OMG

Ok, time for a short shitty story. I kooked it last Tuesday surfing south jetty. I got it the day before firing and no one surfed because they thought it was small. I thought I might get some barrels Tuesday morning so I headed down early to catch the offshore flow. I got condos kinda fun. Super crowded at the jetty so I paddled down the beach 100 yards and surfed literally by myself. Funny how that works... You see a guy get a fun wave so you immediately think if you surf right by him you will get an equal amount of fun waves. I can't f*cking stand it when people do that. So I paddled down the beach and surfed not as great of a wave, but by myself. I got out, ate lunch, then paddled back out only to get 2 waves before 50% of Brazil paddled out and gave no respect in the lineup. I took off on a nice looking left with a wedgey opportunity, went to do a backside snap, front foot came off, wave pushed board to me so I covered my head. Rail hit wrist. Fractured my write ulna (outer bone). So I'm out of the water for a few weeks.

I was going to see my girlfriend yesterday at her work. I was pulling down Surfrider Way, and saw the water was glassy. I thought I would give it a look just for the calming manner the ocean can have on someone that can't surf. I pull down to north side of the pier to find 3 guys out and it's the best I've seen Oceanside all 2010, NO JOKE. I call Will and the Chemistry guys and tell them to stop working and come surf immediately. I walk on the pier and stand in the rain for about 15 minutes just watching top to bottom peaks come in all over. Oceanside was trying to mimic Blacks yesterday, and doing a damn good job. I went and grabbed lunch (to go), saw the girl at her work, then drove back to the pier to watch incredible waves. Jason Bennett got some sick ones. The combo pic with the bw barrel shot on the left is Jason. The rest are some waves that looked kind of fun. So it's not a short story. I'm trying to get my motion back in my wrist.

Shot 1- Cheyne Magnusson
Shot 5- Jason Bennett

lOve

I bought my new strobe kit and have been psyching on shooting more film. I haven't shot anything in months except a few rolls here and there so I bought some ISO 50,100,400,3200. PSYCCCCHING

Jason Bennett - Chemistry Surfboards

I haven't posted in awhile so before I get to the post, let me tell you that I've been shooting a lot of 35mm film lately. I haven't shot digital in months and I've been experimenting with a lot of different film on the shelves. I'll fill you in more on that later. My posts will start up again real soon.

Now, I strongly feel that much credit is due to many parties in this post (or not). First, Chemistry Surfboards because this post is about them. Photographers Cole Barash, Garrett Cortese, and Jimmy Fontaine, because they are 3 photographers that are good friends of mine and I look up to them for inspiration and creativity. I feel their work is something that I try and mimic in certain ways. They have all helped me in one way or another.

Last week I was coming up from work in San Diego and thought I would stop by the Chemistry shop. Hanging at Chemistry happens to be one of my favorite ways to kill time. The company appeals to myself and many others for a few solid reasons.

1- A few of my good friends work there. Chemistry is made up from a small collective of creative individuals, Jason Bennett being the mastermind of it all.
2- Chemistry is artistic by all means. Surfing is an art, no matter which side of the line you argue. Over the years it's been proven that surfing has been, is, and always will be artistic. The crew at Chemistry provides that appealing medium in everything they do whether it's board shapes, after hour parties (2010 Chem party), or paintings and music making.

3- This is the most important thing. Handshaped boards built by shapers that rip. It's almost imperative that your shaper knows how to stand up on a wave and go down the line. Well my shaper (Jason Bennett) has gotten magazine covers, sections in videos (J Clip), and to say he rips is an understatement.

So... back to stopping by Chemistry. Like always, I didn't give give Jason or Will heads up that I was stopping by. I stepped through the front door to see Jason at the front counter talking with Will about board orders, surf video playing on the tv, and a few new painted sticks in the show room. I figured the element of surprise would be the best way to get Jason in his element, shaping. He went back in the shaping room and I got some gear set up and started shooting the show room. I was psyched to see new tee designs (by Chem artist Scott Seiver). Will threw me a new XL Chem tee my way, THANKS WILL! So if you haven't gotten all your Christmas goodies yet, stop by the Chem shop and grab a new tee, they also have womens available.

