the
LEFT HANDED BASTARDS
LEFT HANDED BASTARD | ˈleft ˈhænd d ˈbæst rd | 1. Someone who is driven through their desire to perfect their craft 2. Unique individuals who don’t follow the straight and narrow path 3. Usually right brained, creative, eccentric 4. Abnormal, extraordinary, inspiring
Jon KOOLEY 4
We coined the term “Left Handed Bastard”
snowboarding. I think as a snowboarder, you
as someone who has a unique or inspired
kind of forget to look forward and really think
life. How would you say you have strayed
about what you want to do after, you just live in
from the unconventional path?
the moment and think its going to last forever. I feel really lucky for the opportunity I got with
I guess the things I’ve chosen to do in life as far
L1, and even more lucky that it’s something I
as making a living have been relatively risky, and
truly enjoy doing.
uncertain. I guess I’ve just always taken a slightly unconventional path.
I would say you have a pretty distinct sense of style, I even heard that you used
You have been a professional snowboarder
to dress your girlfriend. How does your
for at least a decade now – For many that’s
personal style affect your designs?
a dream – getting paid to snowboard, how was that?
Ha Ha! I would say that it affects my designs 100%. I just think about what I would wear,
It was pretty amazing, I feel really lucky to have
what colors I like, and things I think are cool
experienced that. Like anything you do for
but I might not necessarily wear. The women’s
money it does become a job, but I can’t think
stuff is a bit trickier; obviously I can’t say to
of a better one. I got to see so many amazing
myself would I wear this? I guess I mainly go
places that I would most likely have never seen if
off of things that I personally like to see girls
it wasn’t for snowboarding.
in, and get a lot of direction from [the design team] Ming, Allison, and Jen. I feel really lucky
What’s your favorite or most memorable
to work for a brand that’s overall look is pretty
place you have been to and why?
consistent to what I’m into; it makes the whole design process much easier for me.
I would have to say Tokyo, That place is just so amazing! You see the extreme on every end of
What is a typical day for you?
the spectrum; it’s really like no place I’ve been before. When I went I think I was 23 or so for a
Wake up around 7. Make some coffee or get a
shop tour and video premier. They had beer in
coffee, which is a must. Head to the skate park
vending machines, and the craziest airsoft guns.
around 8 or so, skate for a bit, come home and
I just remember getting this Winnie the Pooh
start working. Maybe take my dogs for a hike
costume and a fully automatic airsoft gun, and
around 7 or 8 when it starts to cool off. That’s
just raising hell for a full week straight. I’m sure
a pretty typical day for me, filled with routine
that hotel was happy to see us go…
and habits. I live a pretty quiet life these days.
Many know you as a Jon Kooley the
What are your favorite parts of the day?
snowboarder, but now you have made the transition into clothing design. Why did
That varies from day to day, normally I like the
you make that transition?
morning, having that first cup of coffee and checking my emails. I like to sit outside on the
I always had an interest in it, but I didn’t think
deck, its super relaxing.
it was ever something I would be doing after
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There are lots of photos floating around
I really want a new Harley that is just stock,
the Internet with you and motorcycles.
something I can just take long road trips on
How did you get into it and Are you
comfortably. Plus having a stock bike the cops
building or planning on acquiring any new
wouldn’t really be able to mess with me much.
motorcycles in the near future? If you could do only one thing for the rest It started with my buddy Chris; he got into bikes
of your life – what would it be?
probably 10 or more years ago. He was always cursing around and going on trips, it looked so
I’m not really sure maybe play the guitar. I feel
fun and I just wanted to experience that. I don’t
like that’s something I can do forever.
think I’m going to build a bike ever again...
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instagram.com/JON__KOOLEY
Justin “Chip” KENISTON 8
Justin you snowboard on a professional
really fun! Plus its really good for you, so that’s
level, and work a normal job as well. Is it
always a plus.
difficult to work and film? Where do you work to pay the bills?
What’s a typical day for you?
