A Papa for Victory!

Papa On The War Path.

Many of you are familiar with WARPATH Leathers, it seems to be one of those blogs that appears in just about everybodys watch list. Matt of Warpath makes great belts and the Papa decided to extend his patronage and have a custom belt done. Unlike the Japanese versions where perfection is key, Matt's style in leather is rugged, raw and tough and reminds me of campaign made items turned out by resourceful Sea Bees, Sailors and Marines during the Pacific War. In honour of this tradition the Papa set his new belt against a battered old pair of 5th Marine Division HBT's.
Check Matt out at;
Warpathleathergoods.blogspot.com

Sailors, Old Salts and Celestial Seafarers.

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to find myself in the South Beaches of Los Angeles where I stumbled on the Laguna Beach Art Museum on the Pacific Coast Highway. The Museum was hosting a particularly interesting exhibition, the 'Eye Tattoo America',curated by none other than Ed Hardy himself(fortunately pre-Christian Audigier). This exhibition was a celebration of the American Tattoo as folk art and so in validating this angle there was an amazing assemblage of traditional ink flashes and vintage photographs from the genres masters including Sailor Jerry but it also explored how tattooing had influenced art, both fine and low-brow and so there was a roll call of talented painters, sculptors and wood carvers.
I had originally conceived this piece as a tangent line of how and why alternate contemporary surfers have adopted a mantle akin to their seafaring brethren, sailors, seamen and the like as I believed this link would reveal the origins of the beards and anchor tattoos that are now au de rigour out in the lineup these days. The logic to me was obvious; Nautical themed art show amidst a prominent surfing community, it wouldn't take long for the forward thinking kids to establish their own thread.
However while exploring the artists that were featured in this show, I came across the website of George Klauba. George was inspired by his uncle Roman Rokuizo, a WWII sailor who survived a Kamakazi which attacked and sunk his ship the Destroyer USS Reed in the shark infested waters of the Philippine Sea in 1944. Following his uncles footsteps George joined the Navy in 1956 and served until his discharge where he began a career as a commercial artist in Chicago. Disillusioned he began to explore the fine arts and used his seafaring experience as a major source of inspiration for his work. His portfolio can be viewed at www.georgeklauba.com. Of note is his WWII series as well as Moby Dick and his Celestial Voyages.
I vaguely remember seeing some of his works at the exhibition but as this was back in about 1995 everything seemed a little hazy now. Upon this rediscovery I decided to skip the surfing analogy and just post my favourite works of George Klauba for you to enjoy.

Stylehound Matt Chojnaki.

Matt Chojnaki from Sydney is a regular viewer of the Papa's blog and as this photo attests he's in possession of one very styling bottom turn!

Papa Nui Squadron F-80's

The Papa loves the dawn of the jet age, especially the Lockheed F-80, it's sleek and yet naive design appeals to my pre-sonic boom era sensibilities. Imagine my surprise when I found the Papa Nui Squadron lined up and ready to defend civilization from the commie threat in the Red East.

Dazzling style.

I know this picture has been reposted numerous times but when I talk about the nature of inspiration, this is exactly what I mean. As a 'creative' type I am constantly trying to apply my point of view to everything I do. In this case the fabulous concept of vintage naval dazzle camouflage has been adapted to a contemporary canoe. Now what do you think the Papa could do with this idea and a surfboard?

Papa Nui; Xmas day on the coast.

This Xmas morning it rained flatout, a true tropical deluge, what to do? Go to the beach of course and wear my USN rain parka.
Merry Xmas to you all!!!

Nisei greaser!

Pre-dating Rockabilly by about 13 years, This greased up Nisei teenager plays his guitar in the barracks at Manzanaar Relocation camp circa 1942.

Why Alex Knost is King.

In an era of mechanical professional surfing its refreshing to know that there are individuals out there who understand that style is everything. In this study Alex Knost channels the true essence of surfing meets skateboarding. For those of you that remember this photo is eerily reminiscent of those from Skateboarder Magazine circa 1975.

Black Cats and French Bulldogs.