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Westside Artwalk Ventura :: July 23-24 :: I'm Live Painting!

 This weekend is the first Westside Artwalk for Ventura!  I was invited to come do some live painting down at the Art Museum of Ventura County.  I'll be outside in the courtyard working on my Fish Outta Water Project on Saturday 1-7 and Sunday 12-5.  Come stop by and bring me cold beer. 

Addmission to the museum is FREE both days and Saturday night from 7-9pm there will be live music and a wine/beer bar.  There's a ton of art happenings going on this weekend so come support the artists of Ventura!

Visit www.westsideartwalk.org for more info.

Art Show: Summer Aloha Reception, July 8th, Kauai

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WHAT: Hawaiian Salt, Summer Aloha Reception

"Please join us for our Summer Artist Reception on the beautiful south shore of Kaua'i.  Hawaiian Salt is an artist collective featuring one of a kind t-shirts and apparel, hand printed in small batches, locally designed and produced jewelry by some of Hawaii's finest jewelry artisans; and fine art featuring the amazing surf and ocean inspired art of Wade Koniakowsky, Troy Carney, Glenn Gavett, Erik Abel, Drew Brophy, Ron Croci and David Pu'u."

WHERE: Hawaiian Salt, Kukui'ula Village, 2829 Ala kalanilaumaka St, Kauai, HI. 

WHEN: Artist Reception, Friday, July 8th, 5-9pm.  Pupus, live music and an hourly raffle with proceeds going to support the arts program at Koloa Elementary School.

Here's a peek at the new work that just shipped off to the show.  5 new originals with a colorful wave style I've been playing with as well as 2 new, 10"x8" digital prints on card stock, hand signed, in several different color ways, 25 of each design.  Contact the gallery if you are interested in any of these pieces.  Phone: 808.742.6030

“Sun Lines” $350   Acrylic & mixed media on wood, rounded corners, black edges
   12"x21"  
   Erik Abel, 2011

“Swell Angle 1” $350
   Acrylic & mixed media on wood, rounded corners, black edges
   10"x28"  
   Erik Abel, 2011

“Swell Angle 2” $125
   Acrylic & mixed media on wood, rounded corners, black edges
   7.5"x7.5"  
   Erik Abel, 2011

“Swell Angle 2” $125
   Acrylic & mixed media on wood, rounded corners, black edges
   7.5"x7.5"  
   Erik Abel, 2011

“Swell Angle 2” $125
   Acrylic & mixed media on wood, rounded corners, black edges
   7.5"x7.5"  
   Erik Abel, 2011

Various Digital Prints, hand signed, 10"x8"
All $10 Each, Fits any standard 8x10 frame.

Print detail

Art Show: Splash! Opening Reception Friday, July 1st

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This is gonna be a good one...  Lots of oceany paintings, sculptures and surfboards.  I've got a brand spankin' new piece in the show that I'm pretty fond of... don't really want to let it go, but if you want it, you can have it I guess.  I also got to paint up a tasty little 5'8" White Diamond from local surfboard shaping wizard Robert Weiner (2011 Shaper of the Year).  Haven't painted a surfboard in quite some time, and this one came out pretty rad! They'll both be on display at the Museum of Ventura County from July 2nd - September 18 2011 along with a ton of other art from local arteeests.

Opening Reception is this Friday, July 1st 5:30-8:30pm.  It's $5 to come hang out and it all goes to the museum.  It's also First Friday Artwalk in Ventura, so get outside, drink and be merry... and stop by the show to say Hi.

"Splash!"
Museum of Ventura County
100 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001

 "Summer Swell Angle" and "Rock Walk"

Words of Wisdom:

"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle."  -Abraham Lincoln

Ventura Surf Brewery Opening

If you're in the Ventura area this week/weekend, be sure to stop by the new Ventura's Surf Brewery for their Grand Opening.  They've got some deliciousness on tap!  A few local artists and myself have a few paintings hanging around the place.

Here's the details...

 

Maui & Sons Graphics

 

Last summer, iconic surf brand Maui and Sons contacted me about doing some graphics for an upcoming line, here's the results...

The Fish Outta Water Project

 

An idea has been brewing in my head for awhile, but I didn't quite have the right vision for how the fish needed to look or how they were going to be made.  I attempted a few "Fish Outta Water" pieces years ago but they just didn't cut it.  The lack of vision also had something to do with me being a Fish Outta Water myself.

 

It took a trip to the Sydney Art Museum to inspire a flurry of sketches and ideas that eventually turned into the fish you see above.  I walked into a room full of Aboriginal art that stopped me in my tracks.  Couldn't take my eyes off these giant, painted wood carvings that towered in the center of the room.  There were about 25 of them, big, tall vertical things carved out of round timbers.  Completely abstract. I was staring in awe.  I wanted to take them all home with me. The entire rest of my trip in OZ I filled pages and pages with sketches inspird by these carved wood shapes.  It wasn't until I got back home and got back into the art groove that these sketches started to make sense.  Fish started to emerge from the designs I was making and then it all started to come together, as it usually does after getting a hefty dose of inspiration.  I finally got around to creating some of the first fish and am loving them.  Cutting out, sanding and designing the surfboard-esque shapes has a satisfaction all in it's own.  Lot's to explore here, it will be interesting to see where these go.

These fish, along with dozens, maybe even hundreds of others, will be made out of found/reclaimed wood and placed around the Ventura area and beyond over the next few months. Hillsides, beaches, parks, rooftops, hanging from trees... all sorts of random locations.

The premise of The Fish Outta Water Project is that most people eventually wake up and find themselves in situations that are totally uncharacteristic of who they truly are and where they would rather be in life.  Just as a fish out of the water is out of place, people are often out of place in their lives.  We've all been there.  Those times when you do things that are not "you" or working that job that doesn't offer any stimulation besides the piece of paper you get at the end of the week with that little dollar sign on it next to your name.  Getting stuck in a rut/situation without seeing a way to get out of it.  Fish need water to be alive.  People need passion to be alive.  Any passion.  Something to lose sleep over, something that puts a smile on your face when you open your eyes in the morning.  The Fish Outta Water Project is ultimately a reminder to never stop searching for that drive and passion in life.  A reminder that we are supposed to enjoy this ride.  If we aren't continuously working towards the goal of being able to do exactly what we want to do in life, then what's the point?  The only way to fail is to give up on the dreams.

So if you find one of my Fish Outta Water, and you want it, take it.  It's yours on the condition I get an email with who you are what what you're passionate about.

It took a few years of wandering the earth and sea for me to gain a clearer vision of who I am and what I want in life.  The marine layer continues to clear the farther I go in the right direction... or what I feel is the right direction.  As a Fish Outta Water, I feel like I've finally made it back to the waters edge, my fins can feel the wet sand and I can taste the salt in the air... and just over the rocks, the waves are absolutely pumping!!!

1st Friday Art Walk at the WAV: My 1st Open Studio!

WHAT: 1st Friday Art Walk.  This will be my first open studio for Art Walk.

WHERE: The WAV Art Compound, 175 S. Ventura Ave, Ventura, CA.  My Studio is #P313... 3rd floor.

WHEN: Friday, June 3rd, 5pm-9ish

WHY:  So you can mosey up my studio, sip on some wine and check out some new projects I've got in the works, see where it all goes down, we can shoot the shit if you want too.  Also, you'll be able to check out a bunch of other artists studios as well as a new art show at the WAV gallery space. Good stuff.

Hope to see you Manana!

Humble Inspiration

Pic: Michelle Rozzen

 It's random emails like this that just blow me away and make my day...

"Hi. You don't know me and I didn't know you until I read a interview from you in the surfer magazine Tide. You inspire me to do my own thing. I really admire you. You do with your life what you want to do. It's fantastic. Last night I wrote down what I want from my life because of you. You showed  me with your interview that everything is possible. I live in Switzerland (Europe). but I don't like it here because we havent a ocean. I cant go surf whenever I want to go. I would like to live in the tropics. So maybe I must just be courageous and move into the world. change my place to live. And if my friends say to me, you're crazy I think at your words: "Expect the best, plan for the worst, fuck what others think and do your own thing!"

I hope, you understood my English because I'm not very good in that.  All what I wanted to say was, that you inspire me to do my own thing. to make that my dream comes true.

Thanks :-)

Wish you all the best and just the best waves in the world.


-F.G.

