On January 30, 2009, legendary professional skateboarder and noted accordion-wielding front man for Flogging Molly, Matt Hensley, hosted an artshow titled Stencils Aren’t Art by San Jose’s finest Jason Adams. The show was also sponsored by Black Label Skateboards, Dekline Footwear and Pura Casta Tequila. Ceaser, the owner of Pura Casta, who also happens to farm the agave in Mexico, was on hand along with his right hand man, Ryan Quintana, to give out samples of Pura Casta to everyone present. A who’s who of skateboard industry friends and family showed up to support Jason as he continues to break into the art world and to snatch up some of his new works on wood and paper. The show will be up at Hensley’s Flying Elephant Pub & Grill for several weeks.  There are only a few pieces left for purchase, so hurry on down and stick a red dot next to your favorite piece because the work is priced to sell and going fast. The following morning Matt hosted The Blokes from noon to 3. Check out photos and the video of Matt jamming with The Blokes while patrons take turns dancing to the awesome Irish music.

10 limited edition decks were made by Black Label for Stencils Aren’t Art.

Jason and Matt setting up the show.

Jason’s works on wood.

Works on paper, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Joe Strummer and Hank Williams. The paper itself was also made by Jason.

Close up of Hank Williams.

The Master of Disaster, Duane Peters.

Hank Williams and Ziggy Stardust.

John Lucero and Jason Adams.

Ryan Quintana and Ceaser of Pura Casta Tequila.

Price and Sean Sheffey.

Heavy Metal Chuck (HMC), Korinne, Patrick Nagy, Jen and Sandee.

Mike O’Meally and Jake Brown.

Price and Pat Duffy.

Matt Hensley and Jason Adams.

The following morning on January 31, 2009 Matt jammed out with The Blokes while his customers ate brunch and danced along. Watch The Video.

Tonight our friends Case Simmons and Andrew Burke came over to install an artwork that Price acquired during her visit to Miami for Art Basel. Check out Kim Light’s Lightbox to see more of their astonishing collage work.

Simmons on the level, Burke eyeballing.

My photo of this collage sucks, you’ll just have to come over to see it in person or get your own at Kim Light. This series comes in additions of 5 or 6.

Between 1985 and 1995 Jim Goldberg documented the lives of street kids living in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Within the pages of Raised by Wolves you can hear the disenfranchised voices of young people willing to take responsibility for lifestyles often chosen by themselves, much of the time unbeknown to them as a result of difficult circumstances and many times because of abuse, physical, emotional, or otherwise. Does this mean that the children in the book weren’t aware of their issues that led them onto the streets? Not at all, however as they express in the book, they would have rather maintained a sense of dignity, which comes with taking responsibility for their plight as opposed to passing the buck or blaming others. Raised by Wolves by Jim Goldberg has been highly influential in the art world as can be seen in the work of Ed Templeton and others and was most recently used as inspiration for Nike SB’s current advertising campaign. The stark contrast being that the life of most professional skateboarders, at least in this day and age inhabit a pole quite opposite the one inhabited by the kids that fill the pages of Jim Goldberg’s book.

Nike SB Justin Brock Ad

Nike SB Paul Rodriguez and Brian Anderson Ads

I live right by The Berrics, where skateboarding is hot. I never skate there. Today I did. Manny Santiago, Luis Tolentino, Felix, Reda, Andrew Pott, Sierra Fellers and others heated up the sesh. I posted a frontside rock up on the bowled corner.

photo Reda

coolin out with Wednesdays With Reda.

Bart coolin in The Berrics Lounge

There must be some fans of motorcycle racing over at Volcom, cause each year their Stone logo continues to increase it’s presence on racers. Could there be racing gear in their future plans as a brand? Time will tell.

Monster Energy Kawasaki’s, Ryan Villopoto snakes his first podium of his rookie supercross season in the big bike class.

Amateur sensation and Rockstar, Makita, Suzuki factory pilot Nico Izzi podiums at the opener of the east coast supercross lites class.

photos Simon Cudby

Goose getting extreme.

Lucky throwing down a mean Smith Grind.

Goose Backside Smith Grind.