Find Your Outerknown: On Horseback With A Few Of Our Own

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Written by Valeri Horn and Tristan Hicks, Story courtesy of Outerknown

Images by Jen VerMeulen, courtesy of Outerknown

“Find Your Outerknown” is more than a tagline or a slogan; it’s a call to action that’s been a part of our brand DNA since the beginning. The Outerknown is part of who you are, it grounds you, resets your day, and makes you the best version of yourself. 

It can be big or small, physical or mental, at home or across the globe. We're not here to tell you what your Outerknown should look like but rather to inspire and encourage you to embark on a journey of your own. 

It's that very mission that led a few of us to venture off the paved roads and into a little taste of the country, where we visited the western stomping grounds of our Senior Copywriter, Valeri Horn, and Associate Art Director, Johnny Fracchiolla, who share a common passion for horsemanship and riding. 

What followed were two full days of unbelievable views, dirt-covered clothes, and the rhythm of hooves on the ground, capped off with a few drinks, tacos, and story-swapping in the evenings.

Here’s a collection of photos and words from the crew finding their Outerknown in every stride, laugh, and shared moment. We invite you to join us in the pursuit of finding your Outerknown – wherever, whenever, and however it may reveal itself. 

On The Road With Jim Olarte

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Written by Valeri Horn and Tristan Hicks, Story courtesy of Outerknown

Jim Olarte sits barefoot in the sun on the patio of his art studio, shooting the shit with his neighbor. "Hey guys!" He pops up and greets three giddy, wide-eyed Art Department Outerknownians with a big smile and immediately welcomes us inside.

Hundreds of feet of thick knotted nautical rope and giant colored fiberglass mobiles dangle from the ceiling–creating a man-made "kelp forest," as Jim calls it. Rick Rubin's The Creative Act: A Way of Being sits on a wooden stump next to an ashtray and a laptop playing the best of Sturgill Simpson.

"Sturgill's great, isn't he?" Jim says as he shuffles between his many suspended masterpieces.

After just a few minutes with Jim, you instantly feel this guy has a story…or five. 

Tables covered in found shells, discarded surfboard fins, and other recovered ocean relics line every wall; books and random photos lie scattered about next to a journal donning the words "Manifest That Shit," which only further piques my interest into who Jim Olarte really is.

Mimicking the energy of his found artifacts, Jim is unique, vibrant, and animated, but in an authentic, understated way.

We had the chance to drive down South to our Carlsbad shop with Jim and hear more about his journey.

Have you always worked with macramé and fiberglass?

I already had macramé in my skillset from school. Then, an art director asked me if I knew how to make macramé for the Roxy store, and I was like, "Oh yeah, I can have this as a career!" I have to say, because of the scale, I got some really good commissions early, like big, major commissions. And then, through some friends, I also had an exhibit at the Craft and Folk Art Museum, which is now Craft Contemporary, but that really helped solidify and legitimize my work to get a museum show.

I'm always curious about how those first connections are made, which ultimately leads to sharing your work with the public in a big way.
I've been very fortunate; it really is one of those things where it's who you know. And then that person runs with a high level of creative people. At some point, they're like, "Oh, you should hire Jim!" Next thing you know, you're there. It's honestly been one of those circumstances in my career, a lot of knowing the right people. Listen, I work really hard, but I'm not trying to get noticed. It just comes because your work is solid and consistent, and you're a good person. You have to be a good person. You have to give to get. It's the basic fundamentals of humanness.

People are definitely attracted to the frequency that you hold.
I mean, your guys' reaction when you came into the studio is basically everybody's reaction. Because that work is so big and that space allows for it, I'm really trying to make like a "kelp forest". You could almost be swimming through there. And that's what Matt from Indoek really loved also, that my work was dimensional. It wasn't on the wall; it was in the middle of the room, and you get to walk around it. We even had signs made that said, "Please touch," because I want people to touch it. It's big enough; it's sturdy, not super delicate, and sort of masculine, so, I'm like, please touch it, it's sturdy!

When did you start incorporating fiberglass into your work?

"I'm always looking for something unnatural in a natural environment…trash, lead weights, something that really shouldn't be there. I've trained my eye to look for textures and color in a natural environment. You can see something and go, 'Wait, this doesn't really belong there.'"

I just started collecting fiberglass one day. Close to a decade, I beachcombed daily at Cameo Shores in Corona Del Mar. I would go and basically live there. I like to go to the beach for about five hours, work on my tan, haha, and bum around. That particular beach I know like the back of my hand. I had a routine. I'd catch the bus, get a donut, go to the beach for three, four, five hours, and make a day out of it. Even though I had a career, it was really more about beachcombing than having a career. You actually need to find the stuff before you have a career out of that stuff.

