucky enough to visit this place again, i think of every person in my life that i have any kind of love for, and how i hope that some day they will venture to the same places i have and experience the same speechless wonderment that i did tonight.

Next time you're there, pull your car off the road, and look up.

if you want to find me

2009-09-17T11:40:00.001-07:00

this is where i am.

.

2009-09-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

love me do.

2009-09-08T23:58:00.001-07:00

(click for close-up...you know you want to.)

just close your eyes

2009-08-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

listen and enjoy.

thank you

2009-08-23T23:39:00.000-07:00

to whoever left this on my car.

it was the sweetest orange i've ever tasted.

style for miles

2009-08-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

and a feast for the eyes.

enjoy.

Big Sur

2009-08-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

here i come.

clear water and old friends

2009-08-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

drove an empty road to the coast.

studied the ocean floor through six feet of jade-hued water.

picked avocados from the trees overhanging the highway.

doing it again tomorrow.

...i must be back home.

well up

2009-08-08T00:40:00.001-07:00

Apologies for posting two consecutive music videos, but i've been out of the water for almost a week now and today i spent four hours driving through parched flatlands,

void of any pure or refreshing vantages...

this is what got me through.

simply inspiring

2009-08-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

au lac,

2009-07-31T02:09:00.001-07:00

you are ohhh so dericious.

the creamsicle

2009-07-30T13:03:00.001-07:00

and shiny.

thanks, Dano.

scribbles from free times past

2009-07-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on Rootamental deck

for the fresh prince.

just some scribbles

2009-07-09T10:14:00.000-07:00

i do in my spare time.

Acrylic on wood

black and white

2009-07-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

the way it should be.

http://www.jonisternbach.com/index.html

the social event of the season

2009-06-30T20:59:00.001-07:00

be there or be square.

neat things

2009-06-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.fabrilestudios.com/

good times had by all

2009-06-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

here are a couple shots from the recent not-so-annual Dano 20th Anniversary party.

consisting of live music, fantastic art, free drinks, and general geniality, it was quite the shin-dig by anyone's standards.

http://danosurfboards.blogspot.com/

therapy.

2009-06-05T13:27:00.001-07:00

leaving my home...

2009-05-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

...for now, at least.

2009-05-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

this is rainbow country.

Yay aaand...yay.

2009-05-25T21:40:00.000-07:00

The 'bu.

Bu-nana.

Mali-bro.

Whatever you like to call it, it's amazing.

"It is art that makes grand our own stupid lives."

2009-05-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

Musica Surfica. Try watch.

New Pleasure, Old Pleasure.

2009-05-22T01:49:00.000-07:00

Spoke with a man today about getting some new wave-sliding equipment...

talk about making my day.

color scheme: coke bottle-green and creme de la cream