gerry lopez Tag

Battle of the Paddle Painting by Drew Brophy 16 x 20 Sept 2013 20x20 SeriesFOR THE NEXT 20 DAYS, I’M CREATING 20 ORIGINAL ART PIECES that reflect my thought process and where my ideas originate from.    TODAY IS DAY 12!

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 #20Pieces20Days)

Today’s Painting is #12 of 20 in this #20×20 Series, titled THE BATTLE OF THE PADDLE,  16″ x 2o” on Canvas Board, medium Uni Poscas Paint Pens.

The “Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle” is the biggest standup paddle race in the world, held at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.  The event brings together so many great athletes and people who are stoked on the sport.

The first one was held in 2008, and I was commissioned by Rainbow Sandals to create the artwork for the poster, t-shirts and signage.

In 2009 Rainbow Sandals hired me to paint a Mural, live, onsite during the event.

I decided to paint this at the Battle of the Paddle event, right on the beach.

I can remember many years ago when I was first introduced to Standup paddleboarding, when Laird Hamilton brought it from Hawaii, I had visions of ancient Hawaiian warriors marauding each other’s islands.

Painting at the Battle of the Paddle Sept 2013 Drew Brophy in Dana Point

Painting onsite at Battle of the Paddle, for Inspiration

Their paddles doubled as weapons and after spending time surfing and exploring in Hawaii and Tahiti, I have come to understand the violent nature of these warriors and how they liked to hack the heads off of their adversaries.  It brings a whole new meaning to the “battle of the paddle”!   It makes me think that this event is way too civilized.

This painting is gnarly.  I think I’m going to make a t-shirt with the art!

Hope you like it,

Drew

 

This painting sold to Cathy P. in Ohio.  She’s been following my #20×20 Series from the beginning.  Thanks, Cathy, for your encouragement and support!

If you wanted this one but missed it, and you want to consider the next #20×20 painting, email info @ drew brophy dot com and we will put you on the “#20X20 PAINTING PREVIEW” list, in line for the next one.

WHEN EMAILING to BUY ANY OF MY ART, or to Commission me to paint one special, just for you:  email info @ drew brophy dot com with your  phone# and shipping address.

 

 

 

PERCESSION 2012 painted by Drew Brophy, Uni Posca Paint Pens on 7’4″single fin retro 1970’s Surfboard shaped by Ron House.  POST UPDATE:  THIS BOARD is SOLD!  A portion of proceeds went to SurfAid’s Board Art Benefit.

(But, you can order your own Custom Surfboard Painting, click HERE for pricing and order form.)

There are 3 things that make this surfboard painting special:

1 – I’ve painted thousands of surfboards.  But this is the first where I’ve painted both sides and wrapped the painting around the rails;

2 – The proceeds are going to SurfAid’s Board Art Benefit and will provide food and water to the people of the beautiful Mentawai Islands, a surfing paradise;

3 – The theme speaks to the end of the Mayan Calendar in 2012 and what it could mean.

THE INSPIRATION:  I’ve always been fascinated by the stories of ancient civilizations.  Most people don’t know this about me, but I’m an amateur historian.  I can tell you about the history of just about any civilization with accuracy.

But I’ve never really painted these subjects until now.

The Percession painting was sparked during a recent trip to Puerto Escondido Mexico where I flew over the Ancient Aztec Pyramids at Teotihuacan in Mexico City.

A man that I met on my flight filled my head with crazy legends of the pyramids.  His stories inspired me to want to go there and stand on the top of the pyramid of the sun.

While surfing killer waves in Puerto a local there told me more stories of ruins in the jungle just outside of town.

He spoke of how the Zapotec Indians ruled the Pacific coast and built massive cities in the area around Puerto and Oaxaca.

When they put the road into Puerto Escondido they discovered a massive sculpture of the head of Quetzalcoatl, the god of the underworld.

The sculpture was so large they could not even move it. The road would have to go around it.

The Indians there believe an awakening is coming in 2012.  One man told me about strange lights he had witnessed in a valley, balls of light of different sizes and colors emanating from the horizon at super fast speeds for over a half hour, all of this sent my head spinning as I charged giant tubes.

Who were these people and where did they go?  With it being 2012 and all I could not help but let these ideas spill out onto my painting.

THE PAINTING:  The Pecession 2012 painting depicts the center of a crumbling Mayan Calendar being overtaken by the roots of the Tree of Life.  A golden snake spirals from the sky, wrapping around the surfboard. This marks the end of days and the return of Quetzalcoatl.

The pyramid on the bottom of the board represents a re-awakening of ancient knowledge.

The waves on the top and bottom of the board represent stories of the great flood and Mother Nature’s ability to reclaim the planet.

The balls of energy emanating from the calendar are spheres of light, essentially energy, our life force.

In the final days you will either be doomed to start over, or be transformed with this awakened knowledge. It begs for an answer to a question:

How have you lived your life?

Drew

*For insight on my history of painting surfboards, please Read “What makes a surfboard special – why you should buy this board” on the Board Art Benefit Blog.

This surfboard was painted for the SurfAid’s Board Art Benefit in Solana Beach, CA.  Other artists and shapers include legend Gerry Lopez and artists Phil Roberts, Spencer Reynolds, Matt Beard, Rick Rietveld, Eric Abel, and so many more great surf artists.

UPDATE ON 3-26-2012:  This surfboard painting was purchased March 2012 by collector Greg P. of Leucadia, California.

 

 

Rock Solid and focused - Chuck Patterson racing to the finish line!

Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle – The most exciting Stand Up Paddle Race in history!

  • Chuck Patterson won the Elite Race – he was a madman fighting against some of the best stand up paddleboarders in the world, and a gusting, strong wind – he won the first place prize of $10,000!
  • Later, a party and awards ceremony at the Surfing Heritage Foundation made for a great celebration.
  • For more information on the Battle of the Paddle go to rainbowsandals.com/BattleOfThePaddle

Check out the photos & interviews here: (more…)