Steven Richard Chew or SLi Dawg as his friends and the surf/art community know him grew up in the small old artist colony town of Laguna Beach. His earliest evidence of drawings were of spiraling faces done on plates at around age 2. Born to a family of lifeguards, surfers, doctors, divers, artist, and travelers it was almost inevitable he would stray from any other path. As an NSSA National Team member from 87-89, a graduate from Laguna Beach High School, and a Gotcha Team rider, he chose going off to collage to study art, philosophy, and surfing at San Diego State University and the epic reefs in the area. In the Fall of 93’ fires swept through Laguna Beach taking 433 homes with it, one of being Steven’s and his family’s. Not having a home or many worldly possessions inspired SLi to start taking his adventures and art more seriously. He set out around the world traveling to places like Indonesia, Europe, Africa, and Central and South America. SLi managed to land the dream job in Fiji on Tavarua Island as a lifeguard/boat driver and Entertainment Director. He helped create fun events for the guest and locals like the “Tavarua Turkey Treasure Hunt” and the Fijian cult classic movie “The Secret Of Moandrie Island”. SLi was doing mostly freelance art for the boarding industry to get to the next surfing destination or sacred spot through the 90’s. In the early 2000’s SLi and a few of his other friends decided it was time for their piece of the “Surf Industry pie”. They launched “TRKY” clothing company as a response to the boring seriousness of the industry and for just the fun of it. Other projects SLi has spearheaded are the “Art Farm Collective” philanthropy group, “The Laguna Beach Surf School”, “The Kavorkian 5000 Surf Championships”,” The Spring Fever Surfabout”, and a handful of fundraisers and events for The Surfrider Foundation, Tony Hawk Foundation, SurfAid International, and now working close with the Mauli Ola Foundation helping kids and folks with cystic fibrosis. The latest thing for SLi is the Soul Project which is a really exciting new adventure and a project he has been helping spearhead with his cousin Summer and Don. The Soul Project will be helping people, artist, and the environment worldwide. SLi always has a handful of projects cooking and he is always looking for the next adventure and inspiration. He lives by his mantra “Just keep living, laughing and loving”.
*For info on Steven and his projects contact:
