Author: Drew

18 Sep

Posted at 13:59h in Behind the Scenes... by
22 Likes

patrick gudauskas all the way Dreaming of Winning the Tresetles Contest as a GromoFOR THE NEXT 20 DAYS, I’M CREATING 20 ORIGINAL ART PIECES that reflect my thought process and where my ideas originate from.  I’m painting from the heart, just having fun with it.  You might love ’em, you might hate ’em, but either way, I hope they invoke a feeling for you.

(If you share my posts, please tag  #20×20 #drewbrophy #SurfArt)

Today’s Painting is the Second of 20, titled DREAMING OF WINNING AT TRESTLES 11 x 14 on Canvas Board, Uni Posca Paint Pens.

This is pro surfer Patrick Gudauskas, dreaming of winning at Trestles as a grom!

This painting was inspired by Patrick’s surfing in the Hurley Pro yesterday, where he beat Kelly Slater.   Spectators on the beach cheered him on.

Today Patrick competed against Taj Burrows and didn’t win but he qualified to surf in all the other WCT events.  Watch out for Patrick Gudauskas blowing up in the next three events!

Patrick is a San Clemente local and one of the three frothing, eternal grommets, the Gudauskas brothers.  I’m stoked to have such a great ambassador representing San Clemente on the World Tour.

Riding my bike down to the Hurley Pro to paint for the day!

Riding my bike down to the Hurley Pro to paint for the day!

Life is Good,  Drew

DREAMING OF WINNING TRESTLES is for sale SOLD!  The first person TO email info@drewbrophy.com gets it.

It won’t last long – these paintings sell quick after posting;

if you miss it and you want to buy the next #20×20 painting, email info @ drew brophy dot com and we will put you in line for the next one.

17 Sep

Posted at 15:04h in 20 x 20, Behind the Scenes... by
36 Likes
Kolohes Air painting by Drew Brophy Sept 2013 at Hurley Pro Lowers Trestles Contest

KOLOHE’S AIR 11″ x 14″ on Canvas Board

FOR THE NEXT 20 DAYS, I’M CREATING 20 ORIGINAL ART PIECES that reflect my thought process and where my ideas originate from.  I’m painting from the heart, just having fun with it.  You might love ’em, you might hate ’em, but either way, I hope they invoke a feeling for you.

(If you share my posts, please tag  #20×20 #drewbrophy #SurfArt)

Today’s Painting is the First of 20, titled KOLOHE’S AIR 11 x 14 on Canvas Board, Uni Posca Paint Pens.

This morning I wanted to sit and paint on the beach as I watched the Hurley Pro Surfing contest at Lower Trestles.

I was so inspired by Kolohe Andino’s air, as he surfed against Taj Burrows, that I had to paint it!

When Kolohe was only 2 years old and I was working at the old …Lost shop in San Clemente, his dad Dino brought him in to check out the surfboard factory.

Painting on the Beach at Hurley Pro, Trestles

Painting on the Beach at Hurley Pro, Trestles

I dipped young Kolohe’s feet in blue tempera paint and let him walk on his dad’s Lost surfboard, decorating the deck.  It looked cool.  But,  I think his mom got mad that I got paint all over her baby!

Now, many years later, I proudly watch this local San Clemente kid tearing it up on the ASP World Tour.

Kolohe didn’t win his heat this morning, but, his air was sick.

Hope you enjoy it!

Life is Good,  Drew

KOLOHE’S AIR is SOLD!   If you want the next painting, email info @ drew brophy dot com.

 

 

30 Jul

Posted at 08:45h in Behind the Scenes..., Shows & Events, Wheres Drew by
22 Likes

ORSHOW Flyer Drew Brophy Riviera PaddlesurfOn Thursday, August 1st, I’ll be in the Riviera PaddleSurf Booth at Outdoor Retailer, painting paddles and Standup Paddleboards using Uni Posca Paint Pens.

I’ll be talking story about my adventures, searching for big waves and gnarly rivers to SUP.

