Bike Lane Graffiti

Busy days indeed! Lots of work and scheming going into the next few weeks as we prepare for Kona 2010. Custom tees going to the screener, Kona Special-Tees getting re-worked and ENDURANCE MAXIMUS preparing to be introduced to the island. You best check back regularly from here on as there’s lots of fun stuff coming soon.

We’ve got a couple of Special-Tee’s coming out in the lead up to Kona. Here’s the first.

Here’s a few bits and pieces…

So, how does one celebrate after finishing 6th overall at a 100 mile running race held mostly up around 10,000 ft on ridiculously rugged terrain you ask? Simple! Congrats Tim!

Pulled out something from the archives, circa 2007. The original marathon man – Phidippides.

It only took about 5 hrs for EC to nearly sell out of El Patron’ on the first day. Make sure you swing by early today if you want a chance to snag some of the new tees – they’re going fast!

Kinda catchy – F*#& You by Cee Lo Green

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

So, EC friend & amazing singer/songwriter, Zach Ashton, has generously allowed us to offer a free download of one of his killer tunes to our readers. Zach, self described as “cursed with intensity and blessed with emotion”, calls San Francisco his home these days.

Since we’re gearing up for Kona and in a constant state of rush, we opted to go with one of Zach’s mellow tunes – OCEAN. Fitting since that’s where we’re headed in a couple weeks. So, after a long day of rocking the loud stuff while training, download a little Zach and let it’s mellow-ness take you over.

Highly Recommended!

Be sure to check out more of Zach’s tunes here. You can also follow him on Twitter for his latest shows and new tunes.

Goto Creative Allies Blog to view the complete interview

Creative Ally Tony DeBoom lives in Boulder with his wife and three daughters. DeBoom is the recent winner of our Jack Johnson: To the Sea tour poster contest. Here’s a little peek into the mind of this adventurer, athlete, designer and dad who also owns his own clothing apparel line.

How does your interest in nature and sports inform your work as a designer?

Since I spend a large amount of time outdoors training and interacting with other athletes and businesses, both nature and sport are major influences. In my own apparel line, I always try to include a little of both in every piece I do and all of our items are made from organic materials. My business is also a member of 1% for the Planet, which supports a multitude of environmental non-profit groups.

How long have you been a designer?

Not long. I’ve always been what I call a closet doodler. The designer label came along out of necessity as I began working on the business side of my sport. I worked with Red Bull, Patagonia, multiple cycling and triathlon publications and kept promising that I could come up with the graphics for different projects — so, maybe 2 or 3 years in total.

How does your role as a father and husband affect your work?

My wife actually went to a graphic arts school in Denver and taught me the basics with photoshop and illustrator, so without her, who knows if I would have gone down this path. As for my kids, I have 3 daughters who love to sit with me and draw and color while I work. I guess I’m drawn towards creating more wholesome designs that I wouldn’t be ashamed of them seeing.

How would you describe your personal design style?

Sort of loose and casual – even though I was trained as an engineer, I don’t seem to get caught up with straight lines and perfection. I prefer things to look slightly imperfect – I think people can relate to that better.

Have any artists or art movements influenced you as a designer?

I’m a big fan of the surf movement. There are a lot of very cool things going on artistically with some of these smaller surf companies. Not the big Billabongs and Quiksilvers, but more like Ando and Friends, Critical Slide Society and the like.

What is your favorite software program?

Since I’m new and am self taught, I’m partial to what I know–the Adobe products–Illustrator, Photoshop.

Do you incorporate your own illustrations or photography into your work?

Yes. I have some shutter stock photos that I used in the beginning due to a lack of owning photos I deemed necessary, but I’ve gotten into the habit of carrying around a camera with me whenever possible, so I’m building my library of images. I also have friends who are photographers in the endurance sports industry and we work out deals to use their images. The illustrations are probably 98% mine.

Can you share one of your favorite designs with us?

This Coffees of Hawaii design is for a commemorative t-shirt that will be given out at the Hawaiian Ironman event this October. Coffees of Hawaii have been a longtime sponsor of the event and they have gained notoriety in the past for having a floating coffee bar approximately one mile from shore on the Ironman swim course.The illustration is my impression of the floating coffee bar and the activity that goes on around it.

What are some of your favorite places in the world?

Kona, Hawaii – where my wife lived when we met – it’s like another hometown for us.

Anywhere in Austria – just a gorgeous country that everyone should visit.

Tony’s winning entry is now a limited-edition poster for the West Coast leg of Jack’s current world tour. For his well-deserved win, Tony got backstage VIP tickets to see Jack anywhere on tour a $1000 plane ticket could get him and a guest, a night’s accommodations for two and the chance to meet Jack and openers ALO backstage.