Spencer Reynolds - Surf Artist
Spencer Reynolds grew up where the ocean is cold, rough, and the skies are often cloudy. The coast is mysterious and majestic; in my opinion one of the most beautiful places on the planet. My hometown was a modest blue-collar place full of loggers and fishermen located on the Southern Oregon coast.
My older brother had a cheap foam body board made out of that Styrofoam used for ice chests; a cloth mesh encased the board holding it together. I dreamed of surfing this thing that closely resembled an ironing board. On my tenth birthday my parents gave me one of my own and also a life jacket (?). I still remember the rush of catching that first white water, riding it to shore and thinking “I must be doing 40 mph” as I slid up the sand.
By the age of thirteen my parents started letting me head to the beach with my friends. We would strap our crude foam boogie boards to our backs; hop onto hand me down bikes some with mismatched wheels and race to the water. We were first generation Southern Oregon breed surfers, embracing the little exposure we had to the 80’s, neon t-shirt surfing culture.
Our parents resisted buying us wetsuits thinking that surfing was a phase and we would grow out of it. We didn’t care that our bodies turned blue from being cold, or about any other obstacles. Our excitement for this newfound thing was enough to keep us coming back for more.
The place where we ventured into the ocean was not a typical surfing spot. It was often a murky windblown shore break with waves coming from three directions. Surfing there was more akin to riding an angry bull, or maybe a pissed off goat (the waves we were riding weren’t that big). Waves tossed us into the air without mercy and we loved every minute. Like bull riding we became familiar with how the wave bucked and quickly learned how to ride it as long as we could.
But we were far from conquers, the wave had a mind of its own, and occasionally it would rear up to kick us off; our bodies resembling a cowboy getting bucked like a rag doll. We spent every possible minute we could at the beach challenging this mutant wave.
Out of these experiences my story was born. It isn’t extraordinary; there are no tales of riding sixty-foot waves or discovery of world class surf spots. The importance of sharing my story lies in my early excitement for my friends, surfing and the ocean. These elemental experiences I had in my youth are what motivate my artwork today.
Child like discovery, beauty, and reverent joy of creation are abundant themes through out my paintings. Surfing was a part of the catalyst for these life qualities I commonly portray through visual art.
View Spencer Reynolds' Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com |
Shawn Griggs - Surf Artist Shawn Griggs, a native Californian, has been creating art for 20 plus years. Since receiving a degree in studio/graphic arts from Humboldt State University in 1994, Shawn has become proficient in illustration, graphic design, watercolors, and most recently oil painting. Besides painting, Shawn is also an avid Humboldt County surfer with a hunger for travel. Both the north coast and experiences abroad supply Shawn with the bulk of his imagery and each painting has a story behind it. This love for the coast combined with his application of color and design result in bold, colorful paintings that are pleasing to the eye. View Shawn Griggs' Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com | |
Sarina Tomchin - Surf Artist 
Artist & Designer Sarina grew up on the NSW Central Coast at Toowoon Bay in a mad household of surfers and fishermen. She studied at Sydney College of the Arts and then over the next 10 years, experimented with graphic, home-wares, sportswear and surfwear design. She began concentrating more on painting and soon her paintings, ceramics and graphics were hanging in a host of homes in Australia and abroad. She’s held seven major solo exhibitions and her originals are sought after by an international client base.
Sarina has featured in many magazines and newspapers, including Beautiful Homes, Belle, House & Garden, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sunday Telegraph, Home magazine in the Daily Telegraph, and Mythos (Italy).
Her husband Michael added his expertise in 2002 and Sarina was encouraged to explore the world of fashion, utilizing her imagery on fashion accessories and clothing using skills learnt from years of surf and sportswear design. Companies license her designs and imagery on commercial products such as prints, placemats, stationery and ceramics.
Sarina now has her own fashion label, Doily Couture which uses her creativity, humor and imagination to create ranges of clothing for women that are unique, a little quirky & offbeat. She also recently joined forces with two mad keen cyclists to create Apres Velo. The aim behind this label is to create a casual range of cycling clothing for hard core cyclists to wear “after cycling”.
