JonSteelePhoto

Skateboarding is NOT a Crime

2012-02-10T12:18:00.001-08:00

Skateboarding is NOT a Crime in ANY LANGUAGE!!!

-Ecuador

Josh Buran Survival story

2012-02-09T13:58:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Jackson Isaacs for contacting me.. The internet can be an amazing tool at times..
here is a story that he helped with and I am stoked that it didn't take a turn for the worse.. I love hangin out with Josh and he is good people... I'm grateful he is still around to enjoy more good times and waves together..

Be nice to your fellow surfers.. they might just save your life!
LINK: Josh Buran Survival Story

Life Is Good....

2012-02-08T18:06:00.000-08:00

Keep on Keepin' on! Doin time in Ecuador
Getting better and barrels

Healthy

2012-02-07T11:56:00.003-08:00

Healthy again!!! whew.. dodged a bullet on that one!!!

Update soon!!!!
Ecuador is RAD!!!

Travelin!!!

2012-02-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

Been travelin....
:)
Will update here soon...

German and Texans

2012-02-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

The Board painting is for a Houston girl I taught how to surf this past summer..
now she is fired up and wanted this painted.. Stoked.. ( Its' lyric is from a German song about Sirens calling sailors to their death ) ..

THe "Trestles Special" is for RD... HUGE THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT AND PURCHASES!!
(Just give me an address brother and I'm shipping em out today on the way to the airport..

Texas Surf History revised

2012-02-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

More from the Texas Surf History..

I will be traveling tonite into tomorrow and for the next 2 months with little internet access..
Please keep checkin in. .

Christian Fletcher in Texas

2012-01-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

Christian and I were tryin to figure out who shot this sequence of him in South Padre in the 1988 or so contest that came to town.
this is the second in the largest contests that have ever come to Texas..
I believe it was US championships.....

(Please correct me)
anywho, I thought it was Erich Schlegel who shot this.. he states his water housing then couldnt shoot that fast..

Amazing story on why all of his sponsor stickers are covered in Tape.. due to an NSSA rule...

Leafy Sea Dragons

2012-01-29T15:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a commissioned 8x10 piece I just finished...
I'm catching up on everything as I will be traveling for a stint and updates will become less frequent but travel related.
Leafy Sea Dragons

Josh Buran

2012-01-29T06:45:00.001-08:00

Gnarly interveiw with Josh Buran
Thanks to Jackson for getting a hold of me and getting me fired up to do the article. You will see it here shortly.
GNARLY
http://youtu.be/Ux63PBT2wRA

Nicaragua

2012-01-28T07:29:00.001-08:00

Had a great trip out to Nicaragua with Garrett McNamara..
good times and great waves..

enjoy
ESPN article: NICARAGUA

Commissioned Art Work

2012-01-27T21:55:00.000-08:00

Another fun board commissioned this week for the 4 Mistele boys room..
Stoked and what a fun one to do..
Fishin, riding bikes, surfing, fourwheelin and skating pools... awesome..
Thanks to Sector 9 for the decks..
Hope you got some waves today..

Surfboard Art

2012-01-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

Got 2 new shred sleds from Ryan over at Nation Mfg. for my upcoming trip..
put some color on em just to make em pop..
6'1... SUPER interested to ride this as it was a dupe from an older one I really loved

6'3 step up yowza board..

Gone surfing for a day or two..

White Kaps and Skating

2012-01-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a short piece I worked on...
I didn't have too much time to edit but you get the point..
I was just in touch with my old friends the White Kaps... KC and the band are awesome...
Gonna shoot some more videos with them upon my return..

Skate or Die the movie
Link
http://youtu.be/SGsZ744e7VA

ahha old footage is rad to go through..

Art For Sale

2012-01-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

Here are two pieces for sale..
$50 each..
they are about 8x12 each give or take...
I would LOVE to sell them this week to help pay for my upcoming trip.. thanks!!
OR if you would like , i can do one custom for you... Just hit me up on my email: JonSteelephoto@gmail.com
Black's Beach

Wind-N-Sea!

Frankie Hill

2012-01-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

Frankie Hill is an old friend.. I have spoke of him before..
f/s boardslide in Santa Barbara.... all of these shots were taken around 1997-2000

He is consistent with his tricks as the day is long...
Been working on some hardrives and getting stuff together for him so I got to work on these photos.
It was amazing to work with him as a film/ photo student for my assignments cause he was so consistent...
Good times and I have TONS more to scan of Frankie...
Shot this at the Farmers Market on the Mesa in midday.. thats how confident we were with shooting.. took us literally 8 mins or so....

Goleta speed snap ollies

Carpenteria park fence gap

Another Fence Ollie speed snap.

same gap, different angle

Mute speed blur downtown Santa Barbara

UCSB board slide to fakie.. We have shots of him feebling this rail, i just need to scan it again.