It gets a little difficult at times, but luckily (blue
I wake up with some coffee, take my dog to the
plate) the diner that I work at is usually really
skate park, cruise around until I find something
mellow about me taking time off as long as
that will be a good time for the rest of the
there’s a little notice. It sucks though when
day, whether its cruising my moto or bicycle,
trips or opportunities come up and I can’t take
backyard games, hanging out with the boys
advantage of them because of being stuck at
or work on some sort of project…And there’s
work, But that’s life…
always work too.
To me its very inspiring to see someone so
You are a huge dog lover and advocate –
dedicated to snowboarding. How hard is it
everybody who knows you knows your
to come up, and make it as pro these days?
dog Red – what is it about a man and his dog that is so special?
Shit, Coming up is so hard! There are so many amazing snowboarders out there and new faces
I don’t know, she’s awesome to have around all
that are killing it. I wish I actually knew how to
the time. She’s always up for what ever I want
“come up” or “make it as a pro.” I’m just doing
to do so its easy and keeps her happy.
what I can, while I can and well see where that takes me.
We consider a “Left Handed Bastard” someone who lives a unique or inspired
What are some other things you’re into
life. What makes your life unconventional
besides snowboarding?
by societies standards?
Besides snowboarding… Well I’ve always
Well, Straight out of high school I moved out
loved skateboarding, that’s what got me into
to Utah to snowboard. Now I find myself doing
snowboarding. Got into motorcycles a couple
what ever I can to support myself and my dog
years ago, built a bike with my buddy and
while still getting out there every day and doing
have been hooked ever since. This summer I
what I love and having a good time doing it.
also got into some mountain biking, Utah has
You’ve got to have fun and enjoy life, why else
some of the best biking in the country so its
would we be here?
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Do you have any of your own personal
If you could do only one thing for the rest
projects that you are working on?
of your life – what would it be?
No big projects at the moment, but there are
It would be pretty cool to camp for the rest of
always little day-to-day projects, can always find
your life, I love camping and living out of the
something to do or work on. I’d like to think I’m
back of my truck.
pretty good at keeping myself busy
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instagram.com/CHIPSET1896
Keith HAINS 12
How long have you been a tattoo artist
out at the shop all day with them while they got
for? What made you decide that’s what
tattooed , man I was blown away! The shop had
you wanted to do?
some old timers and younger tattooers working there the interaction between artist and clients
I ‘ve been tattooing for around 15 years, in
, shop antics tuff ass images.... Changed my
a shop since 1999. I got a scholarship for art
art style and started researching any kind of
school, went for a year then got kicked out
tattoo imagery I could find! I was just starting
for going to jail during finals week. Did a
high school trying to get a apprenticeship.
mediocre apprenticeship while working a full
Getting told to fuck off or ill teach ya fer
time job doing fiberglass work, then a year
10,000$ seemed impossible. So i started getting
er so of house tattooing up in Casper WY. I
tattooed often and found some one willing to
don’t really count the first while cause it was
teach me It was a lot harder thing to get into
borderline blind leading the blind... Seems to
back then. There wasn’t a shop on every other
be like most apprenticeships theses days. I really
corner Or Internet back then. It’s not that long
felt tattooing was the perfect profession for
ago but the mid nineties it was a different scene
me, still do! Like i was groomed for it growing
from today.
up i was around tattoos. All the men and most of the women in my family had tattoos, hand
You seem so excited every time you’re
pokes, biker and old military stuff. There was
tattooing, how do you keep it fresh after
never really a stigma about tattoos . One of
tattooing for so long?
my earliest memories was my Dad and Uncle Bud coming home late at night loud and drunk
It’s fairly easy to stay excited! Each day is a
with there new peacock cover up tattoos! I was
different subject matter and problem to solve,
probably like 6 haha. My dad always supported
guess I’m am fortunate that I never looked at
my art hooked me up with supplies and saw
tattooing for the money and the scene of it
that i wanted to be a artist of some sort. He
so never felt I had to chase or fit in too much
taught me to believe in and follow my dreams.
