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"

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!!!

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!

I'm not flattered...

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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?

New Art from the road...

 Here's a new painting for the friends I'm staying with in Margaret River.

New Commission

Untitled, 12.5" x 12.5", Acrylic and Mixed on Panel, Erik Abel 2010

One-of-a-kind, mIxed media prints...

Here's a little sample of some of the 50, 8x10, one-of-a-kind, mixed media prints that will be on display at my show Saturday. They are just $20 each and they fit any standard 8x10 frame. I had a lot of fun making these, just experimenting with block print stamps, colored pencil and other media. And they are finished off with a nice matte clear coat for protection. Your walls are in need of some of these, come down and grab a few...

The new one-piece wood frames...

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I'm really stoked on how these came out: One-piece wood frames, CNC machined (Special thanks to the crew at Signal Snowboards for that) out of 3/4 Birch ply, black edges, stained and topped with a smooth satin finish, just delicious! The art is painted on wood panel and counter sunk into the back. They were a lot of work to make, but well worth it. What do you think?

This piece will be up at the show next week..."The Fluid That Binds Us"

Sneek peek at some work for the show...

Here's 4 of the large pieces that will be up at my solo show, "The Fluid That Binds Us" opening August 7th in Costa Mesa.

30"x40"

24"x40"

24"x40"

24"x40"

Art for 21st Annual Waterman's Ball

These 2 new pieces will be up for auction at the 21st Annual Waterman's Ball down in Laguna Niguel, CA July 8-9. This prestigious event/auction benefits numerous ocean-environmental organizations.

"The Fluid That Binds Us" A solo show

Been hard at work on my next solo show opening Saturday, August 7th at the Surfing Heritage Foundation Gallery in Costa Mesa titled "The Fluid That Binds Us". Details on the show coming soon. The above is a little sample of one of the 50+ one-of-a-kind prints I will be making for the show along with several new paintings and a groovy new framing system I've got in the works. It's gonna be a good one, I promise. Mark those calendars right now!

Design For Humanity: New Art

Here's a little sample of some new work that will be featured in Billabong's Design For Humanity Event on June 10th...

"Liquid Zen I" - 40" x 24" © Erik Abel 2010
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New Print:

Click >>HERE<< to view and purchase

This is a high quality print of the artwork I recently did for International Surfing Day 2010

And check out the little interview Surfing Mag did for this >>HERE<<

Artwork for International Surfing Day 2010

Surfing Magazine and The Surfrider Foundation's
6th Annual International Surfing Day

I was recently contacted by Surfing Mag to create the artwork for this years poster, ads and banners. Go grab the new issue of Surfing Mag and check out the spread. Also take a look at the little interview Surfing Mag did about this >>HERE<<

High quality prints of the original artwork are now available >>HERE<<

WET...

Maaaaaan, it's like getting to pee after sitting through a long, long movie. Finally got to dip a brush into paint again. It's been far too long. There's been a lot going on in my sketch books over the last year, inspirations long forgotten, ideas that once got me really excited and don't anymore and others that still wet my whistle... Plenty of material to get the wheels turning again. I'm currently putting together a bunch of small pieces (11"x11" with ply frame, like THESE) and will have them all available in MY STORE within the next few weeks for an unbeatable price... hopefully some of you will see one you like and be so kind to contribute to my Indo Tube Searching Fund (See previous post)

ERIK ABEL JOINS ARTSPROJEKT!!!

The time has come to officially launch my ARTSPROJEKT store/Art Laboratory! The brains of the operation, Andy Howell (Artist and former pro-skater) recently invited me to be a part of the AP family. Pretty stoked to be amongst some of my favorite artists! (Shepard Fairy/Obey, Mars-1, Erik Otto, DALEK, Jim Phillips, Ekundayo)

I've spent the last month putting together artwork and graphics for a basic product line of high quality prints/posters, shirts, hats, buttons, skateboard decks and other paraphernalia. And the line will constantly be expanding. The genius of ARTSPROJEKT is it's print-on-demand platform... a product is made only when it's ordered. Customers can customize most products too, ie- shirt style and color, print size, paper or canvas, framed or not. Artists don't have to worry about overhead, production, inventory or shipping... hallelujah! This means you can expect a constant flow of new products regardless of where I am in the world. Let's say it together now... AWESOME!

Be sure to join my newsletter so you'll be notified of special products I'll be offering only for a limited time.

So, check out what I've got in the store, get yourself a shirt and a few prints or a birthday present for the old lady(or old man) Currently I have 20 posters, a dozen shirts and loads of hats, buttons, mouse pads, mugs, skateboard decks and other various items to choose from.

GO TO MY ARTSPROJEKT STORE >>

There's also a little >>INTERVIEW<< I did for the AP blog.

For the complete low down on ARTSPROJEKT, Read the Press Release.

Oceanic Totems 1 & 2

I finally got around to producing some personal work while being semi-settled in New Plymouth. These are painted on reclaimed New Zealand lumber and inspired by the the elements.

6 New Originals in the Store

Before I left for NZ, I boxed up 6 experimental pieces (which is why they are so cheap) I had been working on over the last few months. I'm actually really liking them. I've been cutting up old Surfing mags and gluing them on simple shapes and patterns. These are all 12.5 x 12.5 inches with plywood frames, ready to hang. $100 each USA shipping included.

Check them all out right HERE in my store. If you want any, my lovely state-side studio assistant will gladly get that shipped off to you!

My Store: www.abelstore.blogspot.com