Winter

2012-01-23T07:19:00.001-08:00

Bday has come and gone and no real big deal.. thanks to all who wished me well..
it was a nice day and got some work done..
Here is a fun photo of my sisters dog.. yes cause i was bored one day and testing out a camera.. hahah

a random shot of my brother playing guitar at his house in utah.

missed some surf yesturday but will make it up here shortly as I pick up new boards tomorrow.. hope you have a great day.

Celebrating Life

2012-01-22T12:16:00.000-08:00

got this from my good friend Robert up in Yakutat Alaska..
thanks friend... super pumped on gettin this today...

I had a great shoot this morning with Josh Buran and and new friend Jackson... Story to be told at a later date :)

So it's a good day to be celebrating life...
i hope you are gettin some waves.

Here are outtakes from a shoot I was on last week at the Olympics training facility in Chula Vista..
We got some great shots and good work done.. Thanks for the work Jorge!!
entrance:

one of 3 Bmx tracks

Lunch was super healthy

Old Friends

2012-01-21T12:09:00.001-08:00

nice rainy day off watching my old shred buddy John Ponts skate in Alaska and fly planes on Discovery channel... soo fun..

Here is a photo i shot at the sec 9 office the other day...
EG and Rob check out a present he got for Hank III... its a cigar box gitbox...
reaaaaaaaal classy..

Commissioned Art Work

2012-01-20T16:24:00.001-08:00

This was another Commissioned piece recently..
Stoked how this one came out...
Board by Sector 9

Here are a few pieces that are for sale.. I commissioned these for a client and she decided to go bigger!!!
So I am selling these for $50 a peice.. they are about 8x11 when cropped.
my photo shop crashed so i haven't been able to do color work on the recent stuff (not that I am cheating / just cleaning up..)

Wind-N-Sea and Blacks.. Email me if you want to purchase these... Free Shipping...

Ecuador

2012-01-20T15:46:00.000-08:00

WHo's Ready for Ecuador????!!!!??

I AM!!!!
Huge thanks to Sector 9 for the recent hook up, the spot at the team house and boards I'm working on tons of art with!!!
EG and the gang rule...

Here is one of the parks we are goin after in Ecuador...

:) HAIL YEAH!!!

Got my Astrodeck ready for my new Nation Mfg. boards coming this week.. SOOO PUMPED...

Even placed an order for a new waterhousing... Oh YEAH (insert Kool Aid guy voice over here)

Sand Spit

2012-01-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

While painting above the city in the hills i was constantly surrounded by a covey of 20 or so Quail..
They were kinda skiddish when they came out of the thick brush but would be 3 feet away from me in the bushes..
hahah
it was great hanging out for a couple hours with them anyway and hearing them talk back and forth...
i managed to pop off a few photos..

Was stoked to walk down to the spit after shooting all morning.. Grabbed a pint of my favorite and see what it was gonna do on a low tide. Randomly was met by a fully charged Brandon (whom I totally lost his email hours later after swearing i would not loose it early) hahaha
iphones need to have a trash bin to retreve stuff like that..

Thanks for saying hi! that's what gets me more pumped than ever and keeps me charging when people who enjoy my work tell me...

been a long week with work but pumped... lets keep it goin...

Quail

2012-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

Shot photos of these buggas' while I was cruising around shooting some lineups..
I LOVE Quail.. I have never hunted this type but they sure are georgeous..
Blog has been laggin cause I have been working like a hog.....
Tons of cool stuff coming up....

Art for Sale

2012-01-16T13:22:00.000-08:00

So I'm planning a trip out to the Galapagos and gettin rid of some art at discounted rates as to get my new water housing for the trip of a lifetime..
SOO......
This painting is of the San Clemente Pier and a view that is pretty fun and intense when its cracking lefts into the lifeguard tower.... I LOVE This Wave and it rarely breaks.. for this week only I will be selling it for $300

So as much as I love this painting I was selling it and will ship it to you if interested. I will take a tape measure to it but its about 3ft by 4 ft.

Barrels or Airs?

2012-01-16T10:15:00.000-08:00

Which one is mo' bettah?

Lineups

2012-01-15T10:34:00.001-08:00

Things have been super busy..
Here is a fun lineup...
I will get caught up here tomorrow..

Bout to start packin for Ecuador and more...

enjoy this... I know Taylor Gordon did..

Murals and Lineups

2012-01-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

So I have been helping my brother with his new bike shop opening up this Monday..
it has been a blast and looks amazing..
Here is the mural I have been working on... I finish tomorrow and will take final photos of it..

Its cold here in Utah... Not alot of snow but cold...

Here is a link to the latest photos I have shot from last week
SURFING IN CALIFONIA

Enjoy your day.....

Surf Spots

2012-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

Had a blast..

Thanks to all on my facebook page tried to help me out with some floorspace..
I appreciate it and met some new friends because of it..
Anywho... saw some Texans at the 'con, got some b/s speed floaters on my Garabaldi by Hail Yeah!!!
Got some fun barrels at the 'spit as well on Jimbos Quad!!!
WORKING REAL NICE UNCLE!!!!

I'm better off when I'm chasing waves....

Art Imitating Life

2012-01-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

I had a great week of work and visiting with friends.. I took a day off of chasing waves to enjoy painting in the hills of Santa Barbara..
This piece is for sale $50

Surfing Rincon and shooting it was fun...
This piece is sold..

Working on a custom order now...
Got a favorite wave??? Hit me up and I can paint it for ya.....

Freezing

2012-01-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

It is Freaking Freezing here in SLC Utah!!!
I'm here working on my brothers new bike shop... .So if you are in the area and need bikes or bike works.. (all types )
come check out his new shop!!!
Beehive Bikes...
wooohooo...

Had a blast meeting up with longtime friend Brandon Arroyan and talking work and fun...

Took a photo of the Mission in SB... It was one of our first assignments at Brooks... now i just shoot it with my iphone instead of my 4x5 ... hahahah

Rincon starting to turn on.. Had a few fun waves and good times with old friends there!!! Stoked to be back in SB!

Dinner with Legend shooter, shaper and all around Badass David Pu'u....!!!!
Rob Dafoe met with us and had a blast just like old times!!!

Waves by NOW

2012-01-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

By Now you have seen All the surf photos from all the spots...
so i will save u the hassle...
I got some waves and some shots...
stoked...
Here are some older waves on some skate decks from San Clemente Skates...
Stoked to get paid and get some artwork out on the boards..

still surfin'

2012-01-07T07:24:00.001-08:00

check back later
waves are still pumping

Gone Surfin'!

2012-01-05T08:49:00.001-08:00

check back later....

Gone Surfin'!

Skeet Shooting

2012-01-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Blessed to go skeet shooting with my dad a while back...
Here we are shooting trap.. a different game where they "birds" come out of the house infront of us...
good times..

Layday before checkin waves here shortly..

New Year, New Swells

2012-01-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

alright!!!
a small rocky point photo just to keep you interested.

worked yesturday teaching surf!!!
amazing male seal lion came into the shore and was cruising on the inside break!!! amazing!!!

Had a great time with a repeat client.. The kid is cool...
Just excited about the upcoming swell and potential upcoming work...
stoked....
Hope all is well in your new year...
Amazing hike this year...
Found some old pill boxes used during the war and some amazing overviews of the swells in Hawaii..

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T14:34:00.000-08:00

Got to surf with my friend today.. Ran into Archy and Justin Matteson... cool...
threw some horse shoes and chilling now after a hot shower..
I am refraining from doin a end of the year wrap up blog that would include
Rob Machado sessions

I'm definately not gonna rehash some of the most fun surf trips I had this year..even if it rained from time to time.

Not gonna bring up new spots . i was able to shoot and surf firing for the first time...

Enjoying amazing pheasant hunting in south dakota with my dad and family wasn't gonna be mentioned once I promised myself.....

Texas thoughts were done for the year until I go back hunting in January and not mention it till then...

BUT.... I was goin to wish everyone a Happy New Year and to a successful 2012 if the Aztecs don't wipe us out tonite..

Christmas Artwork

2011-12-30T12:11:00.000-08:00

Did a couple pieces of art for my dad and auntie on Kauai.
Stoked on the pieces and they were fun to do..
I hope you are having a great day.. surf is about to get good..

Buck the hunting dog..

Turtle for Auntie

Vera Cruz

2011-12-29T09:39:00.000-08:00

Here is an old video from a spot down south..
It gets really good just need to wait out the wind...

Vera Cruz

Old Hunting ton beach video.. I think it was on Surfline....
enjoy

Secret Spots

2011-12-28T13:46:00.000-08:00

I would tell you where this wave is.......
but then i would have to change the name of this blog addition.....

Sean Collins

2011-12-27T08:58:00.000-08:00

ITs been a great week here in Laguna..
Missed some surf but gettin some work done and relaxing with my lady.. Stoked..
Amazing hike up the hill reveals an amazing skyline of Laguna....

Sean Collins, friend, boss, visionary and surfer passed away yesturday.. Its something I will touch on more as he has been a big part of my life... That will come as I think about the amazing times we had and the great coversations...
Aloha Sean!!!!!!!!!
enjoy your day..

Life in Laguna

2011-12-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

You could get really hurt on this thing..

Got to surf the Garibaldi in Laguna..

Spot check!!! EPIC!!!

BLESSED

2011-12-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

SO BLESSED... What a gorgeous day in Laguna...
Im working on some other photos but thought if you were somewhere cold, these would help..

AMazing times in Tahiti..

Couple of puddle jumping rides to paradise..
this is Bora Bora...

Above and Below the Reef pass.

Google the ingredients of Fafaru... NEVER under any circumstances try this.... I did..
ahhaha

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T12:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve...

Its a gorgeous day here Laguna... Spending Christmas Eve with my lady... Actually 12 days of Christmas with her before she leaves to ecuador..

stoked... Its hot in the sun here... goin on a hike later....
Badfoot is upstairs hungover.. hahahah

Surf is good down south but Its boyfriend / girlfriend time and I'm cool with that...
:)
here are some shots from the Train last time I took it when it was sunny and hot out with some south running.

Commissioned Art Work

2011-12-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas Commission Piece as a whole...

Christmas Commission upclose sections:

Piece I made for my sister..

Commissioned for Keith!!! Stoked..

North Shore Wrap Up Part 2

2011-12-21T10:30:00.001-08:00

SOOOO Today is my last day here in Hawaii for the season..
Bummed actually.... but heading back to start a new adventure.. :) Stoked..
So just finished a Pipeline edit and pretty much all wrapped up ready to come home and relax over Christmas with a girl thats pretty special to me.. So I will trade in some warmth here for some cold Laguna and relaxing and planning Ecuador trips.
Tanner Gudauskas got a frothy one..

Saw a bunch of Rainbows....

The Paparazzi was in full force....

Jamie O'Brien got some Pipe Bombs...

I was inspired to do alot of art! Alot of it has already sold!!

And.....
I even sold an ad photo of Rastovich to Sector 9... STOKED!!!

I won't be bloggin on the 22nd due to travel day jumping back into a lot of work but will update ya when I get settled... Hope there will be waves in the place I will be staying.. Would be fun to surf some new spots in the cold...
THANKS HAWAII!!!!!!
HAD AN AMAZING TIME THIS YEAR!!!
Thanks to Jimbo and all my friends and Sector 9 who helped make it such an amazing year!!

North Shore Wrapup

2011-12-21T08:59:00.000-08:00

North Shore Wrapup

This is a video I just did for ESPN.. Stoked.. It was shot the beginning of the season.. Pretty fun but small..
enjoy..

Skate Day

2011-12-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

So stoked to have access to this ramp.. The park on the island is fun. But i Do love skating by myself or my friend Noah who owns this ramp... So Gscott and myself skated the ramp with Noah the other day.. Such a good time and great kid..

got some time to play as the waves were a tad junky..
found a little smith to lipslide in the pocket..

Trusty layback to revert out..

Texas Plant in Hawaii.

Sloppy air but I get em where I can..

who cares as long as you're having fun!!!
now go skate!!!

Kalani David

2011-12-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

Kalani David has been charging lately... He wadded up on this one real bad but the man was goin for it!! stoked for him!!!

Kelly Slater Vs. The Pipeline

2011-12-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

Kelly Is and amazing surfer... Kelly surfs pipe probably better than anyone... JOB and John are amazing as well.. But Kelly takes the show...

Board for Sale

2011-12-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

Selling this nice 6ft shred sled for $100...
its used and not abused.... still rides good.. just trying to get rid of it before leaving the islands..
aloha!!

Here is a shot of it from Jimmy Wilson at Rocky Point the other day!! SOOOOO STOKED!!!!
Thanks Jimmicane!!!

Pipeline,

2011-12-17T10:11:00.000-08:00

The Pipeline turned on yesturday full bore!!!
This was a shot from the week prior it went off.... yesturday was better...

editing through piles of photos today and more waves coming!!!
Kelly Slater Backdoor

Shane Wiggins

2011-12-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

Shane Wiggins is a good surfer and skater... I was able to get a Sector 9 under his feet last time I was in town..
He sent me this photo of f/s air in Port Aransas... Good park...
Keep on ripping Shane!!!

Coconuts with Gavin Beschen

2011-12-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

On a down day Gavin Beschen and I did an interview..It came out really good and can't wait to show ya'll!!!

Here are some fun photos from the shoot

Here is the video: http://espn.go.com/action/surfing/blog/_/post/7349131/gavin-vs-coconuts

Top Turns to reverses and the Likes

2011-12-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

Everybodys doin it...

Art for Sale

2011-12-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Pipeline....
Inspired by the past swell last week.
For Sale $100

Friends of the North Shore

2011-12-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Jim has an old Brewer that I am blessed to ride.... I had a blast on it the other day...
Gscott shot photos of me at Pupekea on it... We had a blast...

THanks to GScott for shootin the photos in the rain... good times..

Gavin Beschen and I talk dimensions on the beach

I want to put a tail pad on this board.. And I am trying REAL hard not to put any heal marks in the thing...
This board GOES!!

Some small wave thrashin and a nice cover up to fuel the rest of the day... wooohoo..
thanks for shooting GScott!!!

Misc. North Shore

2011-12-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Kalani Chapman punts one...

R. Sleigh's board

Gheckos get it on frequently on the lanai...

The North Shore just went nutz..... Pipe fired on all cylinders and John Florence rose to the occasion... So stoked for him....