Sarina has always had a love for the sea. After growing up on the coast, she has lived by the water ever since. Her love of the sea and a coastal lifestyle is reflected in many of her works which feature seascapes from exotic locations both here and abroad. The vibrancy of her aquamarine waters and a calming beach lifestyle are a feature of Sarina’s paintings. They depict where she would always “rather be”…..on a verandah with a good cuppa, a book and the sun, sea and surf in front.
A self confessed health & fitness nutter, Sarina represented Australia as a surf-lifesaver and is an accomplished long-distance runner, having competed in more than 100 triathlons, and racing the arduous Six Foot Track Marathon four times, winning once and finishing in the first four on each occasion. She competes regularly in adventures races & does a lot of swimming, mountain biking, paddling and bush or soft sand running.
Sarina lives and works in a big, comfy, Aussie beach house on Sydney’s northern beaches with her husband Michael, daughters Mieka and Bianca, and a big dopey German Shepherd, Indie.
View Sarina Tomchin's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Richard Harvey - Surf Artist  Former Australian surfing champion Richard Harvey is back doing what he loves, creating great boards and works of art in his studio / gallery at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast. Richard, born 1948, has lived through the heart of the evolution of surfing in Australia. He started learning about the ocean and its power as a boy on holidays at Manly in the 50s and 60s and later when his family moved to Mona Vale on Sydney’s northern beaches. In his late teens Richard joined the local surfriders club and began his competitive surfing career. He competed in events across the country and in 1973 went on to win the Australian title. This of course led to surfing competitions in Hawaii like the Pipe Masters and The Duke Kahanamoku Hawaiian Surfing Classic. His desire to surf the best waves in the world has taken him all around the globe. But Richard is probably best known for uncovering some of the classic breaks at Bali before it became popular. He once paddled and walked his way back from Uluwatu to Kuta along the coastline discovering the magical surfing playground that is now known as Padang Padang. Richard has more than 40 years of shaping experience which he uses to create his hand-crafted boards. His shaping career started as a teenager in Sydney in the 60s when he used a saw to take the front two feet off a nine-foot board which he then used in the New South Wales Championships. His ‘Ugly’ board, as it became known, drew plenty of laughs but the turns kept coming and he went on to take third in the event. The idea spawned his enthusiasm for shaping and he has since gone on to shape thousands of boards in Australia and around the world. Nowadays his focus is on designing and making handcrafted boards that stand out from the mass-produced machine-shaped boards of the modern era and creating original art pieces that reflect his love for surfing and the ocean. They range from modern contemporary style paintings on canvas to classic seascapes and timeless images of surfers on waves. He is also a keen photographer with an eye for a great shot. Still an accomplished surfer, Richard enjoys getting out amongst the beach breaks of the Gold Coast when time permits. His busy agenda of painting, photography, writing, shaping and designing keeps him enthused and inspired. Richard is excited to be a part of Boarders Place and looks forward to showcasing his art and photography to the world. View Richard Harvey's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Phil Roberts - Surf Artist |
Michael Pitt - Surf Artist  Michael Pitt - The Paintings. The paintings are poured and carved, splattered and sprayed, rubbed and layered. Its an intensely physical process. Then, when you stop at the right time, you get a great piece of art. The paintings reflect my experience and fascination with the ocean.
The Journey. A career in surfboards led to a search for waves, women and wine, culminating in a long sojourn in Tahiti. It was here that demand flourished - the Tahitians identifying with a bold use of colour, texture & concepts. I am now living on the South Coast of NSW, in a beautiful, wild place - a powerful inspiration for art.
The Influences. A small child enraptured by Van Gogh’s big flowers and crazy nights grew into an adult enamoured of artists who create with passion. You can see it in work by Whitely, Pollock, and Turner. I am influenced by dreams, howling southerly storms (as I write), westerlies slamming the ocean flat on a screaming blue day, big grey waves dredging on shallow slabs of reef, tropical coral islands, the heat of the sun, tracks of the moon on water, dolphins and sharks, turtles and sea eagles, the laughter of children, and the look of love.
