I began working at the Waialua Surf Shop August 2023 and haven’t looked back since. As I got to know Third Stone factory’s team and the surf culture of the North Shore and its history more and more with each tine I came in to film, photograph, design, whatever owner Steve Matthews had a vision for, I would learn more about the years of shaping and the legends who have come and gone, who are here to stay. One of Third Stone’s biggest assets is Andrew Miller, or “Drew toonz”, the official in-house artist of the surfboard factory. Toonz has been making comical, raw, hilarious, emo artwork for years and continues to the fuel and be the heartbeat of the surf shop.

 

I spent the last summer designing Drew a website to showcase his best work up to date and have him be able to sell some of his baby paintings and prints as well as being a tool commission hirings. One of the most special things about the Waialua Surf Shop, Third Stone, and the Sugar Mill, is that there’s space and opportunity to host art parties or watch parties for the whole community. This spring, I thought, it’s time to do an art show with me and Drew Toonz, maybe even others. So I got to planning it, simply called it the “Sugar Mill Art Show” with Artists Drew Toonz and Sophia Noel” and started cranking out jewelry, art prints, and ceramics under my small business name “Soph Sells Seashells” Sassy Ceramic Surf Jewelry. Drew Toonz had been on an absolute tear making art lately so there was no better time. Drew made more than 150 mini paintings ranging from sexy aloha babes to mini versions of the Third Stone shirts we sell along with some other larger than life pieces. The show was to be held in the new (unopened) Haleiwa Distillery Company across the pavement on July 20th- we had David Lin, a local artist, come perform, my friend Alyssa who works at Jorge’s bartend, and Drew Toonz Brought his handheld VCR to live tape people at a table with his art.

 

The large details still worked out last minute as I left for an hour to go get ready before the show started and theres no trace of Toonz… when I came back, the helicopter outside on the porch of the distillery was completely filled to the brim a chaotic, gorgeous display of Drew Toon’z original paintings to shop from. I sold my art and my ceramics, jumped up to sing a few songs with David Lin, and at the end of the night my friend Kyle who works in the surf shop had found a way to project old surf films and Drew toonz’ original animations on the side of the 30 foot sugar mill. It was the perfect cherry on the top to the night, a success with more to come this winter. I was so amazed by the way everything came together because of peoples enthusiasm, support, and spirit of aloha from start to finish. You can shop some of the prints from the Waialua Surf Shop or Third Stone soon online or check them out here, and inquire to do a studio visit with Sophia to see more of her work here.