When I’m not painting, I’ll be spending time visiting my sponsors, such as Keen Footwear, at the show.

See a few examples of paddles I painted for Riviera in the past, below.

Come see me, if you’re there!  (And if you’re not able to be there, follow the pictures as they are posted, on my Facebook Page, here.)

Riviera Paddles Painted by Drew BrophyDrew Brophy Riviera Paddles Painted

 

file://localhost/Users/drew/Desktop/Riviera%20Paddles%20Painted%20by%20Drew%20Brophy.jpg

29 Jul

Posted at 08:31h in Behind the Scenes..., CASE STUDY, Live Event Painting, Painting Story, Shows & Events, Tips & How To by
50 Likes

Vintage VW Bus Painting Drew Brophy for Verizon FiOS So Cal US Open Huntington Beach

“We worked with Drew to transform our VW Bus into a work of art that celebrated the SoCal lifestyle.  It was great and effortless working with Drew and Maria. They had very little time to plan and design, yet the final result was more than what we could have asked for.  Anyone who walked past our VW bus as Drew was painting it, couldn’t help themselves from stopping and observing.   He was extremely personable and engaging, often inviting children to help with paint.”  Bryan Babiartz, Art Director, Marketing Werks

CASE STUDY:  Verizon FiOS at U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach

WHEN:  August 2013

CLIENT:  Marketing Werks (on behalf of Verizon)

MISSION:  Connect Verizon FiOS with youth and Southern California community by painting a vintage VW Bus in two days, LIVE, during the famous and busy U.S. Open of Surfing event in Huntington Beach, CA.

SCOPE OF WORK:  Strategize an art design that would illustrate the Southern California action sports lifestyle.  Paint the design live, during the busiest event of Huntington Beach each year, onto a 1965 VW Bus.

Paint a surfboard that will be given away to one lucky winner.  Give Drew Brophy surf art posters and stickers to the crowd.

Create a vortex of energy to attract people to the Verizon booths to sign up to win prizes and get more information on the product.

DETAILS:  I was tasked with transforming a vintage VW Bus with spray paint and airbrush, in about 12 hours, during the Vans U.S. Open of Surf.

We gave away posters and stickers of my art, and the Verizon So Cal team held drawings daily, giving away surfboards and tablets and other great stuff.

ABOUT THE VAN and THE PAINTING OF IT:  The Verizon FiOS So Cal team drives this VW all over Southern California; the bus has been outfitted with FiOS internet and tv capability, along with 42″ HDTV.  Now, with the custom painting, this van will never be missed driving down the freeway! (For more info, see Press Release)

I painted the van in two days, 6 hours each side.  A lot of people ask how it can be done so fast, so I thought I’d share my process:

PLANNING:  Is the first step.  I work with the shape of the van and the most important thing to me is composition.  I’ve painted dozens of vans, and often I’ll have it in my head what I’m going to paint and just show up and start spraying.  But for this one, I wanted to knock it out of the park for Verizon, so I spent a lot of time sketching out ideas and then getting their feedback.

PREPARATION:  I show up with everything I need – more then enough paint and an arsenal of tricks.

MEDIUM:  Spray paint is the most efficient way to get all the color on.  Most of the painting is done using Mtn 94 Spray paints – they are the best.  I only use quality paints and materials.

MAPPING IT OUT:  I start with the background and build up to the foreground, using spray paint first.  I spray on rough lines to use as my “map” of the layout.  Then, I fill in all color.

DETAIL:  Then I start detailing it.  I finish with airbrush and stencils, and finally, highlights that make the painting “pop”.

WATCH THE VIDEO on YOUTUBE:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6dKtlLKhRM

I had a great time, it was a fun event, working with great people (thanks Verizon So Cal and Marketing Werks!) and it was rewarding to see this painting go from conception to reality.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

 

drew brophy vw bus van painting verizon socal fios vans us open day 2

 

 

 

24 Jul

Posted at 08:56h in Live Event Painting, Wheres Drew by
28 Likes

Verizon FiOS VW Van Painting Drew brophy Day 2WHAT:  Live painting of a Verizon fiOS Vintage 1965 VW Bus at the U.S. Open!  We are giving away stickers and surfboard posters daily.

