Virgen’s View: A cool mix of art, fashion and sport at Hurley Printing Press

Art, surf, skate, fashion and fun intertwined on the corner of Walnut Aveune and 3rd Street in Huntington Beach.

The Vans US Open of Surfing is in full effect near Huntington Beach Pier, so that means there is plenty of great scenery outside Hurley Printing Press, a pop-up shop presented by Costa Mesa-based Hurley that is in HB for the week. Yes, the scenery comes in the form of California girls in bikinis and muscle-toned dudes.

There were also bright colors and a cool party vibe inside the T-shirt printing shop that took the place of Livery Design Gruppe for the week. Surfing and skateboarding are among several sports at the Open, where there are a variety of activities, as well as different types of music acts, and art in Huntington Beach.

There was a buzz surrounding Hurley Printing Press Friday afternoon when pro surfer Rob Machado and artist extraordinaire C.R. Stecyk III stopped by.

They were there to interact with customers, surfing and skateboarding fans, and art lovers.

Machado said he enjoyed taking part in the process of the unique touch at Hurley Printing Press, where you can pick a special design, and a colored T-shirt to have it printed on to create an exclusive artistic top.

Machado called it, “instant satisfaction.”

“It’s better than going to a store and just picking a shirt that is there,” he said.

Machado wasn’t the only one who was happy with the product.

“It’s cool, man,” said Cameron Montgomery, 25, of Long Beach, who mentioned he came to the Open for the girls, and surfing. “I got to pick something out that is, like, my own, that’s unique.”

Montgomery picked out a Stecyk drawing of a duck to be printed on an orange shirt.

“Dope,” Montgomery said of the shirt.

Stecyk appreciates such comments. He’s been a part of different types of art, including film, photography and design. The Hurley Printing Press is a concept that excites him and he appeared to have fun during his appearance at the store.

“I like the idea of it,” Stecyk said of Hurley Printing Press, which will open in Costa Mesa in August. “I have exhibited a number of fine art forms. It can be sterile and remote. It’s nice to come out and create with the public and be with the public and interact with people who love and appreciate the art. It’s a gratifying process.”

Jason Maloney, 38, a Newport Beach resident who is the director of art for Hurley Printing Press, said the company wants to engage the customer and be a part of an exclusive experience.

Maloney, who is also an artist for the brand, couldn’t help but smile when Machado posed for photos outside of the store on Friday.

Machado, a three-time U.S. Open champion and a Surfing Walk of Fame honoree, stood next to a mural that featured a drawing of the famous surfer’s face.

Mark Paul Deren, better known as MADSTEEZ, created the mural. It is among several pieces of art at or near the shop.

MADSTEEZ was among several artists who have appeared or will appear at Hurley Printing Press this week. He appeared Thursday and left behind the mural that has attracted several people who have walked past it.

“It’s insane,” Machado said of the mural. “I was watching it come together from photos on Instagram. When I pulled in [Friday] it was just so great to see the whole mural. It’s an honor.”

The down-to-earth Machado, 39, who is retired from the Assn. of Surfing Professionals World Tour, signed T-shirts and posters, and posed for photos with fans during his visit.

Different Hurley pros have been to the shop to attract more fans, including Julian Wilson (2012 US Open champion), Lakey Peterson (2012 US Open champion), Carissa Moore (2011 world champion) and Kolohe Andino among others. They will continue to appear Saturday and Sunday.

Tim Hendricks, an artist known for his tattoos, is scheduled to be at the store Saturday. Sunday will feature the Hurley art department.