PipeMasters

2011-12-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Keiran Perrow just won the PipeMasters and super stoked for him..
I saw him out at dark every morning working toward s this... I like his surfing , his attitude and he absolutely charges...

way to go......

Dusty Payne punts before the swell fills in....

Stoked to have all the coast gaurds and lifeguards close..

Bike Path

2011-12-09T09:43:00.000-08:00

The Bike path is one of the best ways to get around on the North Shore... it can be deadly in the dark after a few drinks so always two hands on the handlebars.....

its about 3 miles from sunset beach to foodland.. I do about 7-9 miles aday on this thing..

Pipeline, Art, Boards

2011-12-08T19:40:00.000-08:00

Jimbo shows off that SeaBass' board is almost done...

the Dog Pound gets a plaque from and old skate deck.. art by me...

Pipe Went off today!

amazing surfing goin on today.

North Shore Diaries

2011-12-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

Couple good waves have been ridden.

Jimbo cooks up turkey #3 for Thanksgiving..

Its hard to bitch about work when your feet are in the sand...

Cory Lopez

2011-12-06T11:17:00.001-08:00

Cory is a rad guy.... He works hard and surfs nutz!!! i love the way he surfs and sooo stoked to have been working with him all this year.... More great stuff to come from this guy this year..

Hawaiian Waves

2011-12-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

Bring on the Waves!!!!
Forecast is looking pretty promising and some photogs are amped on what they are anticipating..
I would love for this to go off for the next 3 to 4 days!! woohoo....

Waimea evening with JP.. good times..

This is a frame grab from the movie HIGH WATER which Dana Brown produced a couple years ago about the North Shore..
I was blessed to be asked and put into the film..... SOOO SToked!!!!!!
Enjoy your day...

Sunset Beach Hawaii

2011-12-03T22:06:00.000-08:00

Its Saturday nite and I'm bloggin....
Gonna take a day off tomorrow.. hahah.. j/k I will be editing some more on the futures fins commercial i'm doing....
stoked... it's coming together fun. Lots of work on tap and waves are coming... Hope to get some more work goin so lets cross our fingers on an upcoming job..
Shot some photos of the sunset contest the other day.. They had some good waves come in...

Ace Buchanon surfed well.

Hank Gaskell is my hero....

Ripping!!!

I LOVE Gheckos!!!!!

John Florence surfed really well and won..

Gudangs

2011-12-03T09:02:00.000-08:00

Tanner and Dane and Pat Gudauskas are all time!!!
I love their surfing and love being around them!!
They are all really great guys.... Pat is out with a busted ankle this year and is truly missed.....
Tanner and Dane keep on Keepin on!!

Sage Erickson

2011-12-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

Sage rips.... I've known here for quite some time and she is a surfer... She surfs hard and seems to really love it....

Carrissa Moore vs. Sunset Beach

2011-12-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

Carissa Moore rips... i wish she had found a few more waves during her heat. She definately put them together when she got em..
These shots were taken from Rockys looking into Sunset. So stoked for Carissa

Japan Loves the Death Weasel

2011-11-30T10:22:00.000-08:00

SO I did a fashion shoot with a Japanese magazine yesturday after working all day...
damn im tired and still tons more work to be done....
SO being as i NEVER wear ties or coats... thats what makes this photo even more funny.. I made some money so I am stoked.
Great group of guys to work with... Super fun and creative shooot...
can't wait to see it in print!
enjoy your day.. waiting on waves!!

MMMMM Hawaii

2011-11-29T09:25:00.000-08:00

Never seen a white one of these.....

Hiding from a passing rain storm waiting to shoot..........

So I take it, its big out there????............

Surf Board Art

2011-11-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Ran into this guy Ruben the other day... Cool piece of work!!
WAY COOL!!

Hawaiian Big Waves

2011-11-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hawaii is beautiful.

Waves picked up today and JP and Rich and i picked up some beers and steaks last nite..
Good times with great friends..

Rockys picked up the other day and we got some good work started..

Bert had us over for Turkey day and showed me all of his homemade lures.... Sooo Sick.!!!
Rich cooks turkey #6 of 10 !!!

Cook em up!!!!

Breakfast with Rastovich

2011-11-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

Dave is definately one of my favorite surfers.. He murders it on twin fins....
I have seen him weed through tons of barrels on this boards..

working on a Futures Fins commercial at the moment with him.. Stoked.!!!!

Aloha

2011-11-25T10:21:00.000-08:00

Hope you had a great turkey day!!
Off to work I go!!
Have a great day!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:42:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for alot of things.. I try to remind myself of this daily..
Jaime O'Brien getting one in the evening time.

Tanner Rozunko

2011-11-23T09:34:00.000-08:00

Tanner is a good guy.. He surfs well and skates good... WE had a blast shooting some clips and photos last nite...
Waves picked up and we are waiting for the morning sickness to subside...

