Billy Bain, South Avalon, Australia

Billy Bain may be 18 years old, but dude’s artwork is on-point. For the cover of Stab issue 50, we attached a three-pack of flairs to the tail of Jordy Smith’s sled – a sled that Billy had taken his pen to. To The Moon And Back was scrawled into the tail, below the head of a pink and green Gothic monster. Bill’s art is heavily inspired by Reg Mombassa: “I really enjoy the political commentary that he displays in his works. My dad recently bought me his autobiography The Mind and Times of Reg Mombassa, which has really inspired my art. Not so much in a technical sense, as our styles are quite different, but I’ve started trying to portray some form of commentary in my works now.” Billy ain’t tried to sell any of his work yet – he’s only made stuff for himself or a as gift to his girlfriend. For the love. As y’can see here, art ain’t the only place Bill’s talents lie. This tweaked backside hit was a land, even though it’s off-axis enough to look a like a throw-away. The kid behind the lens, Luke Schuetrumpf, is only 15 – he already has a good eye for composition and the kinda commitment necessary to make it in the photog game.