The new issue of UNDR RPBLC MGZN just dropped. Photographer Jerry Buttles has a series of artist portraits featured in the issue. I am honored to be included with other San Francisco icons: Mike Giant and Jeremy Fish. This might be the last portrait shot of me in my current home office as I am moving the studio into a beautiful new retail space in the Mission district of SF.

EXIT Skateshop had a really nice feature on the largest skateboard site out right now The Berrics. They highlighted some Benny Gold clothing (check 2:36), so I thought it was only right to repost it on our site. Thanks Steve for the shout and stocking the line. I really appreciate it! I need to come out and skate your park with you soon!

This is big year for me and the brand. We are moving into our new head quarters. We needed a space that can be used for multiple purposes (design studio / warehouse / retail space). I found a great 2 floor location in the mission district of SF. Here are a few pics of the buildout for the upstairs design studio.

This is how it looked before we got in there. Nasty red carpet everywhere.

Pulled the carpet up to a find a water damaged douglas fir floor. Hell yeah! That carpet gotta go!

It was harder then i thought to get rid of the carpet. Some serious old glue and tile underneath.

Sanded, stained and sealed - much better already and we are just getting started!

Next up is paint. Found some magnetic paint for the walls. No more messy cork board inspiration wall to hold sketches.

With the success of last years Mash Cinelli frame we got to release a second color option for this year. I incorporated the lighting bolt, from the Mash logo, into the bikes paint scheme giving the bike a feeling of speed. I also snuck the Benny Gold paper airplane icon onto the bottom bracket - ha! This years green and white colors were inspired by a classic Adidas Rod Laver. The bike will be available in spring and I can’t wait!

Last year Gravis hired me to work on their Expedition Series. I created graphics inspired by vintage camp patches, but with a skateboard, surf and snow twist to fit their brand. The patches were designed for their bags shoes and apparel collections. Stay tuned because these products will be in store mid February.

When I started making random stuff like a run of stickers or a hand screen shirt in my kitchen I had no idea that one day it would be available around the world. New to our dealer list is Commune in Manila. It’s amazing that an independent project started in a San Francisco studio apartment can end up being sold half way across the world in the Philippines!

Thank you all for keeping up with the brand and all the support. Without you it would have never made it out of my studio apartment and into such great stores. We are just getting started!

There are some friends in life that you know will always be there for you. Leland and Johnny are those guys to a lot of people in SF. They have been supplying most of the city with all the Roughneck Hardware we need and a consistent daily dose of skating on the 48 Blocks site.

They recently got together and opened the DWNTWN skate shop. It’s located in the middle of the the Tenderloin and Nob Hill areas of San Francisco. It’s funny that they are on the fringe of both those SF neighborhoods because that speaks to them as business patners. Johnny is hesh and Leland is fresh. Life is about balance. I try to live my life that way also - not too far on either side.

Check out their introductory shop video and stop by to pick up some Benny Gold gear. They supported most of the city for years and now its our turn to return the favor. All the best guys!

The tattoo emails continue to come in. Matt Burnaford sent in this pic of his recent Benny Gold paper plane tattoo. Good looks! Anyone out there with the balsa wood glider plane tattoo?

Remember to post these up into the Gold Flickr group It’s growing into an amazing archive by all of you! Thank you!