I hope you are having a great day.. I am Thankful!!

ClaireBear

2011-11-22T09:28:00.000-08:00

Claire is a champ!!
I love working with Claire.. We have had a great time on the NS and hope to get some more work done with her here!

Gulf Coast's Favorite Surfer

2011-11-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

Cory is definately one of my favorite surfers.. he is definately the Gulf Coast's Favorite Surfer.

I have been working on some videos with Cory lately...
enjoy this..

Skating with the Alien

2011-11-20T11:54:00.000-08:00

Gavin is awesome..
He shot some video of me the other day..
Not the best tricks, but fun nontheless and Gavin's narration is priceless!!

FLAT

2011-11-20T10:29:00.000-08:00

Jimbo fine sands a board that's goin to Texas

It's been flat here!! It's ok cause i got some work done.. But now we need waves.REAL waves.. Not small ones, the goods!! The big ones!!! . so lets get after it!! C'mon ocean!!!

Claire disasters the Beschen ramp and I tore a hole in my brand new shorts shooting this photo..

Gavin Beschen

2011-11-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

Gavin is one of my favorite surfers of all time.. I am thrilled to have done an awesome interview with him.
We got some good waves and waiting for some more..
Got some skating in and just a cool guy to be around.. So stoked on all the work this year on the North Shore..
Pray for waves and lets get to the real work!! :) BIG WAVES!!!

Dave Rastovich

2011-11-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

Dave is awesome!!!
He is one of my favorite surfers and people to be around..
I just did an interview for Futures Fins and super stoked on the footage..
Here are some outtake photos from the shoot..
Now we just need some WAVES!!!

Randy Sleigh

2011-11-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

Got to catch up with R. Sleigh the other day.. It was rad and I'm glad I did..
I was stoked to pop off a few portraits as we talked shop, drank beers and just had a blast on his 59th BirthDay..

ride on Sleigh!!!

Hawaii Season

2011-11-16T09:54:00.000-08:00

Life is good in Hawaii...
We just need the big waves to show up..... Nice relaxing day shooting yesturday. working on photos now..
Layday today.. Work tomorrow..

Pray for waves..

North Shore Skate Park

2011-11-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Been lurking on the North Shore skate park after surfing. It is fun. Billy took a good slam the other day!! gnarly!!!

Things are heating up over here... so stoked.. Gonna go flat for a week but hope to get more after !!! Pray for waves..

North Shore Winters

2011-11-14T10:16:00.000-08:00

YEP!!!
A few days of waves.. a few down days with out waves... This place is better with a plethora of waves....
Time to go run the beach.... dang it.. we need more waves...

Paula Gold

2011-11-13T10:09:00.000-08:00

Last month I was blessed to have an art show at the Felder Gallery in Port Aransas.
The next day Wade Koniakowsky and Paula Gold had a painting demo all day at the gallery.

I had met Paula thursday an she is a really great person and really nailed painting the Texas Gulf sunrises.... WE had great discussions and chattting it up all weekend about fishing and hunting and painting. SHe was generous enough to share some great techniques she was working on.. Her Husband was awesome to chat with as well.. They seemed truly happy....

Unfortunately i got word that Paula passed away the other night.... So terribly sorry to hear. So blessed to have met her and enjoy our time together... You just never know.. I know she is up there painting pieces for the man upstairs cause her work is that good..
Thanks Paula... You will be missed..

Friends

2011-11-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Friends!!! Thats what these two men are... Soo stoked they manned up and helped out when i needed it most.. Moving day from my last lame ass roomates.. I'm in Hawaii and my stuff was in San Clemente so you can see the bad situation I was in..
SO these heavy hitters showed up with my amazing sister and brother in law and handled it!

stoked!! thanks Ian and Seth, Alora and the gang... much appreciated

I was out shooting yesturday.. Here is Kalani David lein air... DAMN!!!!!!!!!! just DAMN!!!

Jimbo and I make Jumbalaya for dinner..

STOKED!!! Pray for more waves!!

Custom Art for Sale

2011-11-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

I had an art show after the Dinah Bowman show.. IT went well with tons of friends, great art and all my stuff sold..
stoked..

Feel free to hit me up with custom work.
SOLD..

Conner Coffin

2011-11-10T08:48:00.000-08:00

Conner Coffin rips... Conner as I have said before is a great young man. He is nice, well spoken and gets after it!!! I like his surfing and he has incorporated more airs in his bags of tricks.. I like working with him and he takes his surfing very serious.
I wish i has turns like these:

round house rampage!!

More to come this week from the North Shore. Pray for more waves and sun!!

Sioux Falls

2011-11-09T11:45:00.000-08:00

My father took me pheasant hunting in South Dakota last month.
I am very grateful for this.

We went with my new inlaws from my sisters marriage.
stoked to have gotten to hang out with them more and had a blast..
Jerry shoots better with one arm then all of us with both.