WHEN:  Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE:  ACROSS FROM THE US OPEN OF SURF, ON THE STRAND at 155 Fifth Street, Huntington Beach, CA (just across from Forever 21)

I’ll be painting a Volkswagon Van, LIVE, during the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach this weekend!

The Verizon FiOS SoCal campaign wants to influence SoCal residents to conquer their creativity.  They have transformed a 1965 Vintage Volkswagen van into a mobile entertainment experience, custom-fitted with FiOS Internet and FiOS TV capability, along with 42-inch HDTVs.  (Read the Press Release here)

And I’ll be spray painting it, LIVE, during the event – across from the Vans US Open, on the Strand, between Fifth Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway.

Using my favorite graffiti-style spray paint, MTN 94, and airbrush, I’ll customize the van, and you can watch, on Friday, July 26th and Saturday, July 27th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily.  (Go to my Facebook Page here to see sketches and the progress as it’s being painted)

You’ll also get a chance to win a Lost surfboard, custom painted by me.

FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION:  Stay tuned to what’s happening, the progress of the van painting and the giveaways – follow these channels:

INSTAGRAM:  @DrewBrophy and @FiOSSoCal

TWITTER:  @DrewBrophy and @VerizonCA 

FACEBOOK:  DrewBrophyArt  and VerizonCA

HASHTAGS:  #DrewBrophy #VerizonSoCal #VansUSOpen #FiOSSoCal #SurfArt

Concept Sketches

Concept Sketches

I’ve painted over 50 vans these past few years, including my own.

If you ever wanted to watch how it’s done, this is your chance.  I’m excited to show people how, in one day, with a few cans of spray paint, you can create a masterpiece on the side of a van!

BONUS:  Verizon is giving away some cool stuff during the time I’ll be painting.  Surfboard posters and stickers.

WILL I SEE YOU THERE?!   If so, RSVP on Facebook  or let me know in the comments, below.

Life is good,

Drew

PS:  Verizon FiOS SoCal has an ongoing giveaway that’s just awesome – you can enter to win a custom Surfboard, Skateboard and Bike!  They are giving away one A WEEK between now and the end of August.  Enter here:  http://fiossocal.com/#area-design

 

 

 

15 Jul

Posted at 05:42h in Behind the Scenes..., Press by
27 Likes

Drew Brophy SUP Magazine Interview in print spring 2013Talk about your Grand Canyon trip:  “That was pretty much like, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna learn to surf so I’ll paddle out at Pipeline.’  I was real naive.”

I was stoked to be interviewed by Will Taylor for SUP Magazine.  

My friend, photographer Jason Kenworthy, took the shot in my studio.   

(Note about the painting on the Standup Paddleboard in the photo:  it was commissioned by KEEN FOOTWEAR, and was inspired by my Standup journey across country last year – you can read about that here:  Adventures in America’s Back Country. )

In the interview I talk about how New Zealanders were friendly when they saw me SUP Surfing Raglan, my 225 mile SUP journey down the Colorado River, and how SUPPING saved me from small waves.

Here’s a short taste of the interview (to read the entire thing, check out the magazine):

HOW DID SUP FIND YOU?  I was in my late thirties and I couldn’t get motivated to surf all the time if the conditions were bad or there were no waves.   When the waves are small, I’m moody, and Ron House was like, “Why don’t you come standup?”  Immediately it was tremendous.  It gave me something to do when I couldn’t surf.

SO YOU WERE THERE AT THE START.  …Imagine in those early days, there’s nobody around, just Ron and I and a couple other guys.  You’re just riding these waves forever and you’re not even getting wet.  It just expanded my repertoire of surfing.