with the flavor of the month club... Hahaha
Moving around a lot as a kid I learned quick
also getting to choose who i work around,
you could instantly get in with girls and the
about the interaction with clients and being
badass crowd by drawing them a picture with
a craftsman has been the most important. I
some skull or rose with their name in it and you
fucking love the combo of the two. I’ve burnt
were in! I was that kid hand poking tattoos on
out a couple times in the past, taking a few
my friends in like 6th grade... making mommas
months off to just travel see family and friends
cry!!! Living between parents and moving
to let the stress and mind clear. Some times ya
around i had to start over in a lot of different
just get emotionally full, touching people you
schools. So that always stuck with me and when
absorb alot of energy positive and negative
I found tattooing natural it became a obsession
specially when you hurting them and listening
and career choice. Didn’t want to be a at home
to some pretty gritty life stories and acting
scratcher just tattooing friends, really wanted
as a guide or therapist in a way. But on the
to be in a shop doing conventions and traveling
other hand you hear the best most uplifting
meeting people of the same mind set. When
stories! This path has gave me a amazing cross
I was 15 got to go to Denver with my brother
examination of the human condition, thats why I
who was in a touring punk rock Band called
reckon I love traveling so much. I’m comfortable
One Good Eye, watched them play with Schlep
in about any situation and can have a amazing
Rock ,DFL and Pinhead Circus then got to hang
time with all kinds of people , man 95% of
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people are so kind generous and considerate its
traveling pretty heavily. During those 9 years
when folks get in groups and get pack mentality
in logan i Started sailing a few times a year
going it can get dicey... Then there is always the
with my pops thru Texas,Florida, Louisiana,
true assholes, but they are awesome too cause
and Mexico! That opened my eyes wide and
its a easy trait to spot, at least you know how
made me want to travel more and more, we
to take em... Or just leave em be and they don’t
sailed together for some years and had great
care either way hahaha. I kinda found a great
adventures. It was very hard to leave logan,
appreciation for true assholes the older I get. I
had a great shop best friends and a awesome
digress... Man it’s like Bukowski said find what
clientele! My Dad passed away with no
you love and let it kill ya, that was a true blue
warning and it was a real hard blow to me and
human there!
my family, that Guy was my best friend and father. Through that I was now the owner of a
What took you to from Salt Lake City to
beautiful sail boat and was trying to split time
Texas? Was it hard leaving your shop in
between Utah,Wyoming,Montana and Texas...
Logan, and what are you doing now?
Gave over the shop to Nate and everything else i owned away then moved to Texas to live on the
Well the move from Wyoming to tattoo in
boat and try to do the damn thing... The new
Vegas in 99 was the first jump, was thinking at
goal is to be living and sailing Through Central
that time I wanted to move about every three
America for a couple years, seems that my soul
years and try to work in different shops. So
is yearning to leave the US and be in a different
spent around 3 years in Vegas and picked up
culture all together. Wasn’t running away from
some good lesions about hustle of street shop
my old life,it was time to start a whole new one!
tattooing that was a fun shop! Was burning out on the life Style and pace started to look at slc
Whats a typical day for you?
and met Rich from Big D, started to travel to get my sleeve started and landed the A job with the
A typical day... Haha well that’s a tuff one
original crew there! Some great tattooers and
cause with no schedual or impending dates the
felt tattooing was the main drive not the money
last two years, it’s been wide open! Did some
or scene stuff. Was awesome the first year then
awesome trips gotta go spend some months in
that crew split and did there own shops. Started
Montana on my property just working outdoors
to go up to Logan and Work with Sailor Jim n
and pretty much living off the land, also went
Nate who i worked with in SLC and felt very
to Sweden and Norway for a couple months!
comfortable and a good fit so packed again
Lots of exploring the texas and Louisiana coast
and went to work with him, it was like retiring
walking and Kayaking around finding the
from the scene and getting to concentrate
hidden spots that have been forgotten about.