I then approached Jason's shaping room. I setup my strobe kit in there and he kept shaping like I was nowhere in sight. I'm thinking perfect, I can get Jason in his element, shaping. I'm not sure the process of shaping a board, but I imagine he was in there for sometime before I even arrived at Chemistry. I shot some photos, waited, shot some more, waited, then shot some more. I was waiting for the signature on the bottom of the board. He then asked me if I was ready to shoot the signature. I told him to sign away, and like that, the artists canvas was completed (excluding glassing and sanding). I then stepped out of the room and shot a couple of Cody packaging some boards up to ship. It was an entire order for one Japanese guy. Must be nice.

I packed up my stuff, drank my OJ that Tommy got for me at Z Mart, then headed home. Next time you surf, take the time to appreciate the creation you are riding. Lots of time and creative energy goes into that, by more than one person. Big thanks to Jason, Will, Scott, and everyone else at Chemistry that makes surfing fun for me and YOU! Keeping the art flowing. Be sure to check out Chemistry Surfboards for your next shape, or even some shop goodies.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Rusty

Jason Bennett of Chemistry Surfboards, in his element.

Tools

An artists mark

Cody prepping a happy customers shipment.

The man with the master plan, offering you quality shapes.

Andy Irons Lightbox from Surfing Magazine

Surfing Magazine did an amazing piece dedicated to the late Andy Irons. His life inspired many and will never be forgotten. Cheers Andy, you will be missed.

JOEL PARKINSON TRIBUTE TO ANDY IRONS

I saw this on Dion's blog...

JOEL PARKINSON TRIBUTE TO ANDY IRONS
“Wes [Berg, Joel’s trainer] rang me yesterday morning. I had two missed calls back-to-back from Wes so I knew something must be up. When he finally got me he asked if the kids were around. I told him they were and he told me it was best I just walk away from them for a second. Then he told me what had happened. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I went white and I bawled. Right there on the spot. But then I went into shock and I was in this state of shock all day yesterday. A bunch of us went up to the surf club at Snapper yesterday afternoon and had a few beers and cried and told Andy stories. We were talking about when we went over to the desert in West Oz last year to surf and were there for Occ’s birthday. We surfed that righthander, just me and Andy out surfing together. Then we had to sleep in a two-man tent head-to-toe and he complained the whole time because he hated camping. There were so many memories. I remember flipping a chocolate bar in Japan with him for priority in a heat we had together back in 2003. But that was just one… there were a million of them.
“I think I felt worse today than I did yesterday. I woke up this morning and just bawled because it was real now. Yesterday I was numb with the shock of hearing the news, but I woke up today and it was real. I’m never going to see him again. I’m never going to see my friend. He’s gone. I went and trained at the gym Andy and I used to train at, but I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I was waiting for him just to walk through the door.
“I’m really thinking of the guys over in Puerto Rico right now. I really miss them at a time like this, and it must be really hard for the guys who are still in the contest to have to deal with losing their friend but having to keep on surfing. It sucks for the guys still in it, but the contest has to go on. I’m feeling like all this is happening a long way away, and I’m really missing being around my friends on tour.
“I was supposed to be travelling with Andy this year. Before I cut my foot we had it all sorted out that I was going to be travelling with him for the rest of the year, through California, Europe and Puerto Rico. I was going to be travelling with him and Freddy [Patacchia] and we were all going to be hanging out together as this little team. And we were already talking about travelling together next year, taking the girls and the kids to Tahiti. The thought of him dying alone in a hotel room just wrecks me.
“As a surfer he had that mad dog in him. He wasn’t afraid of anything, and wore his heart on both his sleeves. He was the most emotional surfer I’ve ever seen. He had that unbelievable aggression in his surfing, and he became one of the best. I idolised him. If Andy put his mind to it there was nothing he couldn’t do on a wave, and over the years I’ve seen him do some of the most incredible things on the most incredible waves. He and Kelly, between them, have owned surfing for the past 10 years.
“When I was talking to Mick [Fanning] on the phone yesterday I said to him that I think I understand now how he must have felt when his brother, Sean died, because Andy was like a brother to me. He was one of my best friends. You know what I liked about Andy? He remembered everyone. He had this ability to remember faces and names and people in places he hadn’t been to in a decade. People meant everything to him, and he made everyone feel special. You didn’t need to be a professional surfer. He’d meet so many people over the years in all the places he’d been, but he’d remember their names and he had time for all of them. He had that quality. He got involved in people’s lives and took an interest in people’s lives. It didn’t matter who you were. And I know he died young, but he lived his life to the fullest, and what he did in 32 years would take most people 132 years.
“My heart goes out to Lyndie, his son, Bruce, his family, his Hawaiian crew and everyone around the world he reached out to.
“Andy was a king; a king of surfing.
“Love you, mate.”
Joel

