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

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.

Jedidiah Spring 2010 from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

Kelli and Sam in Super Greight from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

Chez Charlie from Stockholm Ssaw on Vimeo.

These images are breathtaking.  I want to live in this world…..and I want turquoise lipstick.

Styled by Sahara Widoff of LUNDLUND agency in Stockholm Sweden.

Photographed by Thomas Klementsson for swedish magazine Stockholm SSAW s/s 10.

I have always loved the old Super 8 style film, and lucky for me, Russell had just the right stuff to make it happen.  He took us out a few evenings after work and shot us at the beach and riding bikes around our neighborhood.  I handed off all the old DVD’s and pictures I had gathered to Russell, and he ran with it from there.  When I saw the video he had made for us for the first time, I nearly started crying.  It is exactly what I was hoping for.

Kelli and Sam. from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

Hold tight….it may take a minute to load.

Kelli + Sam – Same Day Edit/Wedding Trailer from Matthew Forrey on Vimeo.

This post is for the laaaaadies! If you are anything like me, a little obsessed with fashion but not quite willing to throw down the big bucks on those gotta have pieces….you’ll love this new website, Suddenly Darling.  It is full of fashion trends and tips for girls- cute outfit ideas, celeb styles, fashion boards, hair tips, interviews, and even their own store.

I sat down with Katelyn and Sara of Suddenly Darling last week for a quick interview on my work, both in art and fashion. check out the clip below or CLICK HERE.

Here is a snapshot of some of the DARLING pieces you can find on the site!

Thanks to the amazing work of videographer Russell Brownley, Jedidiah has a new branding video up on the homepage of our website. Check it out. (may take a minute to load)

Jedidiah Clothing: Who We Are from Jedidiah Clothing on Vimeo.

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La Chureca Exhibit – A photographic journey through the trash dump of Managua,Nicaragua presented by Common Grounds in Waco, Texas.

On April 26th i took part in an event in Waco Texas called the “La Chureca Exhibit”. La Chureca is a town in the heart of Managua, Nicaragua. The city trash dump has become the home of hundreds of people who depend on the garbage for their livelihood, their food, and their shelter. In March, I took a trip to the dump with a non-profit organization called Love Light and Melody who is dedicated to battling the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects of extreme poverty here. This is where I met Jill Nashburn, owner of Common Grounds : a thriving coffee shop and music venue in Waco, Texas. In attempts to raise awareness about the trash dump communities and fight social injustice…she gathered together artists, musicians, and photographers from all over to join forces for an event she called “La Chureca Exhibit”.

Austin Blasingame (a fellow artist and friend from Florida whom i also met in Nicaragua) met up with me in Texas to paint a large scale mural for the event. We wanted the mural to focus on community and bringing people together; sharing love and breathing life into the hearts of others. Love, acceptance, and hope is what gives us wings and helps us fly.

“HOME” is where your heart is.