View Michael Pitt's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Michael Lorenzini - Surf Artist  Michael Lorenzini grew up in Oregon, learning to surf in the frigid, sharky waters of the Pacific Northwest. These repeated ice water dunkings taught him humility, and respect for the ocean’s power. It also gave him an undiminished sense of awe for the unique experiences and perspectives only surfers are shown. His fascination with the total aesthetic experience of surfing is what drives his art. The way the ocean never quite repeats itself in color, texture, and form. He hopes to convey at least some part of that experience to the viewer, whether it be a barrel, a cliff-top surf check, the paddle out, or simply buying a bar of wax. Lorenzini is mostly self-taught, and usually works in acrylic paint. His work has been included in the Mirror Pond gallery’s miniature show, as well as Longboard Magazine’s 2007 Surf Art issue. View Michael Lorenzini's Surf Art Galleries online at www.boardersplace.com
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Jesse Miller - Surf Artist  Jesse Miller was born and grew up surfing in San Diego. He always wanted to go to Hawaii where the water was warm and the waves were good. When he started thinking about college, he learned about Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and couldn't think of going anywhere else. BYU-H is a small university on Oahu exactly 10 miles from Sunset Beach. He looked at all the programs they offered, and the Fine Arts program looked good. Before that, he hadn't ever really thought about art, much less producing it. But, once he got to school, he threw himself into everything head first. The surf was everything he had imagined, and the art program was exactly what he hoped for. He started out like any beginning art student would, but persisted and practiced, and by the time he graduated in 1996, with Bachelors of Fine Art degree, he was winning awards in the college art shows. After living in Hawaii for six years, he came back to San Diego, to continue to paint. He soon got a job with the City of San Diego as a lifeguard. That lets him work at the beach during the summer, and gives him all winter to concentrate on art. Being in touch with the ocean is important to Jesse for both being a lifeguard, and an artist. Landscapes, seascapes, figurative work and wildlife, all find a home in his work. He explains it like this: “I like to show others what I see in life. My artwork is about what I look at, what I am about, and what I want to share with others.” Almost all his work is inspired by what goes on like 500 feet in both directions from the shoreline. Not just the act of riding a wave, but the whole beach and surf culture surrounding it. There are millions of great surf shots published every month in magazines, so he looks to what goes on before, after and around surfing for his inspiration. He wants to show what those who surf see and take for granted every day. His style is more than just pretty pictures of the ocean. He has been compared to both Andrew Wyeth and Norman Rockwell. Not because of technique, or color scheme, but because the artists are able to evoke a specific sense of time, place and emotion. Dedication, understanding and philosophy all ignite Jesse’s artwork. His work is more than people and places drawn convincingly, but art that lives and moves. Jesse’s art has been displayed throughout Hawaii and California, and his work has been found by collectors all over the United States, and even internationally. As he continues to create new work, his main goal has remained the same: Sharing with a viewer the allure and beauty of the ocean and all that happens around it. View Jesse Miller's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Jaime Caton Noia - Surf Artist  AGE- 35 RESIDENCE- ENSENADA, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO YEARS PAINTING- 15, BUT ONLY ABOUT TWO YEARS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY MEDIUMS- ACRYLIC, OIL, SPRAY PAINT, TEXTURES, WOOD, SURFBOARDS, PAINT PENS, WATERCOLOR, COLORED PENCIL I got into art at a very young age because my mom was an accomplished oil painted. (many of here pieces still decorate my parents home) So around the age of 5 or so I probably first touched paints but it never really went anywhere at that age. I can vaguely remember drawing a little bit during my adolescent years but always got frustrated when I saw other people with natural talent producing quality drawings effortlessly. In high school I took ceramics but it was more just because I didnt want to take a foreign language. It wasn’t until after high school that I really started to draw and get more creative. I was valet parking cars so when there was no business I would stand at my little podium and doodle waves, skulls, fire just the normal surfer doodles. Shortly afterwards I met Al Dove (an accomplished surfboard airbrusher from the 70’s, he is the guy who did the Silver Surfer on MR’s board) and saw his portfolio. Al was a master with the airbrush and what most impressed me was that he did it all freehand. I found an airbrush class at the local community college and it is to date the only formal class I ever finished. I learned a lot of different techniques and love the stuff I could do with the airbrush but after a couple years got sick of all the set up and clean up procedure. It was then I picked up brushes and acrylic paints and started to explore. I messed around with acrylics for awhile and then my friend Robb Havassy told me that collectors would want pieces in oil because the paintings would last so much longer. So I bought some oils and struggled with them for