on tattooing painting outdoors activities and
Those are the places I tend to feel most comfy,
traveling with a crew of three responsible artist
like the places your not supposed to go or ya
there was no micromanagement BS and had
dont really hear about hahaha Fishing,Painting
full reins of my life and time. Few people came
tons, reading, and working on my boat learning
and went but was always a nice tight family
how all the systems work. The first while it was
around there. I took Nate as a apprentice that
those sort of activities. The only restriction is
guy is very driven in all endeavors he takes on
money seems everything costs something! Haha
then Sailor Jim split to do a private studio, me
starting completely over with no clients no shop
and Nate started 1896 in Logan Ut and started
man i haven’t been this broke since I was 18
more top notch guest artist friends out and
years old! Seems I don’t get paid with monetary
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value these days, instead it’s more about sites
mix now storm season is over and the northern
and folks experiences that are priceless! It’s
winds are back in the gulf. That answered both
great tho, like the decisions are made. Living in a
yer questions ther I reckon...
boat ya don’t have room for excess if I get a new pan or a pair of pants I have to throw one out!
We consider a “Left Handed Bastard”
So it’s like take care of what you have and if i do
someone who lives a unique or inspired
buy something it better be quality built to last
life. What makes your life unconventional
and worth the coin. No more disposable culture.
by societies standards?
Now I have came down to Aransas Pass/Port Aransas Tx. and opened a family style small shop
I’m super stoked to be considered a Left Handed
called Brotherwolf Sistermoon with my great
Bastard! After spending some time with all the
friends Josh and Samm, it’s just the three of us,
guys on the team I think each one of us has
Its the perfect laid back vibe. They completely
lived there life and dreams in their own way,
understand my goals and encourage all new
sticking to plan A and not having to step on
plans so its very stress free work environment.
or over anyone to succeed in life’s ambitions.
Man I couldn’t ask to be surrounded by better
No Egos and Letting our heart, mind, passions
humans, we are all on the same page with goals
shine bright, and be the driving force behind
about life tattooing and art styles in general.
goals! Not signing up for the American societal
Now my typical day is wake up around 8am get
norms. I have never really signed up the new
the Spearfishing gear together with Josh read
mentality of chase the money and power then
up on the water turbidity tides temps look at
you will be happy. Instead I’ve found my own
google earth for new areas to possibly hit up.
way to chase happiness and find beauty and
Drive anywhere from 5-20 minutes and hop
some contentment everywhere. I just don’t
in the water to spearfish for 2-3 hours, fillet
want to spend my life and youth making some
the fish, get showered up and go to the shop.
one else comfortable, instead I’ll enjoy each
It makes for a great work out! Plus dinner is
day having full rein on life and what the future
ready for after work! It’s awesome to wake up
brings. Living on the outside of “normal” society
get in the ocean leave the land and freedive
focusing the love and the energy I do have,
into another world, ya feel refreshed and alive
more towards positivity and doing the right
for the day! Get to the shop clean do all the
thing for no other reasons. The time is now!!!
shop chores get drawings together for the day
It comes back ten fold, its a shake of the dice
and hopefully bang out some tattoos work on
some times for sure haha. I plan on spending
paintings laugh listen to great music meet new
the next 5 years traveling and seeking out some
people... Feels good being back in a shop! Wind
truth whatever that may be? Nameste and Fair
down the day,drink a couple beers more laughs
winds to all the people who support and help
talk about future trips n where we will go fishin
out when no one is watching! Thank you guys
next... The last couple months have been great.
the L1 Team and all the left handed bastards
We will start throwing some sail trips in the
out there!!!
