Living just a few blocks from the ocean, I spend most mornings walking along the beach promenade, watching surfers catching waves at the local breaks. It’s funny how you can be around something all the time and never fully realize its impact. That was me, back in 2000, when I first met Jeff Ho.
Who is Jeff Ho?
I didn’t know who Jeff was at the time. He was just this guy who showed up at my wife’s friend’s house in Venice, CA. They’d chat, and I’d admire these amazing surfboards he always had on his car. The boards were beautiful—handcrafted with vibrant, eye-catching designs. One day, I got the idea to ask him if I could paint his portrait. He had such an interesting face, and I wanted to capture that on canvas.
What Makes Jeff Ho So Important?
It wasn’t until after I finished the portrait that I found out who Jeff Ho really was. Turns out, Jeff was one of the original Z-Boys—yeah, those Z-Boys. The crew that revolutionized skateboarding and surfing in the ’70s. They took their raw, gritty style from the streets of South Santa Monica and Venice and turned it into a worldwide phenomenon. Jeff started the Zephyr Surf Team, which later gave rise to the Z-Boys skate team.
What’s the Story Behind Jeff Ho’s Surfboards?
Jeff opened Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions back in 1971. It became a hub for the local surf and skate scene in Venice Beach. His boards weren’t just tools for riding waves—they were works of art. And that’s what caught my attention before I even knew his history. The man behind those surfboards wasn’t just shaping fiberglass; he was shaping a culture.
Why Did I Want to Paint Jeff Ho?
To be honest, I didn’t approach Jeff because he was some famous skater or surfer—I didn’t even know that side of him. What grabbed me was the artistry of his boards and his face, the way it seemed to tell a story of creativity and passion. And that’s what I wanted to capture with my painting. His laid-back, welcoming vibe made it easy. He sat for me, and I worked to bring his essence to life on canvas. It wasn’t until months later that I realized I had painted a piece of history, not just a portrait.
What Legacy Did Jeff Ho Leave Behind?
Jeff’s story is still very much alive today. He’s not just some guy from a documentary (Dogtown and Z-Boys, if you haven’t seen it, is a must-watch). He still shapes surfboards, and his designs are available online. His influence on both surfing and skateboarding continues to ripple through Venice Beach’s culture.
The Jeff Ho Painting
Looking back, meeting Jeff and painting his portrait taught me something deeper. You don’t always know the full story of the people you cross paths with, but if you pay attention, you might capture something more meaningful. Whether it’s a surfboard, a skateboard, or a painting, it’s not just about what you see—it’s about what you feel when you create it.