Words of Wisdom:

"There's nothing like biting off more than you can chew, and then chewing anyway."  - Mark Burnett 

"There are no easy methods of learning difficult things; the method is to close your door, give out that you are not at home, and work."  - Joseph de Maistre

You said it Mr. Maistre... Please don't call me, don't ask me to come play, don't invite me out for dinner(Feel free to drop off cookies though!)... locking myself in the studio/dungeon for a while and making shit happen. Big things in the works. Lot's of wood bein' cut.  Paint being painted. Lines drawn. Music listened. Graphics Designed. Midnight oil burned. See you in a whiles crocodiles... I'll pop my head out when it's safe again.

The Great Outdoors: Yosemite

Quick shot up to the amazing Yosemite valley last weekend to celebrate Marc's 40th birthday... couldn't have asked for better weather.  Camp'n, raft'n, BBQ'n, drink'n, hike'n, hot tub'n, laugh'n and pet'n the dog.  Good stuff...

Upper Yosemite Falls and Half Dome

Kates Moss

Stella

Amber looking for a bed

Can you see it?

Half of a Dome

Art Show: "G40" Washington DC, May 20th

Art Whino Gallery is throwing a HUGELY SUPER MASSIVE art event in Washington DC this Friday, "G40", Over 200 artists in a giant 4 story warehouse.

"Art Whino returns in 2011 for the second edition of G40. The first G40 art summit in 2010 compounded artistically explosive cultures from all over the world and brought them to the DC metro area. By bringing all of these cultures from throughout the world to one place it allowed the visitor to be fully immersed in over 2000 works by 500 artists organized by floors corresponding to their cultural hubs.

This year G40 explores not cultures but the genres which are on the forefront of creative transitions and growing in large scale with hundreds of thousands of fans throughout the world. Some of these genres include Customized collectibles, Skateboard Art, Stencil, Wheat Paste and 3D Installations.

The G40 Art Summit is a unprecedented experience in the art world with its scale and caliber of artists from around the world. This year the summit comes to the city next to the U street corridor taking over an entire 25,000 sqft building and showcasing art on all of it 4 floors.  From over twenty artists showcasing 16’ Murals to traditionally displayed artwork the summit will definitely have sensory overload requiring multiple trips to take in all the treats for the eyes."

Get more info here... http://www.artwhino.com/_webapp_3886764/2011_G40

I'll have an entire room at the show filled with my art and this new piece "Gypsy Rocks", made up of 32 individual 11"x11" panels, fun... spread the word!

Art Show: The New Wave @ Green Flash Gallery - May 14th, Cardiff, CA

Come join me for a fun night down in Cardiff by the Sea at the Greenflash Art Gallery for "The New Wave".  There's gonna be some great art on the walls by some great artists: Scotty Carter, Ned Evans, Erik Abel, Seitaku Aoyama, Tom Viega, Ash Francomb, Matt Beard, Takahiro Hida, Heather Brown, Mark Saracusa.  This Saturday, May 14th 5-9pm. www.greenflashartshop.com

My new log

Summer time in Ventura is on it's way, so I picked up this used and a little abused Dan Taylor 10' long wave eating machine... no ripple is safe... beware!

Mind is blown...

This little gem just might be the most amazing form of creative expression any of us will ever see in our lives...  my hat is off to this man and my mind is completely blown from trying to comprehend how much time and energy went into making this... devote the next 10 minutes of your life to watching this...


BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Ventura Newness

New home.  New bed.  New roommates.  New studio.  New route to the beach.  New ideas.  New opportunities. 

Words of Wisdom:

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow."  -Lin Yutang

I'm OPEN for business & plantin' roots... can you help?

Hello family, friends, acquaintances and complete strangers! 

Spring is about to to be sprung, love is in the air... and the strawberries are big and juicy!   I hope 2011 is exceeding your expectations.  It's exceeding mine... not expecting anything definitely helps!

Sooo... I've decided to hang up my vagabonding hat for a while, say farewell to my beloved, care-free, nomadic lifestyle and nestle into a nice condo in downtown Ventura, California for a year.  Gettin' all responsible. (I know, I know... It's hard for me to believe too) But I had a good run over the last 2.5 years.  The world is an amazing place full of some amazing people... there's still way too much to see and experience and a million more great friends to meet.   We'll see how long I last before my feet start itching for the open road again.

