"We're in the spirit world now!"

I love collaborating with fellow artist. The other day I approached Hillary Cantu to do some paintings for Squares. She does some really cool stuff. I wanted to do portraits of Kachina Dolls (hand made dolls by a western Native American's tribe).
But after realizing I was asking way too much for her to do two paintings in one night, I was convinced to do some painting myself. About three hours later this is what we came up with.
Thanks Hillary!

Weekend Surf Board Swap Meet

Squares Poncho Sale: New styles and tasty college beverages for friends. Come and enter the spirit world this Sunday, have a drink, listen to some tunes, check out some awesome surfboards.

Sunday September 13 11am-3pm

Shelter Surf Shop
2148 E 4th St
Long Beach, CA

Shelter. It is official we are in a store!

If I would have to choose any store in the world to be in, it would be this one. Not only is Shelter located on one of my favorites streets in Long Beach (4th st) it also provides a "realness" that can only come from passionate people willing to share their love for art, fashion, and surfing. Shelter carries the best surf boards that take consideration in: style, function, performance, environment and the economy*. These boards are made for the sole purpose to make you happy on waves. Shelter also carries great clothing(squares), jewelery, and accessories that are carefully selected by Kim. Once a month they participate in the art walk with a surf movie premiere.
You will probably find me at one of these events there giving a couple dollars to dink off the pony keg for the whole night. I will let you know when the next event is.


*Let me take a minute to explain why I think Shelter is considering the economy. Shelter carries boards that are hand made by surfers/shapers that have dedicated their lives into innovating and improving surfboard designs. So what happens when a shaper, like Al Merrick, gets all his boards computer cut with cheap labor overseas? It will put these small operations out of business and ultimately kill the spirit of surfing. I am no economist and I do have too strong of an opinion on foreign labor. But in this case I will not support these boards because of my understanding of what should go into a surfboard.

Daisy's new Paint Job

So everyone didn't think Daisy wouldn't make it out of California. And to be completely honest, we didn't know how far she would make it, so everyone pack light just in case we had to thumb it home. But Daisy has past all expectations.

Tender Loving Empire

Tender Loving Empire is an art/music driven boutique located somewhere in downtown Portland. It seems like all major cites are going through some form of gentrification in old ghetto neighborhoods, and it is easy to stand by and criticize the change in a neighbor. But I think little honest shops like Tender Loving Empire will only point this kind change in the right direction. The most recent artist collaboration was the 40 oz art. Each artist designed an empty 40 bottle any way they desired, pretty amazing stuff! (but I do have a soft spot for 40 oz) They also have a huge selection of local music, hand made jewelery and original screen prints. Putting the community first and helping your neighbor is something we fully support. So if you are every in Portland you have to check out this store.
http://tenderlovingempire.com/index.php

Coastology 101

It is day 4 on the trip and everything has been great. We took the 101 all the way up to Portland, Oregon. This was my first time going up the coast this way and I highly recommend you try it some time in your life. The west coast is the most beautiful cost in the world. Here are a couple of shots from the drive.

Squares hits the road

This summer, Paul Strouse and 3 friends will cram into a Lazy Daisy Winnebago and head out on a cross-country expedition inspired by Strouse’s recent dive into fashion design, the Squares Collection. Launched after a trip he took to Colombia, the first look in the Squares Collection is a line of traditional ponchos, featuring a pattern of squares mimicking native textiles from the region. In anticipation of his stateside adventures, Strouse seeks only inspiration. “I am compelled on my journeys by seeing new places and relating with new people,” he says.

Departing from Long Beach, Strouse and Co. will first head north to Seattle, then east to Boston, south to Miami and finally back home again—a trek that is, yes, essentially a square route.

Like a lot of 20-somethings, Strouse says he is not cut out for a life in the office, electing rather to give into his wanderlust and be moved by the intrigue of destinations unknown. He sees himself as an impressionable student of culture: “I have no expectations on my trips, because one might overlook what’s directly in front of you,” he says.

Strouse hopes that his experiences and fashions will motivate others to search for a meaning to life outside of our traditional comforts. “Being human is about relating and creating,” he says, “and we have a lot more room to do both.” // KATE JONES