Drew Brophy - Surf Lifestyle Artist

Painting Story – PANHE Sacred Land Celebration on Earth Day

Drew — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:11:56 +0000

Last year I painted PANHE to be used for the cover of The San Clemente Times Earth Day edition.

To prepare for the painting, I spent the day at last year’s Panhe Earth Day celebration and learned as much as I could about the history of the area.

PANHE is a beautiful place in San Clemente that was inhabited by the ancient Acjachmen Indians and is estimated to be about 9,500 years old. Me, Maria and Dylan go hiking back there sometimes. There’s an ancient Indian burial ground up on the hill that’s protected by law.

One of the reasons I live in San Clemente is the beautiful natural setting of this San Onofre and Trestles surfing area.

It is the LAST undeveloped, naturally intact coastal area in Southern California. It’s filled with wildlife that you can see while walking down the trails to go surfing.

I’ve seen deer, bobcats, coyotes and giant rattlesnakes on the trails.

Then there’s the sea life: whales, dolphins, sharks, halibut and calico bass. I have yet to see the elusive mountain lion, but I know they’re out there.

I find it extraordinary that as little as a few hundred years ago, this valley and San Mateo Creek was filled with thousands of Indians living off the land, calling this place home.

This beauty is under constant threat of development from outsiders, who do not know or care about its wonders. If we can get enough people to care about the area, we can keep it intact.

The painting is meant to show how special this place is and that it should be preserved for all time. Now, this year the artwork is being used for the PANHE Earth Day Celebration posters and advertising.

THIS SUNDAY, ON EARTH DAY, the San Onofre Foundation will be holding the PANHE Earth Day Celebration at San Mateo Campground.

I’ll be there at noon, signing posters and enjoying the native dancers and story tellers. If you are local, come on by!

Life is Good, Drew

PS: The original painting was sold to a local realtor, who gave it to one of her clients as a gift.

Am I a Success or a Failure in This Complicated World

Drew — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:53:32 +0000

Sometimes I feel like I'm pushing through concrete

I had a conversation with a friend yesterday who has worked in the surf industry for many years. We were discussing business, the economy and life.

He was complimenting me on my great success. This is a man I respect.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I feel like a failure.

The surf industry and the private club that it has become has not been very supportive of me. To some I am just some kook who will not go away.

I make a living despite them because real people and real surfers can see me and they know who I am. I guess in some ways I do feel successful, but not in the terms most people validate themselves.

My career has not brought me great wealth, but has allowed me to pursue my goals and dreams. My life is full of adventure, with great people, a wonderful family, and a freedom few enjoy.

I would love to have more financial stability but not at the cost of what I think is right or just.

Earlier in my career, I quit the two best gigs I ever had in the surf industry; the first tried to tell me I could not create art after work, they held my job over my head trying to try to instill fear in me and the other employees, by using me as an example. I quit on the spot because it was wrong.

I left the second company when it went in a direction I did not approve of, with new people I did not trust or want to work with. That was difficult to quit; I had to leave everything I worked so hard for and start over. My so called friends there thought I was stupid wasting my opportunities and turning down a great pay check.

Many Companies do not want to employ people like me, they want robots, yes-men and paper pushers. That’s just not me and I am not going to change for anyone.

I want to get things done and speak my mind. They want to use me but they do not want me in their club to tell them they have become what all real surfers despise.

It seems I have always been here on the fringe, an outsider, independent. It is a very lonely place sometimes.

I know that I am lucky that enough people outside of the industry, like my art and can see me for who I am, to stand by me.

My wife and I could not have picked a more difficult way to make a living, but we have persevered beyond the surf industry and tried to lead the way for others like us.

We have had to invent new ways to do business as an artist and it has been a benefit to all artists. I have been a professional artist now for over twenty years and we have survived the last few years where many have not. I guess that is success. It has been real people who have supported us over the years, and anyone who has met us in person knows what we are all about.

Our goal is to inspire people, and from reading many of your letters and feedback it has worked. Thank you for allowing me to chase my dreams and feed my family, it is only with your support that we do so.

I want to leave you with this request: Support people and companies who are up to good things. Abandon the false role models and leaders who occupy our world.

Somewhere out there beyond all the greed, advertising, propaganda, and spin is the truth. The world has become so complicated and corrupt that it is broken, from politics to banking to the silly surf industry, and maybe even the business that you’re in.

We are all responsible for what we tolerate, what we buy and what we choose to support.

Wake up! This is your only true power and voice.

I owe my simple career and what my friend calls success to the individuals who decided I was worthwhile and that I was up to good things.

There are many great role models, companies, and leaders out there, they need our support to succeed.

Life is Good,

Drew

Ten Things I Learned in 41 Years on Earth

Drew — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:39:13 +0000

Painting in the Studio Photo (c) David Macomber, Shark Sugar

“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.” ~Samuel Ullman

Today I turned 41.

This time last year I was surfing awesome waves at Pipeline for my fortieth birthday.

Today, I’m celebrating at home.

I wanted to share a few things I’ve discovered throughout my 41 years:

BUSINESS: You have to constantly adapt to the ever-changing world. It seems like about ten years ago everything started changing super fast. Things that we did last year that worked, aren’t working now. Maria and I have to constantly change what we’re doing to adapt.
THE EARTH: Needs more respect. There’s no one thing we can do to respect it more; there has to be a total change in the way we treat the earth.
SURFING: It’s pure joy. I’m going to be like my friend Gary Linden, surfing big waves when I’m in my sixties. Quality over Quantity!
MONEY: Is always coming and going.
GOD: The concept of God is kind of abstract; is there really a man-like being standing “up there”? I think it’s more like a Universal Energy.
HEALTH: Move or Die! (I think there’s company named that) Stay active. Eat less.
ART: It’s just another way to convey an idea. It can be deep and meaningful, making art. I just try to make people happy with it.
FAMILY: Is the best part of life. Makes you feel like you’re not alone.
MARRIAGE: Is better than being single.
HAPPINESS: The happiest part of my day is walking Dylan over the bridge and to his classroom. It’s as simple as that.

What have you learned in your years on Earth? Share in the comments, please.

Life is Good,

Drew

PS: Photo above is by David Macomber, photographer and owner of Shark Sugar, NJ. Please visit his Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/SharkSugarNJ