In the meantime, ABEL ARTS WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP.  It's time I buckle down and get to work... seriously.  WORK.  Lots of it.  Artsy projects.  Graphic designy projects.  Top Secret projects.  Anywhere in the world.  It's all fair game... and I'm steppin' up my game.  I've currently got some exciting projects in the fire and a few more goodies on the horizon, but I'm always on the market for more.

If you could do me a big favor and keep your ears and eyes peeled, chances are you, your company, your friend or crazy Uncle are in need of rock solid graphic design and/or some funky unique artwork for the house or office ... if so, be a match-maker and send them my way!  Much appreciated!  And networking will continue to live on!

Abel Arts does it all...  Art, Design, Illustration...

Logos, Brochures, Catalogs, Illustration, Company Branding/Identity, Apparel Graphics, Book Covers, Magazine Layout, Murals, Custom Original Art, Public Art, Web Design, Web Graphics, Posters, Album Artwork, Artwork Licensing, Product Package Design, Product Design, Vehicle Wrap Design, Finger Paintings... you name it, I can do it or know somebody who can. 

I get by with a little help from my friends... and on rare occasions... a cape. 

Cheers,

Erik Abel

I'm not flattered...

Click image to make bigger

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery right? That's BS. Imitation is the most sincere form of someone lacking creativity looking for an easy way out. Copying something for personal use is one thing... but copying artwork for a commercial project from the artwork of another commercial project, that's downright shameful.

A little while back, artist/designer pal Tom Veiga sent me the image he found of the poster on the right asking if I gave permission for the artist to copy the painting I did for International Surfing Day (on the left). Of course I knew nothing about it. There is no way to contact the artist or the person/company who produced this event or poster. I've tried. Google has finally failed me.

There's a reward for whoever can find the rip-off artist and their contact info. What's the reward? A little drawing or print or something... or maybe just a big high five and a solid hug. Cool?

Dear Australia...

Dear Australia, 

I've never met someone who has spent time with you and doesn't love you.  You're big, you're warm and you only have 20 million people or so... and they have funny accents that make me laugh.  And kangaroos hop around everywhere.  Still never managed to get the one picture I wanted... me boxing one with big red gloves on.  Maybe next time.... if your peeps will let me back in, I seemed to have overstayed my welcome by a bit. Doooh!

12 Apostles, South Coast

I've still got a lot of exploring to do with you but managed to make it to your West and South coasts this time around.  I made a conscious effort NOT get myself stuck in Byron Bay this time and got to see some other shweeeet places.  After leaving the crew in Sydney and watching NYE fireworks on the harbor, I hung with the Newports in Melbourne.  Great city.  Fun and lots going on but a bit far from the waves.  And the weather needs to make up it's mind.

West Oz

Then I decided to head out to the wild wet to meet up with my long lost Kiwi friend Nic in Margaret River, hadn't seen her in over 10 years... crazy.  The West is pretty laid back, has beautiful beaches and the waves fucking pump!  I'm surprised more people don't live there. Plus it's a real short hop to Indo.  I had a blast.  Can't wait to get back there.

Echidna

Your people remind me of the Kiwi's.  They seem really united and they have pride in that.  For example, during your big floods in Queensland, when downtown Brisbane was under water, there was nobody stealing anything.  It was weird.  Look at New Orleans during the same situation.  Looting left and right.  Fights.  Stupid gang shit.  Rapes in the shelters.  Disgusting and shameful stuff.  I cant even imagine what would happen if LA flooded... it would be full on anarchy.

Watching your politicians on the news was a breath of fresh air.  They actually sound like they have brains, they don't skirt questions, they're accessible.  You almost want to believe what they say... it's great! 

I love: Meat Pies, Eating your Kangaroos, the fact that the West coast blows offshore most of the year, listening to Aussie girls talk. Bare-Boobied beaches.

I don't love: All the fucking shark attacks, deadly spiders, deadly snakes and the most persistant annoying flies on the planet. The outrageous price of alcohol.

Until we meet again... mate!

Cheers, 

Me

 

Margs

Curl Curl

Margs Pumping!

 

Curiosity of Cyclone Bianca

 

Ready to hunt fishies

Dinner

Nic... about to make me late for my bus!

Not a bad place to climb around.  James with his life in my hands.

Swedish Meatball Eyeball

Swedes+Beer+Plastic cow=This

The one that make have killed Mr. Irwin... not sure.

Gnarabup Sunset