Magic still happens.
Case in point: stars aligned and we were lucky enough to be in LA for Maggie Marsek’s show at Shelter Surf Shop. I’m lying a wee bit, Maggie’s show was actually a large impetus for the timing of our trip. It was wonderful seeing her photos up-close and personal. Large, yummy prints made from real film. And it was equally awesome to finally meet up with Maggie and her man Rob (70 Percent.org). Rob and I have been talking back and forth, across the internet tubes, for a few years now and it was super nice to put a smile and a face to the legend.
Along with Maggie’s work, I was fortunate enough to meet Ryan Tatar (Shakas and Singlefins) and to peep his photographic work that coincidentally is also hanging in Shelter. I’ve written about Ryan’s work before.
I have to give it up to Graham at Shelter for being such an ardent supporter of local surf photogs. It’s easy to rely on established talent to coat the walls of your shop, but Graham is really pushing the edge. Finding new, untapped talent and giving them a podium to show their stuff. keep it up Graham!
To top off a very very cool night, I got to meet JP of Moonlight Glassing and Surfy Surfy fame. He is one of the most down to earth, humble cats I’ve ever met. Heart of gold. I resisted the urge to (over-enthusiastically) get him to sign my tshirt. I know the boards he glasses are shaped by other people, but his work is truly a work of art. Reading Surfy Surfy, seeing a visual diary of all the new boards coming through his family’s shop, coming in as shaped foam and leaving as pieces of realized art. It’s a daily education on classical surf craft form.
It was super nice to meet all these people from the surf blogosphere, putting faces to blog header graphics. Living in a small mexican town can be a wee bit isolating sometimes (offset by multiple uncrowded surf breaks) so it was nice to have a night of Tecates, photography and new friends all in the name of surf culture.
Thanks Maggie, Rob, Graham, Ryan and JP for a wicked night.
boo yah, great to meet you and yours as well Ed. Enjoy your uncrowded breaks as we paddle out with the masses… and maybe our paths will cross one day soon down there.