Mtn94 Tag

Drew Brophy and the WD Fan Night Mural Painting CES2014“I always wanted my father to be proud of my work.  It felt good being back at home, after all these years, and having him watch me do what I do for a living.  This painting was the last one my father got to see me create.”  Drew Brophy

In December, Western Digital (WD) asked me to paint a mural to put on display at their big party, the WDFanNight event in Las Vegas during CES2014.

At the time, I didn’t realize just how special the memory of creating this painting would become for me.

I was on an extended stay at my parents’ home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  My father was very sick, and Maria and I were helping my mom take care of him.  We brought our work with us across country, and I transformed my parents’ garage into my working studio and went to work!

I built five canvas frames, each one 6′ x 2′, designed that way so the mural would be easy to transport.

This was painted with a variety of mediums; first the background, using Mtn94 Spray Paint.  Then acrylic paints, applied with brushes, to get greater texture.  Then I used airbrush and Uni Posca Paint pens for the finer details.

WD wanted a surf painting in my traditional style, with symbolism that was relevant to their products, which is hard drives.  Hard drives hold things that you want to keep forever.  When I think of things that last forever, I think of ancient times and things that were made in stone.  In a way, hard drives hold information that is saved and passed down.  All of my art is saved on hard drives; it’s like my safety deposit box.  The art will be passed down to my son, and his kids as well.  So in this painting, the character is carving a WD in stone.

One of the best photographers in the area, Scott Smallin, came by every day during the painting of this mural to capture the progress on video and pictures.  Scott became a good friend and someone to lean on, as the days went on and my father got sicker.

I always wanted my father to be proud of my work.  It felt good being back at home, after all these years, and having him watch me do what I do for a living.  This painting was the last one my father got to see me create.

Here’s the video of me painting the mural.  Photo and video credit to Scott Smallin, video editing by Don Perry, music by Brian ILL:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmgbsE_3P10&feature=share&list=UU5G4tVJHYkrSpTsA2tR-qeg

 

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