Sioux Falls was cool to check out with tons of ducks and geese.

enjoy nature...

Josh Kerr

2011-11-08T09:35:00.000-08:00

I got a chance to meet up with Josh Kerr for an interview recently while the Trestles contest was goin down.
Josh is one of my favorite surfers...
enjoy this!!
Link: Josh Kerr Video

Meeting the locals in the yard in a nice work day.

A relaxing ride with Jimbo to the Sugarmill factory to meet up with Dick Brewer. Stoked

Hawaii Season

2011-11-07T07:12:00.001-08:00

Hawaii Season has started and shooting is fun!!
Its kinda really scary as photographers meet up on the beach after a year of working alone and chat.
We get a chance to chat about life, work and state of the economy.. I am fearful as many of the great legends and hellmen that I know are concerned.. that makes me even more wary of the future and what the industry holds for the photographers that give it such a platform to stand on..

Its great to meet up with other photographers as our tribe is fun, quirky, a list of charachters and many a good times and laughs. We all share the drive and need to create and document history. We love our jobs, our lives and our work. Lets hope we can build an industry that suports what we do and thrive doing the best work we can...

Fun day talking shop with Vince Street and Vince Cavataio....

Catchin Up in Hawaii

2011-11-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

THis was an old blog entry but felt it should be published from our latest skate excursion up to Santa Barbara

Rollin the dice doesnt always pay off.. thats why its a gamble..

I went against my intutions and thought it would be best to roll
It payed off a little bit... im stoked i went. But not what i wanted for sure.. just felt like i was spinning my wheels chasing the dragon.. hahah
I got some good photos.. Im stoked on a few shots for sure..

Got to hang out with Milby up off DP in IV... hahaha Long time since i saw that place... wow it hasnt changed. hahaha..

good to see all the GOOD graffiti throught out the city. there is alot of bad tags, but some good pieces fro sure.. Cool stuff out in Moorpark.

Had to get outta the van and get home to help my frined out.. I like the train.. I should take it more..
rincon

Bread Bowl Will Crum Revision

2011-11-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

Revised this Will Crum at the Bread Bowl for the last art showing and thought it would be cool to blast it..
Enjoy...

Waiting on some waves.. Sunset was small and fun today.. Morgan didn't make it through his heat but it was a valient effort non the less. It was great being out in the water with him caddying his board and really just came down to judges scoring a little funny and lack of another good wave.. Thats competitive surfing for ya for sure..
praying for more waves.

Piece of Mind with Will Crum 2

2011-11-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

Intro from Piece of Mind artshow..
Music by WIll Crum...

Hustling over here in Hawaii... It will all become clear to the viewers here shortly of what I have been up to..
thanks..

Piece of Mind with Will Crum

2011-11-03T09:06:00.001-07:00

If ya missed the last art show here is a glimpse of what you missed.. I suggest you NOT miss the next one I do...

WIll Crum Guerilla Rockstar

2011-11-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

WIll Crum is on a 365 day guerilla rock n roll tour... he is half way done..
things are good and here is some footage from the last artshow we did in Corpus and them rocking out.. enjoy..

Photography Questions

2011-11-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a letter that was sent to me from an aspiring young artist from my home town. I wanted to share my responses with everyone one on the blog as I think that is a huge part of being successful. Passing of the torch to others so that they may better themselves and give the world their art. . Art Brewer the legend to me and was kind enough to always lend an ear and help out when he could. When I was first starting out as a photographer he and other shooters like Tom Servais and Jeff Divine would answer questions I had and it was always great to chat them up about their travels. Many a stories are just told of the athletes we document but I feel it is our duty to help the youth and aspiring artists as without us the athletes wouldn't be documented as they should. WIthout the admiration of successful shooters and support from others, you might as well get a job in a cubicle now before committing to the life journey of shooting and art you are about to partake in.

Question:
Hi, I'm Lexi from Corpus Christi. I was looking at all your work and it's really awesome! I'm interested in being a photographer and an artist, and I was wondering how you got started.

Answer:
Aloha Lexi!!
Thank you so much for you letter of inquiry and I appreciate you writing me. I apologize it took so long to get back to you but I have been extremely busy with traveling and the past month of art shows and shooting gigs. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for the kind words about my work and hopefully I can answer a few of your questions to help you with your choice to become a professional artist and photographer.

