Here at Volcom we love a bit of down time..beachin, a few coldies and a good ol’ time. Someone we know feels the exact same way is Photographer and Volcom Featured Artist Elle Green. Elle’s photos remind us of better days when we vay-cay away from home and get up only to get down.Volcom head Creative Kimberley Reynolds chats to her good friend, nearly neighbour and all round mad woman Elle Green (Hell Green…Hellzie).
Kimmy: Where are you right now?
Hellzie: at home painting my nails and typing to you
Kimmy: what colour? any “feature nail”
Hellzie: Im doing one nail orange one nail blue type dealz
Kimmy: nice..what was your last meal?
Hellzie: mexican salad- rice, beans, tomato, avacado, coriander, Tapatio……
Kimmy: delicioso! I think there may be a mexican food day happning here..as I happen to know whats for dinner..
Hellzie: Moohahahahaa
Kimmy: How do you feel about food photos? Like when people instagram their meal? I know some people find it snore but I love it…you?
Hellzie: im ok with pictures of nice salads, mexican and japanese food- but no pictures of meat please I unfollow
Kimmy: ha. you have beef with the beef.
Kimmy: What are your favourite things to photograph?
Hellzie: I love photographing my travels…as people may be aware by now
Kimmy: I have noticed travel plays a big part in producing your work, how many photo trips do you go on each year?
Hellzie: definitely aim for at least 1 overseas trip a year, thats becoming more like 3-4 now though! Ive stepped it up a notch!
Kimmy: Tell us about your recent trip to Japan and the Exhibition you were part of?
Hellzie: It was my 4th time at Greenroom Festival in Yokohama since ’09 and my 2nd time at the festival as an “artist” featuring me the other years I was there to photograph the 2 day event its made up of surf inspired art, movies and music. It’s basically like 10% gaijin (caucasian) and 90% jumpin, reggae lovin, hippy flowin, beer drinkin Japanese.
Kimmy: You love the jumpin, reggae lovin, hippy flowin, beer drinkin Japanese I’m guessing as it was your 6th? 7th? time to Japan right? What besides the exhibitions your part of draws you there?
Hellzie: Every year I get to meet some incredible people from all around the world, however mostly American. Those people I call dear friends to me still today.
There’s something about being together in a Japan that brings us close, like a Lost In Translation story for sure, it happens every time I go.
Kimmy: what a beautiful description. I love that movie.
Kimmy: Actually your photos are kinda like that movie. In your portrait photos, often in cool cities, everyone always looks so chill and natural. How do you get them to feel comfortable around your camera? Do you get them drunk hellzie?
Hellzie: I guess because I’m quite a chilled out person normally- who can at the same time fire up and rage, (when Elle turns into “Hell” see whats happening here?) I’d like to think I bring that out in the people I am with.
Hellzie: oooo my nails look goooood.
Hellzie: I definitely have enough photos now to begin another travel/photo diary book this time about Tokyo.
Kimmy: Sick. What are your top 5 haunts in Tokyo?
Hellzie:
Karaoke in Roppongi
Some hip hop clubs in Shibuya, I think one is called ‘Beach Wave’ or somethin
Okinomiyaki in Hiroo
Lime in Roppongi was large for awhile there
Mi Casa in Roppongi was exceptional when it was open too
Actually Okinomiyaki was a dinner place where we’d start to drink so maybe not a “haunt” lets add New Lex in Roppongi on Thursdays where all the models would go and girls drink for free, incredible.
Kimmy: Well there ya go folks, a Tokyo tour to break your brain. Congratulations on your show Hells. You Rule.