about a year and just got burned out because they were hard for me to work with. At this time I got more involved in other activities and travelling to Central America and art kind of took a standby to life (although I still did some drawing and sign painting on my trips it wasnt a priority). After a break of about a year I got a newfound interest in painting and just started pumping pieces out. Within a months time I had finished about 4 pieces and I was all fired up. My friend Daniel Coleman (an accesories designer in the surf industry and also an artist) told me about Myspace and how it was like having a free website so I started posting my stuff on there. The rest is history. I have been painting pretty seriously for the last couple years and loving it. I am getting into some mural work here in Mexico and will be looking to expand into some graffiti style surf murals in the near future as time provides with my busy schedule. You see I love art but my priority in life in serving the Lord here in the missions field. Art and the sales of my artwork help to support myself and the youth group I work with here in Baja and pay for the occasional surf trip. Well I think that about wraps it up. Thanks for reading about another surf artist who probably likes you loves to surf, paint, and live life. God bless View Jaime Caton Noia's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Heather Brown - Surf Artist  Aloha! My name is Heather Brown and I am a local artist and surfer here on the north shore of Oahu. I have received my Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii. I like to work in various mediums including acrylics, woodcuts, screen prints, intaglio prints, and linocuts. Most of my inspiration comes from my love for the sea, popular surf breaks, and the beauty of the islands.
View Heather Brown's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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George Bates - Surf Art George Bates is a Brooklyn, NY based surfer artist. Images of his surf art have appeared worldwide through BIG magazine’s surfing issue and the book SURF CULTURE: THE ART AND HISTORY OF SURFING published by GInko press. His art has been exhibited at the Laguna Art Museum in California for the SURF CULTURE exhibit and various NYC galleries. View George Bates' Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Frank Errickson - Surf Artist  Hello, I’m Frank Errickson. I’m a young artist and surfer, and I live in New Jersey. I come from a very artistic family. You don’t have to look too far to discover how I initially gained an interest in the arts. My mother was a potter and jewelry artist, and now she is an intensive care nurse who still produces beautiful pieces of jewelry. My father is a woodworker and homebuilder who makes furniture and ukuleles among other things in exotic hardwoods (Hawaiian curly koa being his favorite wood). He helps make many of my windows unique by crafting custom exotic hardwood frames, some with abalone inlay. He also plays acoustic guitar and steel drums along with my older brother Bill (a gifted musician as well). He is a farm manager and educator at D Acres, an organic farm and educational homestead (www.dacres.org) with his fiancée, Lauren. They are involved in promoting sustainable communities and agriculture. At the age of nine my parents bought me some stained glass tools, scrap pieces of glass, and painting supplies. I’ve been working in the two mediums ever since. As can be seen in my art, one of my inspirations for my latest series of works has been the time I have spent in Hawaii. I have been surfing before I was crafting artwork, and my desire to surf different waves and experience different cultures has lead me to spend a lot of time on the north shore of Oahu. When I am there, I just try to absorb all of the beauty of the islands and generosity and respect for the land that the people have so I can bring it back home with me. During one of my last trips there, I stayed in a screen house at the base of a mountain for six weeks. When I was not in the water surfing, I was painting, sketching, and taking photographs of local flora and landscapes to use as reference in my work. I had no modern conveniences or anything, just some books, my art supplies, surfboards, and the wild roosters that would wake me up every morning. These experiences in and out of the water have been a major influence on my work. Even though my memories from Hawaii and other travels might all blend together into one long memory, they keep me inspired even when there’s snow on the ground and the ocean water is thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. Another thing I inherited from my parents, besides the artistic talent, is an understanding of how fortunate we all are compared to others around the world and how important it is to respect people, cultures, and the environment. I’ve been given a gift, while so many others in the world have so little. Whatever money I make in my life, I’d like to see that some good comes from it. I’m not doing this for publicity or to try and get others to see the world as I do, I’m just simply doing what I think is right and I feel everybody accomplishes this in their own different way. My educational background is in political science, environmental studies, and sustainability, and I am now trying to do something in the world that I enjoy in a way that can also benefit other people. For example, I am a member of 1% For the Planet, an organization in which member businesses donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental organizations around the world. I recently donated one of my painting designs to the New Jersey chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. A line of organic cotton t-shirts has been produced and all proceeds from their sale will benefit Surfrider. In addition, I recently purchased a vintage 1980 diesel Mercedes that I plan to convert to run on recycled vegetable oil. The purpose of saying this is not to toot my own horn; I just feel it is important to give causes like this some priority so that others who are interested can get involved. Our life here on this Earth is relatively short. We should do our best with it. As my stained glass windows and paintings continue to gain recognition around the world, I hope my contributions to these causes can become more significant. Aloha!
