Where Others See a Go-Kart, Jay Nelson Sees a Buggy Fit for a Sea Creature

"I look at this side of my work as a hobby," says San Francisco–based artist, designer, and surfer Jay Nelson. For context, he’s talking about a go-kart he recently transformed using his go-to materials, wood and fiberglass. With an exhaust sticking out the back like a Seussian snorkel, the kart looks like something you might catch a sea otter joyfully driving to their day job at the oyster farm.

The thing is, it takes some imagination to tell when Nelson is tinkering or taking things seriously. The other side of his work—his work work—is just as fun. Every project has a charming, woodsy, oceanic vibe, whether it’s a tree house for a client, a Subaru fitted with a camper and wood-burning stove for funsies, or, in this case, creating a commuter fit for a sea creature for his pals at Mollusk surf shop.

"The cool thing with Mollusk is that John McCambridge, the owner, is really excited about this kind of stuff," Nelson says. "We’ve built a few similar things—a boat, and a motor scooter with a little surf rack. John was a cartoonist, so he really comes from this fantasy world. We’re good working partners."

The duo knew they wanted to add something to Mollusk’s newest shop in Santa Barbara, but Nelson is never one to force things. "If you’re looking for something specific, chances are you probably won’t find it," he says. Instead, as is procedure, he began by daydreaming. He remembers sifting through listings on Craigslist one day, letting his mind wander when he found a guy in Barstow with a yard full of go-karts for sale. The wheels were set in motion, and Nelson’s assistant, Sam Buchanan, volunteered to run out to the desert to grab it. Then the fun began.

"It goes really fast—like, dangerously fast" —Jay Nelson