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Steven STONE 18
We coined the term “Left Handed Bastard”
becomes a hazy memory from a decade ago.
as someone who has a unique or inspired
Photographs help me remember, which I guess
life. How would you say you have strayed
is kind of their purest purpose. Beyond that, I
from the unconventional path?
love images. I grew up drawing and painting, having no idea that photography was even a
I don’t know that I would’ve called myself one
job... it never crossed my mind to think of where
before this... I just know that since I was a kid,
the photos I’d see came from, I kind of assumed
I’ve kind of been an outsider. I grew up in a
they just “were”, if that makes sense. During my
very religious household and community, and
brief stint in art school, I had to take an intro to
realized pretty quick that the only way to get
photo class, and I realized super quick that this
left alone to do my thing was to disappear
was a whole new world that allowed me to get
and do it, without asking permission... that’s
outside of a studio to tell the same stories I’d
kind of just what I’ve always done. I never saw
been trying to tell from behind an easel. With
much need to fit in with the people around me,
photographs, there’s no way to fake the funk ---
because I never wanted to be like them, anyway.
the only way to get a shot of somebody doing something rad is to go out and shoot somebody
What are your top three passions in life?
doing something rad. Assemble the necessities, hit the road, and do whatever it takes to make
Making things, be they photos or otherwise.
it happen... I like to think of photographers
Motorcycles. People. The order varies by
as being the plumbers of the art world --- it’s
the day.
about as blue-collar as making images can get. It’s all problem solving... how to get a light up
What do you do to pursue them?
there, how to tie knots that’ll fight the wind, how to get 3 generators, wardrobe, and a van-
I give them every ounce I have. I give them my
full of grip to the other side of that river... I kind
money, my sleep, my blood... everything I have.
of get off on all that shit, too. Beats the hell out
There is no rainy-day stash of anything hidden
of sitting around mixing paints.
under a bed... I’ll give whatever I’ve got today and have faith that tomorrow whatever I need
For those who know you, you are obviously
will somehow come through... and it usually
a passionate photographer and you shot
does. My kind-of-hippie-ex-girlfriend used to
our recent L1 Street wear look book /
always say, “do what you need - if you make
Road trip. What have been some of the
room, the universe will provide”... I hate to
challenges for you to stay true to your
admit that she’s right, but she is.
love of photography and make it your livelihood?
Why do you take still photographs of the world and its happenings – why is this so
Man...It’s the livelihood part. It’s so easy to
special and important to you?
get jaded. As I type this, I’m going back and forth with my attorney via text, trying to get
I think a lot of it has to do with my shit memory.
all my ducks in a row so we can issue a cease
I forget everything. I always have. It’s not that
and desist order against a dead-beat client
I’m unintelligent or anything like that... I just get
who hasn’t kept up their end, months after I
so wrapped up in whatever I’m doing that this
delivered. When all the fun part is handled,
moment, it becomes everything to me. And
there’s still the fact that this is a business --- it’s
whatever happened this morning suddenly
still my livelihood. I still have to give the IRS
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a massive chunk, I still have to make sure my
office by 3 or 4. Retouch until I fall outta my
team is paid; I still have to pay rent and medical
chair, usually around 3AM... if the sky is cool,
bills and student loans, just like everyone else.
wander around and look for shots. If not, fall
And I’m a one-man show... I have a team of
asleep listening to metal. A couple times a
regulars that I use on set, but the minute I get
week, break the last part up by hitting the city
home, it’s up to me to retouch everything, to
with good people and puking on something.
handle the bills, to deal with maintenance on my equipment, to return rental gear, to handle
What are your favorite parts of the day?
invoicing, to pitch the next job, to meet with needy clients, and so on and so on... it’s a 24/7
Depends on the day! But I love nights...
gig. It wears on ya’ some days. Somehow in
midnight to 3AM are the best. Whether I’m
the middle of all that, you’re supposed to figure
out or alone... if I’m out, I’m enjoying myself.
out how to have a “normal” life... make time for
And if I’m home, nobody is bothering me and
friends and family and girlfriends and eating.
I can focus 100% on what I’m doing. Which is
But the days that it’s good? I can’t imagine
also enjoying myself. And pretty often I’ll just
doing anything else.
go hop on the bike and blast around looking for something to shoot at night. I love that
Are there certain photographers that
shit. I love people, but I value the fuck outta
inspire you?
my alone time.
So many. Some famous, some that will likely
What is your favorite part about the L1
never publish a photo... some photojournalists,
street wear and the products?
some action guys, some fashion shooters. There are so many amazing photographers
I love shit that fits. You could get away with
out there. But amongst the most influential,
wearing a pillowcase if the fit was right. L1
for me, I’d have to say Todd Hido, Nadav
definitely focused on cutting their goods to
Kander, Helmut Newton, Tim Heatherington,
fit in a way that looked good and felt right...
Adam Wright. Those are pretty solid as my
no ridiculous amount of slack, no sagging
top 5. Honestly, though, I probably pull most
armpits. Ill-fitting clothes are for Jr. high school
of my influence and stoke from music and
heathens... I’m an adult, I’m a professional, and
cinematography.
although I may not fit in like the squares, I still like to present myself as a dude who has his
What is a typical day for you?
shit together. The L1 line fits my style and fits in a way that doesn’t make me feel like a gutter
If I’m on the road, nothing is typical. If I’m
punk dropout.
home, it’s pretty standard: Wake up early, never later than 7:30. Drink some coffee and
When shooting photographs what do you
smoke some cigarettes before I bother with
always have with you, besides a camera?
pants. Gym if I’m feeling ambitious. Post up at the command station in my underwear and
I always need to have cigarettes, beer, good
handle emails, texts, calls and business bullshit
people and a desire to explore. If I’ve got those
until noon-ish. Shower for a minimum of 30
elements, nothing can fail.
minutes or 3 shower beers, whichever comes first. Burn by the shop and waste a minute with motorcycles. Then return back to the home
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Do you have any of your own personal
If you could do only one thing for the rest
projects that you are working on?
of your life – what would it be?
So many, but I never talk about those until
Keep making things. I really don’t care what
they’re done... I’ve got a habit of taking on way
as long as I’m pushing myself to make the next
too many, and then getting called out for the
one better.
ones that never happened. I’d rather just finish the ones that are possible and let those shine.
instagram.com/STEVENSTONE http://STEVENSTONEPHOTO.COM 21
Paul BROWN 22
We coined the term “Left Handed Bastard”
working things out creatively and solving
as someone who has a unique or inspired
problems. Working at home is a luxury because
life. How would you say you have strayed
I can be here for my family when they need
from the unconventional path?
something and they give me a lot of inspiration in return.
That’s difficult for me to say because I just do what I do. It’s not intentional. I wear the same
What are your favorite parts of the day?
shorts for days on end and watch a ridiculous amount of Netflix streaming movies while I
My favorite parts of the day are probably once
work. Obviously, being a creative person and
morning emails are done and I can turn on
making a living from it doesn’t necessarily go
some tunes or a movie and get into a drawing,
hand in hand but I have been fortunate enough
illustration, or something else creative. Sending
to make it work. I guess not having to commute
graphics off to the factory at some point during
to an office or another off-site workspace; I
the day is also a nice part of the day because
think I defy convention in that regard. I actually
there is a sense of accomplishment and I can
think of myself as kind of normal... kind of.
check those bastards off the list. Being able to take a break from work and go play with my
What are your top three passions in life?
kids is for sure the best part of my day. My son loves to come into the studio and sit on my
Family. Drawing. Comic books.
motorcycle too, so that’s pretty cool!
What made you decide to become an
You have been making graphics for
artist? Have you always wanted to work as
companies like, Forum, Nitro, Loser
a designer/artist?
Machine, and many more for years now – do you have any of your own personal
There was no other choice for me... I would be a
projects that you are working on?
lot less sane if there was not a creative outlet for me to pour myself out into.
I have been researching and reading a lot in preparation for a sci-fi graphic novel I plan on
What is a typical day for you?
illustration and writing someday.
Depending on deadlines and other scheduling
If you could do only one thing for the rest
I pretty much start the day as early as possible
of your life – what would it be?
and end when I have no more creative energy left or just need to step away from
Draw. Draw. Draw.
the computer, but even then my mind is still
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