Totally, and that's where the passion lies too. Spending the day at the beach, fully immersed in your surroundings.
I'm totally immersed. I see little sea creatures, certain types of animals that have their little cycle of where they eat algae. If you go enough, you can see it all every day. Your eye gets trained. You see the color of a rock or a shape or texture. Sometimes, I'd go to the beach, and the first shell I would find would be like an indicator of what I would find the rest of the day, and I love that. You also have to be open to seeing everything as well.

All of those lead weights I collect that's like 15 years of beachcombing. If you didn't know any better, you'd think they were just rocks because they're grey. Again, that's one of those things when you look for shape or that lead-color grey that oxidizes in saltwater. It's really like archaeology.

You clearly have an innate love for the planet. Were you always passionate about cleaning up the beaches and repurposing discarded items?
Absolutely. When I'd go to Cameo Shores and hang all day, I would pick up every single piece of plastic. I was keeping that beach clean. I did it for a long time and hauled out all the stuff. If there's obvious trash, I'll pick it up, but the beach is inundated with microplastics. Sometimes it would ruin the high of being at the beach and enjoying the beach. What's really neat and interesting is that there's a whole gang of people who are more than happy to pick up trash. If we all help, it works.

It's wild how much gets just left at the beach, being able to repurpose any of it is helpful.
One time, I collected beach shovels for a year or two and put them on some rope that I had found at the beach. Next thing you know, I had this 10-foot sculpture of beach shovels, so they kind of spiraled. I ended up selling it to Hurley for their corporate headquarters, and they loved it. It looked really good.

Do you always use the same found materials from beachcombing?
When I pick up fiberglass or driftwood, a lot of times I already know what it will look like. When I build my fiberglass, I start from the bottom with the best piece. That's where the most beautiful piece that you're showcasing is, at the very end. Sometimes, those little pieces are the jewel of that strand. If I have a really good beachcombing session, I will make a sculpture with what I found that day. Otherwise, you end up with a pile of fiberglass. But if you make it, it tells the story of that day. Certain sculptures I make will be all things from the same tide. That's the story that goes with each piece for me. Unless you have a story, it doesn't work. People love to know a little bit about the background of certain projects and the directions you're going.

That's very true. People love a good story.
Sometimes when I'm at the beach I think, should I go left, or should I go right? Sometimes you go, "Hey, I'm going to go left," and because you went left you are gifted with something special. Beachcombing for me, sometimes, I'll see a rock that catches my eye, so I'll go up to it, and then the treasure is really lying right next to it.

"My friends always say, 'Jim, you're not finding stuff; it's finding you.' And it really is. It wants to be a part of my sculpture, it's telling me. It's like that Rick Rubin book says: You have to be open. Otherwise, you may not receive it…Everything you find will be a surprise. Whatever I find will be amazing."

As in life, sometimes we have a plan of how we want life to go or how we expect the next moment to flow and sometimes where you end up is a more beautiful, expanding path you could have never predicted for yourself.
Totally. And you also can't beat yourself up for things that you should or shouldn't do or could or couldn't do. Just do what you can. Don't worry that it might rain. People always blame stuff on Mercury in retrograde, and that's so fucking bogus that if you don't want to deal with something and blame it on Mercury in retrograde. I have such a hard time with clichés. You just have to keep that child-like curiosity, sometimes we forget that stuff.

Damn right, Jim, damn right.

Listen to Jim. Get out there no excuses. See Jim Olarte’s upcycled masterpieces hanging in our Carlsbad shop now.

"On The Road With Outerknown - Summer in Oaxaca" - A Photo Story

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Our photo shoots are always a highly anticipated and welcomed change of pace for the Outerknown squad. For us, it is an opportunity to break in the upcoming collection while getting out of Los Angeles for a short time. This year, we elected to fly south, choosing the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico as our landing place. After hours of filing travel documents and meticulously packing cameras, boardshorts, and more, a compact squad of Outerknown team members and friends of the brand set out for the six-day getaway.  

Oaxaca did not disappoint, supplying an abundance of fun waves, natural beauty, new friends, and hotter-than-anticipated temperatures. The days were long but were capped off by evenings of flowing drinks and captivating tales. It was an all-around good time and the team brought back the photos to prove it.

