Art & Design of Kelli Murray

Hello, I”m back!  This week has been a much needed break for Sam and I.  I can’t remember the last time I have been away from my computer more than I have this week!  It’s felt pretty good.  I don’t even realize how much I rely on my computer until I purposefully try and stay away from it.  It’s crazy what a digital world we live in now, isn’t it?  As great as that is in some senses,  it does have a way of making life increasingly impersonal.  Anyway, my goal for this week was to get away from that.  And what better time than Christmas to focus on relationships and family?   Sam and I both have been off work this entire week, enjoying the super warm December weather and spending lots of time with our little lady.  Despite the hot weather, I just had to get some use out of the red pom hat I bought for Rylee a few months back.  I die over that thing on her.  Our Christmas was great.  A little different feeling this year because we did not have extended family in town like we usually do.  But it was small and intimate….and ALL about Rylee.  Ha!  She got more presents than all of us combined.  I put together this little video of Rylee’s first Christmas and the few days surrounding it….all with my very limited knowledge in imovie. I certainly don’t pride myself on my video skills, seeing as I have only made 2 now.  Really, it’s all for memories sake.  Hopefully Rylee can watch this one day and smile. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! xo.

Christmas 2011 from Kelli Larson on Vimeo.

Have you heard of DARK DARK DARK?  Well, you should. The Minneapolis-based five piece band has quickly become a regular on my daily music rotation.

Sadly, I was not able to attend the intimate show they put on at the Habitat House in December….but I wanted to at least share the footage.  Perhaps you recognize the art in the background? Yes, still hanging in the house was my installation for my solo art show “Dreamer”.  What a lovely band to have play alongside my work.

Check out their new LP Wild Go on itunes. So good.

Dark Dark Dark ? Daydreaming from Brandon Tauszik on Vimeo.

PANELS RECAP from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

On September 18th JEDIDIAH teamed up with WE LOVE CREATIVITY and DJ Here to host a live art event to benefit Invisible Children. It went down at the Ivy Hotel in downtown San Diego. We raised over $1,300 for Invisible Children through the sale of panels taken directly from the wall, donations, and merchandise.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the “live” installation (I was away in Mexico soaking up the sun with my girlfriends celebrating one of my best friends bachelorette party…i know, what a bummer. Ha!) BUT I was able to throw down a character on one of the panels the night before I went away on my mini vaca. See if you can spot her! (clue: It is by far the girliest portion of the mural!)

Artists Include:
Monstrinho, Kelli Murray, Tocayo, Nick McPherson, Eric Wixon, Neko, Brooks Sterling, Sam Larson, and Skye Walker.

All of us at Jedidiah have been big fans of SURFING THE NATIONS for quite some time now.  Surfing the Nations is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to humanitarian action, locally and internationally. Surfing the Nations is dedicated to preventing substance abuse in Hawaii, and also sends groups of volunteer surfers to developing countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, China, Egypt, and Israel in order to promote the sport of surfing as a healthy alternative for youth.

Surfing the Nations believes that surfers are an untapped resource to serve our local and outer island communities. Their message is to influence the upcoming generation of surfers to “give back” by serving and meeting the needs of local communities.

Just a few weeks ago they held the 4th Annual Freedom Surf Contest.  This is an annual surf contest sponsored by Jedidiah in Queens, Waikiki, held mother’s day weekend. It is a two-day event, promoting “A Drug Free Hawaii”. In having this contest Surfing The Nations goal is to raise awareness of substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation issues in order to reverse the devastating affect that drug and alcohol abuse is having on the people of Hawaii.  Every year I have had the opportunity to design the contest t-shirt and (this year) poster for them. Surfing the Nations is an inspiration to me and a motivation to get out into my own community and give back. We all have something to offer.  See the video below to get a glimpse of the event!

Freedom Surf Contest- A drug Free Hawaii from Surfing The Nations on Vimeo.

Surfing the Nations has done a lot of work in Bangladesh over the years.  Gum for my boat is an alluring documentary that touches on the redemptive power of surfing and the work that Surfing the Nations is doing in Bangladesh. This short feature tells the story of how a group of underprivileged kids are making a difference in their community, and how the surf club they started is the catalyst for this change. This film was produced by the incredibly talented Russell Brownley and stars our very own Kahana Kalama

Gum For My Boat: Surfing In Bangladesh Trailer from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

For more information and ways you can help visit SURFINGTHENATIONS.COM

Right now I am L O V I N G OLIVER PEOPLES.   Early last year I splurged on my first pair: ZOOEY in brown- created in collaboration with Hollywood starlet Zooey Deschanel, whom I ADORE!  Ever since I have been eyeing their optical frames.  They have that retro styled “smart” feel about them….and who doesn’t want to feel smarter!?

I just got a discount card in the mail for $100 off a new pair! My lucky day! I think I just might take advantage!  What do you think?

….the SHELDRAKE / the  DANNIE / or the BARRIE !!??

Oliver Peoples’ 2010 corky Campaign film ‘Les enfants sennuient le dimanche (The children are bored on Sundays), directed by Autumn De Wilde, featuring Elijah Wood and Shirley Manson (from Garbage). Soundtrack ‘Just You and Me’ by Zee Avi.