WHAT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HAVE GROWN OUT OF IT?  It has allowed me to get into other bodies of water, whether it be rivers or lakes.  I’m a water person…..

TALK ABOUT YOUR GRAND CANYON TRIP.  That was pretty much like, “Yeah, I’m gonna learn to surf so I’ll paddle out at Pipeline.”  I was real naive.

At that point we’d only heard of a few guys that had been on the Colorado with standup boards but they all only did pieces of it.  Nobody had done it all the way.

We did 225 miles, every bit of it.  It was super-humbling experience for me.  I saw some of the gnarliest, scariest things I’ve ever seen.  But we surfed the river, man.  Big laterals coming off and you bank off of them and come down and hit these pits and come up out of it and into the next one.

Art is my job but surfing is my passion. It’s a great magazine, please check it out online here: http://www.supthemag.com/

Life is Good,

Drew

 

11 Jul

Posted at 17:48h in Behind the Scenes..., Shows & Events by
18 Likes
Kids drew paddleboard designs using Sharpie Brush Tips and Neon markers

Kids drew paddleboard designs using Sharpie Brush Tips and Neon markers

With help from generous sponsors, we hosted a KIDS ART GROTTO at Race the Lake of the Sky Standup Paddle event in South Lake Tahoe last week.

The original idea was to generate artistic activities for the kids during the two day event.

Over 200 kids drew, painted and designed their own paddleboards!

But this turned out to be so much more then an art activity!

On the last day, Riviera Paddlesurf decided to give prizes to three kids for the best “Paint your own Riviera Paddlesurfboard” artwork, and give one CUSTOM RIVIERA PADDLEBOARD to the grand prize winner!

At events like this , I always end up painting something, live, for someone.   This draws a crowd and inspires

Painted for this stoked standup paddler

Painted for this stoked standup paddler

others to want to create, as well.  By having a booth with supplies where inspired kids can join in, it was a perfect combination.

Every kid that joined in the Art Grotto Booth was informed that they can design their very own Riviera Paddleboard.  There were no rules; just “Make it Look Cool!”

(You can download the “TEMPLATE Design your Riviera Paddleboard with Drew Brophy PRINTOUT here)

Over 100 pieces of art hung on this tent!

Over 100 pieces of art hung on this tent!

When each little artist finished their piece, they got a free “Drew Brophy Art Stickers” and I taped their design on the tent.  By the end of the event, the entire tent was covered with art.

I painted paddles as special awards for the athletes and Maria’s Riviera Cruiser, while the kids painted on every bit of supplies that we brought!  It was great to witness the creativity that spills out of these children.

At the end, I was asked to choose the three best Riviera paddleboard designs.

Three young artists clearly stood out; the one thing they all had in common is that they were in my booth, painting, the entire weekend!  They obviously have the skills and the passion to be great artists.

Everyone wanted to try out the Uni Posca paint pens!

Everyone wanted to try out the Uni Posca paint pens!

The winners were Georgia, GiGi and Ronen.  Each one received a Sunrise print, signed by me, and a full set of Uni Posca paint pens.

Only one of the three winners would get the grand prize:  A custom Riviera Paddlesurfboard with their own design painted on it!

And that winner was Georgia, a young girl visiting Tahoe from Florida.

When Georgia’s name was called as the grand prize winner, she jumped up and down and screamed!

 

Georgia, the young winner of a Riviera Custom Paddleboard, with the Riviera Crew!

Georgia, the young winner of a Riviera Custom Paddleboard, with the Riviera Crew!

We are grateful to the Sponsors who helped make this happen:

  • Uni Posca for providing the paint pens and funds for additional supplies;
  • Sharpie for sending packs of Sharpie Brush Tips and their new NEON fine point pens;
  • Riviera Paddlesurf, for providing the “Paint your own Riviera Paddlesurf Board” materials and the grand prize
  • South Lake Tahoe Standup Paddle Surf shop, for providing the 10×20 booth, table and chairs!
  • Fredrix Canvas for providing canvas cut-outs for the kids to paint on
  • ROXO, for sending us bracelets with “Drew Brophy art rocks” to give out to the kids (and adults).  Everyone loved them!
  • And, to my wife Maria, who worked without a break for 8 hours each day, running the booth, getting the sponsors involved and organizing the entire thing.
Kids going bonkers over the ROXO wrist bands!