View Frank Errickson's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Drew Brophy - Surf Artist  Drew Brophy is best known for his surreal surfboard art and bright, colorful paintings. His art is easily recognized by a distinct style of energetic, lively characters, sun & waves. An avid surfer of some of the most challenging surf spots in the world, Drew has created thousands of paintings while traveling the globe. Drew Brophy’s art has been in publication in various forms for over 20 years. Drew’s art is firmly established in the coastal communities worldwide and is very popular among art collectors as well as artists. Drew became known for his beautiful surfboard art and is credited with popularizing the art of surfboard painting with his paint-pen techniques. Drew’s original art pieces are sold to galleries and collectors worldwide, and his client base includes musicians and celebrities. A prolific artist, Drew completes about 100 new art pieces a year. Drew lives a content lifestyle of surfing, traveling and painting colorful, playful images that depict his life. Drew’s mission is to continue to live this lifestyle to the fullest while inspiring others to enjoy the same. View Drew Brophy's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Christina Zepeda - Surf Artist  Christina, born in Pomona, California, believes that her artistic style comes from god, the Summer's in Baja and the small beach town of La Conchita, Ca. Just south of the beautiful Rincon in Ventura County. La Cochita opened her eyes, heart and soul in so many ways. Artistically she grew an inspiration peak and is stoked for life. Her style and approach to her art is definitely unique and beautifully done without any kind of structure. She has the ability to go from traditional to abstract and occasionally mixing the two together for reasons that only she can defne. She has no Art Institute history of any kind, and certainly hasn't been able to get the one on one teaching she has always wanted to experience. All of her art work is simply through trial and error. Her growth as an artist comes from her passion. Passion for our ocean and the art culture. She is truly the definition of "A NATURAL". Inspired by other artists like, Tony Spineto, Aubrey Falk and Robb Havassy who have not only been an inspiration to her, but of a huge motivation in her life as well. Christina has still always focused on her own sytle and learned to pick up on tips as far as vision and heart fornm these and many more artists she has always respectd. Christina never limits herself when it comes to creating, but finds that she sticks to a deep flow in colour and depth. She adds passion, peacefulness and serenity to her brush strokes. You can see in her skies, waves, palms and figure values. She finds herself mesmerized, blessed and inspired through God,her parents, 15 nieces and nephews, close friends.....and the energy of our beautiful ocean. "Life isn't about the breaths we take, it's about the moments that take our breath away....". View Christina Zepeda's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Brett Walker - Surf Artist  At heart, Bret Walker is first and foremost a fine artist, with a diverse style and a love for mixed media. Bret is also a very talented surfer and sought after freelance graphic designer meshing some of his work and play with graphic art positions for two of his sponsors Warner Surfboards and RVCA Clothing in Australia. Bret's surfing and snowboarding background has seen him compete in international events in both disciplines including combination crossover events such as the Quik cup and H20 winter classic. A spine injury resulting in surgery gave him plenty of time to finish his studies and follow his passion for art. Bret studied at a private college for design but was also fortunate to undertake mentorship with a local award winning artist for fine art. After the year of rehab Bret returned to the water and competed in the last few Quiksilver Airshow series surfing contests in Australia. He then gave away competing and took off overseas for a year to focus on fine art and explore free surfing and experiment with equipment. On return to Australia Bret took up an artist residency in the now closed 71 Percent Water Gallery in Cronulla. He was invited to feature in high profile artshow's such as 'Surfers That Art' at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and featuring in group shows around Sydney with artists like Ozzie Wright. Bret’s paintings display diversity but carry a truth indicative of his surfing background. Often presenting and capturing ethereal moments in time experienced amongst the forces of nature. With a new studio space near home and representation with Respondek's hip new Garage Gallery in Bondi, Bret will be working hard this summer releasing limited edition prints and working on new piece’s for selective Australian shows before heading abroad again for exhibitions in Japan and America 2008.
