Jared Sislin Mural

Jared Sislin Artist Statement

New 40 foot mural in DP! So stoked on this opportunity. Thank you to Mary at Girl in the Curl for making this happen and JRD printing for the awesome installation. I shot this photo at Salt Creek it’s always been one of Mary’s favorites of mine. We’ve been talking about this for a long time. Stoked to finally make it happen! Go check it out in person and let me know what you think!

(This is an actual photograph printed on vinyl then laminated on the wall)

Address - 34116 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point, CA 92629

Insta @jaredsislinphotography

Sislan Mural at Girl in the Curl Showcases Salt Creek

Dana Point Times, by Ella Boyd

Local surf photographer Jared Sislin has transformed one of his favorite surf images into a striking new mural at the iconic Girl in the Curl Surf Shop in Dana Point, bringing a piece of surf culture into public view for everyone to enjoy.

“I’ve known Mary, the owner of Girl in the Curl, since I was a little kid,” Sislin said, referring to Mary Hartmann. “Mary has a surf camp, and I started taking photos of the kids there, and the parents bought the photos from me.”

Jared did this for almost a decade, launching his now professional photography career. The connection came full circle when Mary suggested turning one of Sislin’s photographs, a sunset shot of Salt Creek, into a mural.

“She’s always loved that photo. Ever since I shot it, she’s said, ‘I want to get a big one of these for the shop or my house or whatever.’ When we started talking about the mural, she said, ‘Hey, what about the photo, the pink wave photo?’ ” The rest is history.

Unlike a painting, the mural is Sislin’s actual photograph, printed on vinyl and applied directly to the wall.

“A lot of people think it’s a painting,” he said, “but it’s a real photograph printed on vinyl and then it’s laminated onto the wall.”

Sislin recalls that day he shot the image: “It was like dusk, basically after sunset. I just remember it being a really beautiful day. It was glassy, no wind. Nobody out, maybe a couple people out, and just perfect little waves coming through. You can see the Healands in the background. It’s looking down Salt Creek and towards Strands.”

Seeing the photograph scaled up to mural size was a first for Sislin.

“I was really nervous,” he said, laughing. “I’ve never done a print at this size. The printer FaceTimed me when it was going up, and right when I saw it, I knew there was nothing to worry about anymore. It looked killer. It’s surreal seeing your work at that scale.”

The mural has already become a favorite for passersby.

“I’ve been told by multiple people that it’s calming and dreamy,” he said. “People really enjoy looking at it, especially when they’re at JC Beans (Coffee House) getting coffee, because sometimes there’s a line, or when you’re driving down PCH.”

For Sislin, the project represents both a career milestone and a tribute to the local surf community.

“We’re a surf town. That’s the culture of Dana Point,” he said. “I think all sorts of art are awesome, but I especially think it’s great to have local art and showcase local artists. It’s cool to see your home break on a big wall.”

The response to the mural, he said, has been overwhelming. “I’m super thankful for all the support from the community and all the messages and the comments that I got. Everyone seems like they’re really happy with it, so that meant a lot,” he added.

Sislin gave a special thanks to Mary at Girl in the Curl, as well as JRD Printing in San Clemente for producing the mural.

“It was really cool to actually go there and watch it being put up panel by panel. It was like a full day of them laying it down and heating it, and then they had to go back the next day to do the final touch-up,” he said.

The project has already sparked new opportunities. “Since I’ve done that, now multiple local businesses have reached out to me,” Sislin said. “It’s really motivating to go out and get new shots. You want to see new work on the wall, too.”

Ella Boyd is a writer and photographer. Her work appears in The Surftime Journal, Powder, Surfer, Daybreak Magazine, The Inertia, and The Encyclopedia of Surfing. In 2023, she was a finalist for the Follow the Light Surf Photography Grant Program. She mostly logs, but rides a surf mat or kneeboard if the conditions call for it. You can find her work here: ella-boyd.com.