READ THE FULL OUTERKNOWN ORIGINAL STORY

Written by Valeri Horn and Tristan Hicks

Images by Jen VerMeulen and Abbra Sharp, courtesy of Outerknown LLC

Quarantine Diaries Featured in Something Different Magazine

I was 13 the first time I was whisked away by ambulance, feeling as though I was drowning, but my feet were firm on land. I don’t remember much from that day, but you know how in the movies, when someone regains consciousness, they see bright lights and people hovering over them? 

You can probably imagine that if that person struggling to regain consciousness has ever been you. The memory can feel dream-like; as if you are recalling a scene from a film you once saw, not a scenario you actually lived through. 

There were four more ambulance rides that saved my life after that. Turns out, asthma, allergies and anxiety are a pretty uncomfortable combination- especially as a child who’s parents have no real medical history of either. You see, when asthmatic symptoms begin, anxiety never fails to remind you of how scary the last asthma attack was.

Just like at 13, it’s still a pretty uncomfortable combination. Throw in a sinus condition and environmental allergies, a change in seasons, and a chronic autoimmune disorder, and you’ve got a pretty interesting concoction to deal with during a global pandemic. 

I was 21 when I was diagnosed with my autoimmune condition, although I had been living with the same misdiagnosed symptoms my entire life. I was basically told autoimmune diseases don’t typically occur on their own; I would most likely be uncovering new issues for the rest of my life as I get older, but with the right knowledge base, I could manage my flares, lethargy, chronic pain, joint issues and depression caused by the loss of self-esteem many autoimmune diagnosis cause.

At first, I wasn’t afraid. When news broke that the coronavirus was in the US, I knew it was only a matter of time before it was from sea to shining sea. Truthfully, due to my “unstable” immune system, oddly enough, I sort of felt prepared. In theory, there wouldn’t be much that would change about my day to day life. But then you tie into the equation the other 7.8 billion people alive on this planet and each of their emotional responses to this chaotic news and you begin to throw yourself down a black hole of terrifying “what if’s”. 

By now, though, the fear has mostly surpassed. I have always been more afraid of a loved one contracting the virus and me not being able to spend time with them helping, than contracting it myself, and I don’t know if that will go away. I have learned I cannot focus on that day to day.

The introvert in me is flourishing. I am enjoying my time in solitude- exploring all my favorite mediums to create in. I am spending really positive, goofy time with my partner. I am communicating with physically distant loved ones on a regular, weekly basis. I am spending many days overflowing with ideas, living in a make-believe world I thought didn’t exist, with far less pressure to perform and impress people, and more self-expression. 

I have learned so many things in the last three weeks. 

I work best on a set schedule. Early morning is my favorite time of the day. Stretching each day really makes a difference. A clean, tidy, organized home helps me accomplish more. I typically let laundry pile up too long, and it’s much better if I take care of the dirty stuff right away. The dog sleeps better when I take her for a run with me in the morning..

I can’t ignore the deaths that have plagued our entire planet due to the coronavirus. I can’t ignore the healthcare professionals, grocery store workers, restaurant workers and other people who are continuing to work overtime so that our communities don’t completely collapse. I can’t ignore the risk they put themselves at in order to help the greater good, or the economic impact it will have, or the families it has caused to suffer. This should be taken seriously. And the people still walking into work each day are truly heros- that fact cannot be diminished. 

But I really believe that if any positivity comes of this, it should be that we all need to slow down a little more. The skies are all bluer. The oceans are cleaner. The sidewalks are fuller. The conversations, although they may be over video chat, are more intentional. Our days consist, mostly, of things we CHOOSE to do- often because we ENJOY doing them. I hear more kids laughter and birds chirping through our open windows, now than ever. 

This time, for me, is time being used to reset. It, so far, has been an unforeseen blessing. No- you do not need to accomplish a whole bunch during this time. It is completely alright if you want to spend your days binge watching Netflix and snacking to your hearts desire. It doesn’t NEED to be a life changing time for you. The crazy part about all of this is for once in your life, you don’t have many expectations. I know for many, it is a very difficult time. And don’t get me wrong, I have my breakdowns. I am fearful of my friends and family’s health. I am fearful of my own health.. My doctors are extremely difficult to get in touch with. My income is at a complete halt. I will not be spending my birthday with my friends with year. But at the end of the day, I am grateful for each breath, the people I have in my life, and I know the only way we are all going to get through this is one day at a time. 

California Part 1

For the month of November, I decided to take off. I was truly in a lot of pain, a type of pain I had never experienced before, and the best way I knew how to heal was taking a break from my daily life to explore.

Originally, I planned to do the entire month long trip solo. But, as always, plans change, and I had a couple friends who joined me at different points throughout the trip. I documented every day, and I updated my instagram story with journal entries from each adventure.