Kids going bonkers over the ROXO wrist bands!

Together, we made a lot of kids happy that weekend!

Life is Good,  Drew

29 May

Posted at 13:45h in Behind the Scenes..., Painting Story by
24 Likes
Maiden of Lake Jocassee

Maiden of Lake Jocassee

During the 1700’s, there was a thriving Cherokee nation that lived in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains which is located in the upstate of South Carolina.  Little did a Cherokee maiden in that time era, named Jocassee, know that her name would become a legend. 

Last year Maria and I gave an Experiential Workshop at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

It was warm and sunny in the Appalachian Mountains outside of Greenville, so we took a day to drive out to Lake Jocassee, a must-see if you are near the area!

Lake Jocassee is situated in the foothills of the Appalachians, surrounded by forests.

The water was crystal clear with miles of nooks and crannies to explore.

Maria at Lake Jocassee with Riviera Standup Paddleboard

Maria at Lake Jocassee with Riviera Standup Paddleboard

The lake was perfect for standup paddleboards, and the water was still warm the second week of October.

It was peaceful and picturesque.  There are many mountain trails around the lake and waterfalls around the area.

After a great day of paddling and exploring the lake, we met Debbie, owner of Eclectic Sun Paddlesports.  She loved our painted van and seven months later, Debbie commissioned me to create artwork for her company logo.

It’s funny how taking a vacation always gets me new business!

The Design:

When I create a new piece of art, it’s important to me to capture something that’s real about the subject.

When I researched the history of the Lake, I found hand-drawn pictures of Native Americans standup-paddling their canoes.  Maybe they were the first standup paddlers!  I imagine this place was very special to them.

The lake is named after a maiden Cherokee named Jocassee.  Legend has it that a broken-hearted Jocassee walked on the water to greet the ghost of her beloved, who had been murdered.  Her name has come to be known as “The Place of the Lost one.”

So it seemed fitting to paint my version of the beautiful maiden Jocassee “walking on water” using a standup paddleboard, across the lake.

The painting was created with paint pens on canvas board, sized 12″ x 18″.  Eclectic Sun bought the original painting.

Below you can see pictures of the different uses of the artwork for Eclectic Sun.  If you ever find yourself at Lake Jocassee, stop in and see Debbie and tell her hello for me!

Life is Good – Drew
Eclectic-Sun-art- by Drew Brophy Lake Jocassee May 2013

ECLECTIC-SUN-CIRCLE-LOGO tees shirst design by Drew Brophy Lake Jocassee

09 May

Posted at 12:45h in Adventure, Behind the Scenes..., Painting Story by
48 Likes

Drew Brophy and painted Riviera Paddleboards for KEEN photo by Larry Beard April 2013

“All of my paintings depict real life experiences that I have.  When I paint from my own memory, that’s when the art shows vibrant energy and life, because it’s real.”

I never travel without standup paddleboards, even when I fly overseas.  

They allow me access to get up close and personal to wildlife and water caves and nature. 

Standup Paddleboards have made my life, and my family’s experiences, so much richer.

Last year, my family and I took four Riviera Paddlesurf boards with us on a five month exploration across America.

We paddled lakes and rivers and hiked and camped in the vast back country of America.

Two of those paddleboards became one of the most fun painting projects I got to work on this year.

When David, at Keen Footwear, asked for something special for the entrance to their building in Portland Oregon, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Keen is all about living the Hybrid Life and the great outdoors, and most everything in their building is made from recycled materials.

So I thought that it would be perfect to “upcycle” and paint on two of the paddleboards that we had so many adventures on.