View Brett Walker's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Aubrey Falk - Surf Artist  Aubrey Falk was blessed to grow up in the tiny beachside community of La Conchita. Located just south of California’s’ “Queen of the Coast”, Rincon Point. She grew up in the water, and her being reflects the depth and vision of a life immersed in the elements of the sea. Her natural ability to create art was noticed at a young age, and she held her first art show at age of 16. From there her free spirit took flight and she began traveling the globe, inspired by new cultures and exotic surf destinations. She continues to travel, now with the support of surfing sponsors; Volcom, Channel Islands, Sexwax, Pro-Lite, Beyond Coastal Suncare, and through the sales of her art. Traveling for her has been a way of life and the fuel for her art. She enjoys the challenge of trying to capture the essence of these remarkably beautiful places, and sharing her experiences with others. Being in nature, creating art, surfing, practicing yoga, dancing, and connecting with people and animals, are some of her greatest joys and passions. View Aubrey Falk's Surf Art Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
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Adrian Robert Turner - Surf Artist |
Vince Cavataio - Surf Photographer |
Tony Harrington - Surf Photographer Tony “Harro” Harrington is an adventurer and extreme sports photographer chasing storms around the globe in search of the ultimate surf and snow experiences for over 20 years. His creation of unique projects and stunning photography has produced more than 120 front covers, numerous global awards and stories of travel and adventure from all over the globe. The traveling aussie spends most of his life living from a surfboard or ski bag and is deeply entrenched into the soul reasons of why we surf, in search of “Stoke” of an incredible lifestyle, portraying dreams as reality – as they are if you try hard enough. Mother nature has a timetable of her own, Harro lives on that program, bringing home images and stories that quite simply aspire. View Tony Harrington's Surf Photography Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com | |
Tim McKenna - Surf Photographer
Born in Sydney in 1968, Tim McKenna is a leading figure in action sport photography. He has inspired his generation by revealing the sheer beauty of the element through some of the most spectacular scenes and performances.
Tim McKenna is a nomad at heart that has been travelling the globe for the last 20 years, creating countless covers and stories for over 40 specialized sport publications, mainstream magazines or book collections.
With the rise of the riding sports phenomenon Tim became one of the first cross over photographers to excel in many different terrains. From all the various ocean watersports to pioneering new heli - snowboard and ski destinations like Caucasus, Ouzbekistan or Mongolia, to the inland tracks or deserts for Motocross shoots.
He has also produced many catalogues and advertising campaigns for prestigeuous names like Le Meridien or Intercontinental Hotels, Algothermes, Oxbow, Billabong, Air Tahiti Nui or American Express. His best images can be found in a fine art poster collections and his website is visited by thousands daily.
Although now based on the Island of Tahiti with his family, he still tours the world but has also assigned himself the task to capture the magic of Polynesian Life.
View Tim McKenna's Surf Photography Gallery online at www.boardersplace.com
