My advance copy of Surf Shacks Vol.3 finally arrived last week. Wowie — I cannot believe this passion project is now a trilogy! With everything going on in the world right now, it can sometimes feel superficial to celebrate another product completed. But it also feels so good to have something simple like a book to slow down, hold, sit with, and enjoy. I am very grateful to see this “work” I’ve dedicated so much time to make its way into the world.
After Vol.2, it took me a while to find the motivation to keep going with this project. But inspiration has a way of sneaking back in. Slowly, the desire to meet new people, explore new places, and tell new stories returned. And with it came a reminder of why I started this series in the first place. So here we are—Volume 3. New faces, new places, same heart. These are creative surfers who inspire me not just because of how they ride waves, but because of what they build, grow, shape, write, and care about when they’re back on land.
Much love and gratitude to all who have contributed to this project over the years. To all who have inspired me through authentically living their lives, holding their own, staying true to themselves, sharing their gifts with love, paving the way for others to follow, and making themselves worthy of imitation. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my own personal journey and carried me through hard times. I hope to serve you and others in kind someday. The generosity of the human spirit never ceases to amaze me. Thank you, SURFING 🌊🌊🌊, for the endless teachings that translate to all aspects of life.
My hope is that somewhere in the pages of this book you feel an invitation to follow what makes you feel most alive, to shape your own version of home, and to build a life that is entirely, unapologetically your own.
Thank you, universe !!!
- Matt Titone
You can now order all 3 #SurfShacks books via Gestalten.com — the official release date for Vol.3 is 5/26
If you’re interested in wholesale, please contact [email protected]
✌️
20 years ago, I drove from NYC to Mammoth and spent a week on the mountain solo before moving to the coast. What was supposed to be a year living in California turned into twenty. Time she flies. This week I spent a couple days in Mammoth riding solo again. A lot has changed in my life since 2005/6, but the mountain remains the same.
🐍—>🐎
Super bummed to hear the powers-that-be decided to demo the DIY skatepark in Ventura today. I am mostly just sad for my kids. That special place brought a new side out of them: it sparked their creativity, it inspired them to paint on stuff, to build stuff, to imagine new tricks and possibilities based on structures they had the freedom to move and play with. It gave them courage to come out of their shells more, it helped them overcome fears — not just of gnarly / gritty skate features, but of some gnarly / gritty people too!! The DIY was a gathering place for my kids’ skate friend group, a buncha lil skate Goonies who used that place as their playground to help push each other while having so much fun. Just getting there was always an adventure for them, it felt like going to a secret lair or a pirate ship. I hope it at least planted some core memories from their good times over the last year or so, and maybe they’ll be inspired to build something similar themselves one day… So much gratitude for all the dedicated folks who poured so much time, energy, blood, sweat, tears — and money into building something just purely for the love of skateboarding. We all knew this day might come, but I honestly never thought it actually would. I wish we had some warning so we could have just had one more group skate there with all the kiddos!!!..
Indo 🤙
Terima kasih @revolution1996 for organizing the adventure, @seniman_detik for the photos, @kyled68 + @mentawaidaze crew for putting us on the gems, Fireman Ed for stitching me up proper on the boat, brother @samtitone for making the epic journey with me, I love you. (and @outerknown for the best trunks ever — wore em for 2 weeks straight, day and night — no rashes!!)
Stoked to see this article I wrote and shot on my good friend @jimolarte for @surfersjournal in the latest issue ☀️
Jim is one of my favorite artists + all around human beings. He’s been a creative inspiration to me for many years. We can all learn a thing or two from how Jim lives his life and how he sees the world. Over the years I have been honored to feature him in one of my “Surf Shacks” books and in an exhibit at @indoek gallery — and hopefully in a documentary we’ve been working on and off on for a long time now too… Jim is truly a treasure and I feel very grateful to have him in my life.
Thank you Jim for entrusting me to tell your story. Thanks TSJ for the opportunity to share it.
Exhibit 011 at @indoek — “Between Summers” is on view through 11/24. I have personally been so inspired by @baileyelderberry and @cheryl_humphreys art for many years. Each of their design work alone is superb, they are quite simply, masters of shape and color. I am in awe of how they’ve both managed to establish their own unique individual styles, balance design work and careers in the arts while also starting families at a young age. Some folks are just more tuned into the source than others and these two artists are prime examples of that.
I’ve expressed this sentiment so many times on this lil hive mind soapbox, but I’ll say it again: I am so grateful and honored to have artists like Bailey and Cheryl display their incredible work at Indoek gallery. AND to have other friends like @kassiasurf and @exotic__gardens compliment the vibe with their music and performances in this space — it’s the shit that keeps me going. Walking in every day and soaking in the colors, getting lost in the textures and meditative shapes is a beautiful daily ritual, you can truly feel the energy when you walk in. I feel very fortunate to have that energy on loan in our space and to have the opportunity to share it with others. Please take advantage of that opportunity and come check out the show before it comes down in a couple weeks! Email [email protected] for all art buying inquiries from afar. Treat yoself
Indoek
83 S. Palm St. B-1
Ventura, CA 93001
Th.—Sun. 12–5pm
(Or by appointment otherwise)
Thanks universe and everyone for your ongoing support of this gallery venture!
PS. Our neighbors @chapter11.tv are opening this weekend! We’re so stoked to share our building with such rad humans doing cool shit. Saturday evening should be a banger — Take a breather from the chaos next door and pop into the gallery, we’ll be open!!
✌️