I’ve broken up my trip into three different legs: San Francisco/Yosemite, Monterey/Los Angeles, and Palm Springs/Joshua Tree. Here’s a little look into the San Francisco/Yosemite leg.

EMMA ELIZABETH JEWELRY // A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

A project for Emma Elizabeth Jewelry, a local metalsmith in the Grand Rapids area, has finally come to fruition after months of conceptualization. With the help of Tawwney Sayre (makeup)  and Riley Deem (hair), and of course the models for our project, Taylor Blair, Claire Meyer, and Zoryah Peplinski, both myself and Justin Herd from One Click Creative were able to create content to hype up this entrepreneur and the release of her updated website.

As a small business owner, making unique designs for her brand, Emma has dreamt of the day that our creative processes could merge into one. Here's what we were able to all come up with collectively. 

 

BEHIND THE FACES // MAKEUP BY TAWWNEY

Photographers have a difficult job, sure, but it's only a piece to the entire production. The key to a successful final image and successful shoot is all elements working in favor of one another. A killer final image can't be attained without precise attention to detail. Things like an even skin tone, light flush of color on the cheeks, or a precise, clean winged liner all make post processing easier for me.

Tawwney and I met a few months back via instagram when I reached out to my instagram following asking for a makeup artist who would be interested in forming a long term relationship. She reached out, and fast forward to where we are now. We've created some really awesome art together and it's been a really fantastic journey for the both of us. 

I compiled a list of questions for Tawwney that would help you all get to know her better.

Q: What is one makeup product you cannot live without?

A: My brushes 100%- they make the dream work, also- never underestimate the power of a good moisturizer

Q: What has been your favorite collaboration thus far?

A: I've been loving all my collaborations with Jen, my favorite so far would be a toss up between the City Flats collab with Karlee and the fashion shoot with Kelsey because I am a SUCKER for a bold look. 

 

Q: How did you begin your career as a makeup artist, and where do you see your career going in the future?

A: Honestly, I have had a passion for the beauty industry since day one. Makeup has always been something i've wanted to pursue but school always came first. I finally started my career a year ago training and working for a local salon which has been amazing and rewarding. I've met so many passion-filled industry friends and mentors, but I know the future for me is freelance, and I can't wait to get started. 

Q: What is your favorite part about the work you do?

A: The big reveal, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing your client smile ear to ear. And the best part about it is that they feel beautiful in their own skin. That is so important to me. 

Q: Any upcoming projects your excited about?

A: SO MANY I can't wait to get started, I think the one I am most excited about is a 31 day collaboration around a certain spooky holiday!

BEHIND THE SCENES //

I think in our world, competition has gone a little too far. I've met some incredibly talented creatives who are more concerned about someone stealing their photoshoot location than they are about improving their own work and encouraging others to improve as well. In my eyes, we're all different enough that shooting at the same location doesn't mean our images will turn out the same. I'm all about lifting each other and pushing each other to reach our individual, fullest potential. 

When I first connected with Auston Wittenbach on instagram (@awittenbach) I realized his passion was in his art. And that was the most important part. He wasn't protecting top secret information about his work, he was simply creating. He messaged me to say he'd be down to shoot with Mitch and I sometime, so I felt like I had an awesome opportunity for him. 

He came along to shoot behind the scenes and the end result I couldn't be happier with. Let me just show you and you can see for yourself. 

I do collaborations all the time, but it feels different when you're working with creatives who are doing it to create genuine connections, grow personally and have something your lacking that will push you to do the same. 

THE POWER OF SIMPLICITY //

I know if you've found yourself on this screen, you probably appreciate what goes into creating my work. I wanted to dive in a little deeper to show you a shot I enjoyed taking, but that was taken to another level with just a little bit of post-production work!

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This long exposure shot is of course interesting in nature. The immediate thought is generally "how did she do that?!", but after the initial shock of the interesting photo, you can see it's not all that great after all. 

The background is extremely distracting and not appealing by any means. That's why I took to photoshop. 

A much cleaner image, with less distraction and more focus on the subjects. It's easier on the eyes, and doesn't take away from the movement in the center of the frame. 

Simplicity in photography can be achieved in more ways than just deletion of the background. Using a shallow depth of focus, a monochromatic color scheme, and a plethora of other things achieve the same look. 

MAUI // HAWAII

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During our week and a half on the most dreamy island, we saw nature in a way we had never yet before, spent some time with the locals, created content for some brands, and just genuinely enjoyed ourselves. Check out Mitch's video here.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc-L5M4xW3...