Sarah Palin Interview

I shot an exclusive interview and speech with Sarah Palin today in West Virginia. Phil Loiacono was interviewing with additional footage from Michael Palmer, Christy Loiacono, and Tony Loiacono.

OUT!

I'm out for awhile. Traveling across the US. Update soon.

Love
R

We Love Creativity - Kelli Murray

Have you ever wanted something original, something that only a few others might have? Now's your chance to get a limited edition print, 50 total, by the famous Kelli Murray. Click WELC to head over to the store and get yerr filthy hands on it quick!

The Bilge

Check out my homies Ian, Tommy, and Vincent at The Bilge.

PHOTO BY RUSTY

I just got some stuff up on my new site.

We Love Creativity + 944

I can't thank my good friend Brooks Sterling enough for all that he has done. If it weren't for him, a certain group of us probably would have never had the opportunity to do art shows in San Diego. Not just San Diego, but the top venues in San Diego; The Ivy Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Syrah Wine Parlor, to name a few. I did 2 art shows at my house in 2006 and 2007. Brooks came to me with the idea of hosting one at a large venue. We came up with the artists, and I was lucky enough to be one of them. We did the first show at the Ivy Hotel on Friday April 11th, 2008 and it was a HUGE success. Brooks HANDLED business! Since then, he has blown up. Setting up shows over the past 3 years, at numerous venues in Southern California and raising money for certain charities. I have been lucky to be part of 4 of those shows and I am even more blessed to call Brooks one of my closest friends. 944 Magazine just did a review on 13 people revving up the art scene in SD. Brooks is one of them. Check him out and SUPPORT local artists!

More love...

WELC

944 MAGAZINE

SYRAH

IVY HOTEL

HARD ROCK HOTEL

We Love Creativity founder Brooks Sterling is featured in the October Art Issue of 944 Magazine. The section titled Culture Shockers featured 13 Creative Minds Propelling San Diego’s Art Scene Forward.

The article was written by Nicole Quiroz with photos by Karen Morrison. The 13 “Creative Minds” included the likes of Chris Stamp, Jack Stricker, Italian Japanese, Ryan Crowley, Ann Berchtold, Julie Schraeger, April Game, and good friend Kelli Murray. Make sure to check out the feature online at 944.com and pick up a free copy at your local boutique, salon, or coffee house.

Oakley - Imaginarium

Well produced. Nice job Oakley...

YWT

New from Young Wise Tails

Young Wise Tails Episode 3-NYC! from youngwisetails on Vimeo.

123456789

Tonight I had dinner with my other family, the Daniels. I see them a few times a month which is always nice. My long lost brother, Trey, informed me that he has moved on from an old historic romance novel he was writing. It's storyline was about Bali trips and motorbikes or something like that. He put the pen down for a few years leaving us who are curious about his excursions eager to read another chapter. Well, he's back at it again. Ink blotting his creative genius into pixels on a screen. If you enjoy creative writing and beautiful scenic pictures, I highly recommend you start following Trey's blog. CLICK HERE

Andrew Arthur

This kid Andrew is coming up... some mento shots.

WELC - Eric Wixon

My good homie Eric Wixon gets a little Q & A time on WELC... check it!

Another beautiful woman...

Bar Rafaeli shot by Mike Piscitelli

Music

Foster The People - "Pumped Up Kicks"

Panels

If you worked last Saturday like me and missed the Panels show at Ivy, you GOTTA check out this video of the crew doing work. Also check out our friends at WELC for info on the next show.

Sorry for partying... Chemistry style.

Last Saturday Chemistry Surfboards threw another rad party. Sorry for the amount of photos and no viewer window.
For more love, visit these sites...
Chemistry Surfboards
The Photobooth Company