To sum it up, I got started in photography from an ex girlfriend of mine who's father was a photographer. At the time I was painting and drawing a lot and loved it. I had always drawn, sketched and and felt the need to create but it wasn't until Junior College that I figured out I needed to do something that will support me in the future. (Gulp!) So on a surf trip to Mexico, I used my girlfriends camera and captured a few of the bigger days of a swell that we had been getting as well as a few portraits and things around the town and the places we visited.
Upon returning to the States, I realized that I could take photos of the places I liked and then paint them later when I had time. I had captured a few photos that really turned me on to getting that "moment" and thought this would be perfect. LIttle did I know I would jump full bore into photography at Del Mar College under Mrs. Flowers close watch. Mrs. Flowers allowed me to push the boundaries with art and photography as well as letting me print til my hearts delight in the lab. This was huge deal for me and I was wrapping my brain around the foundation of shooting, processing and developing.
Two years into Junior College I knew I needed to ramp up the work and find a career but nothing was really speaking to me. I was good at art but NOT as good as many others. I was good at shooting but still felt very disheartened when critic day came around and my projects fell short of what I wanted them to look like and the students around me. Fast forward and I was terrified about the future, and one day while talking to an old surfer friend, Brad and Jerry Steph, who were amazing artists and even better friends, they turned me on to Brooks Institute as Brad's old roomate went there when they were in Santa Barbara...
I rolled the dice, got accepted and packed my gear to head out west to get my schooling started by the grace of my parents help and support and a lot of hard work. At college I still felt lost, behind the others and not as technically savvy as everyone around me. I made sure never to give up and continue to push the envelope despite what others and teachers thought. Later on I found that many of my teachers were pushing me to become stronger despite the bad grades and lack of reaction to my immature craft. For this I am extremely greatful to Bill Robbins, Paul Meyer and those who were around me at the time as well as my always trusty model and best friend Mike Black. Mike and others around me went above and beyond the call of duty when asked to do strange and unusual things on film for the sake of my art and creative vision. Thank Ya'll.

Question:
I surf, and I've always thought it would be awesome to be a surfing photographer because it's something that I enjoy doing. Is it hard?

Answer:
Being a surf photographer might be one of the last things you want to do if you crave surfing as much as I do. There are days that it's terribly hard to work as the waves are perfect and days things aren't coming together as you would like them to. But there are days that the work is done, locals invite you to share waves and barrels of your life are had. It is a very tuff thing to do sometimes and you must have a good and strong work ethic.. Being a surf shooter can be dangerous, tedious, and downright frustrating at times. I believe that it is our job to document history and the people making it happen at that time. So when the waves are cracking and the talent is on fire, there is nothing more rewarding than capturing that moment despite the food poisoning, the long flights, lost luggage or everything else that comes up to deter one from getting or documenting the "best session of your life!"

Question:
I paint as well and I've been wanting to paint a surfboard. My dream is to pretty much do what you're doing right now, or something similar. I know you are probably really busy, but I was wondering if you could give me any tips on how to get started or just point me in the right direction. Since you're familiar with Corpus Christi, I thought maybe you could help me out since you know what all Corpus has to offer. I would really appreciate it!
Thanks,
Lexi

Answer:
I know that sometimes my life seems like it is ideal and that it's play all the time. But like I mentioned prior, to become successful you must have a good work ethic, not take "no" for an answer and pick yourself up and start again every time you fail and learn from that to better your work. Surfboards are expensive and most shapers need to see your work and style and approach before allowing you to help them with "paid" work. Apprenticeships in art and photography would be a great start as it always helps you learn a different approach to how someone else tackles a problem.
My suggestions would be to ask your friends to paint their boards or offer to help out around the local surf shop like MDC out in Flour Bluff. Mike Doyle customs and other local shapers like my mentor Jason Comstock of Tribe surfboards helped me get started. Seeing their technique and approach before even getting your hands dirty is a great way to build up your "tool belt" of your own. You will use these "tools" for the rest of your life in your craft. Additionally, apprenticeships and assistant work allows your creative side to build up and release later when you actually have time for your personal work. My old professors couldn't stress it enough in school; assist, assist and assist! Find photographers, painters and shapers you admire and do exactly what you have done with me, ask them for help, offer to sweep the shop, take out the trash, learn humility and do what ever you can to help take stress off of their lives. This will not go unnoticed.

So, with that being said, I hope I shed a little light on your questions and how you want to move forward to obtain your goal as a professional surf photographer and/ or artist. Good luck, thank you for your inquiry and don't take "no" for an answer ever! Feel free to hit me up with any other questions, comments or concerns. The torch is in your hands now, run with it and let the flame shine brightly!!!!

Aloha!
-Jon Steele

Frankie Hill

2011-10-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

Frankie Hill...
Frankie is the man...
Frankie and I were very good friends when I was living in Santa Barbara.
Many a stories and many a good times with him....
We got to hang out for a bit last month.
Frank signed a board for me and I was THRILLED!!!
It was great to see my old friend.... Buy his boards....

Work

2011-10-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a shot of Jorge working the other day in the studio... It was great to work with him again and he throws work my way when he can..
Got to meet and hang out with Cindy Whitehead on the set.. She is an old pro skater and you should google her.. Great gal and has grinder more coping than most men.. Great to talk to her about shooting with Warren Bolster and tons of other great shooters..

OK.. back into the feild we go.. Update with more pheasant photos soon.. :)