Keen has been a long time supporter of my adventures, and I’m stoked to have been one of their very first ambassadors.  Keen water shoes, hiking boots and gorge boots go everywhere with us in our van, because, well, you never know when you’ll need them.

Lake Superior!

Lake Superior!

These paintings are on 12′ paddleboards, the biggest boards I can remember painting.  I used Uni Posca Paint Pens and sealed it with Krylon Spray.  It took me a few weeks from start to finish.

I loved painting my travel memories on these boards; it didn’t feel like work to me at all.

All of my paintings depict real life experiences that I have.  When I paint from my own memory, that’s when the art shows vibrant energy and life, because it’s real.

This project for Keen was no exception.

Each of these two paintings tells a story of adventures that we lived, and I think that’s what made painting them so enjoyable.

It was as though I was reliving those moments of adventure all over again.

PADDLEBOARD PAINTING #1:  THE GREAT NORTHWEST

This painting shows some of the wildlife my family and I saw on our five month trip across America last year.

The Trout:  In Redfish Lake, Idaho, I was catching trout off of the paddleboard.  It was funny; there were a few guys out there in a nice fishing boat, with all new equipment, and here I paddled out with my son’s fishing rod and a red bucket, and I was catching all the fish!

The Bear:  While in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, we saw a bear walking on the ridge not far from where we were parked.  The kids were excited to see a bear in the wild, and I was glad it was far enough away!

The River:  I took my inflatable Riviera Paddleboard down the Salmon River in Idaho for 11 miles.  Along the way, being the only human in the water, I saw elk and deer and eagles.  It was amazing.

Keen Paddleboards in their office

Exploring Lake Jocassee, Appalachian Mtns South Carolina

Exploring Lake Jocassee, Appalachian Mtns South Carolina

PADDLEBOARD PAINTING #2:  NELSCOTT REEF

This winter I finally got to surf giant waves at Nelscott Reef in Oregon.  This painting shows the giant kelp you see out there, the big fish and of course a small surfer in a huge wave!

I wrote a post all about the Nelscott Reef Adventure, you can read it here:  Mission to Surf Nelscott Reef – Big Waves in Oregon.

You can visit these paddleboard paintings in person – just go visit the Keen Garage in Portland Oregon.  (Click the link to see a short video of their really cool store.)

It’s a cool building and worth your visit.

You might want to pick up a few killer pairs of Keen’s new, lightweight CNX shoes while you’re there.

GET OUT THERE AND HAVE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!

Everyone should plan an adventure.  Do it  this summer.  Don’t wait until you’re too old to enjoy the rivers and lakes and oceans and mountains and whatever else makes you happy.

I hope these paintings and sharing my experiences will inspire some people to go enjoy life, now.  Because now is really all we have.

Life is Good,

Drew

29 Mar

Posted at 07:00h in Behind the Scenes..., Licensing Story by
28 Likes

Soul Surf Check by Drew Brophy Check AdvantageIf you’re going to write checks, they might as well be cool ones, right?

Apparently, people are still writing checks.  Check Advantage, the maker of check books and address labels, has grown greatly every year during this down economy.

They called and wanted to do a licensing deal for checks and address labels.  Maria was stoked, because she always wanted to see my art on checks.

Knowing that 80% of the people buying checks are women, I put together a few collections with that in mind; happy suns, bugs and hearts.  Happy Smiles Check by Drew Brophy Smiling Sunflowers

But my favorite is, of course, the Soul Surfer checks, which features my classic surf art.

The checks and checkbooks and address labels turned out great – I’m really happy with it.  Maria just ordered our first set of Drew Brophy checks – the Happy Smiles Checks.  (Next time I’ll do the ordering – Soul Surf for me).

If you’re ready for some eye-popping artwork on your checks and checkbook cover and address labels, check out all of my check collections.Smile Style bugs art by Drew Brophy Check Advantage

You can see all of the designs here on the Check Advantage Drew Brophy Page.  Let me know what you think!

Life is good,

Drew