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...

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?

Last Ride Illustration :: Surfing Magazine :: Oct 2010

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Recently did an illustration for Surfing Magazines Last Ride section, October issue.  It's for a little story about the gulf oil spill.  Glad that disgusting thing isn't leaking anymore.  And a thanks to Scott Chenoweth for the art direction.

Beachworks work

Artwork hanging behind the cash reg in the new SD Shop

Been doing some design work for Beachworks Shops over the last few months. Made some paintings for their new shop that opened in San Diego and laid out a few of their ads for Blisss Magazine. The last ad was definitely Indo inspired, I added a little sketch of the Hindu protective spirit, Barong, and used one of my photos of a secret right in Sumatra that was going off... we got this all to ourselves... just laughing the whole ride home!

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 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!

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<<

Endemic Agenda: Shirt Graphics

The brand spankin' new company Endemic Agenda just launched their clothing line and website a short while ago. They invited me to become a member of their Artist's Vault and used my Washed Up Print graphic for a range of men's and women's Tees. You can buy the shirts on the Endemic website. And their products are made using renewable energy and earth friendly inks, sshweet.

I think they got some good things going on. Keep an eye out.... and go grab a shirt.

New Billabong Shirt

A new shirt I designed for Billabong is in stores... get you one. For some reason I'm not as happy about how this one came out, I like this one better.

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.

Billabong Shirt Graphic

A shirt I did for Billabong USA for their Fall 2009 line is hitting shops. Go grab yourself one!

Oxbow Artworks Artist

French surf company Oxbow (Laird Hamilton is their big rider) had me do some graphics for their upcoming Spring, Summer and Fall lines as one of the artists for the Oxbow Artworks line. Each artist gets a hang tag with a short bio and website plug, pretty cool. The site has a few graphics from the spring and summer line on it right now... check it out HERE.

NZ: Somebody please pinch me...

I must be dreaming...

Camped out at a pumping Right point.
Beautiful volcano in the distance.
Can't begin to count the number of waves I got this morning, or yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that.
Flip Flops.
Boardshorts.
Just cracked open an ice cold Tui.
The Van turned mobile art studio. (My Vart Studio?)
Painting a new shirt graphic for Billabong.
Waves still getting better by the minute.
Wind still offshore.
A big Kiwi ham and cheese sandwich waiting to be made (and devoured).
Wetsuit almost dry for an epic afternoon sesh.
Surrounded by good people.
Not sure where I'll be tomorrow.
No end in sight.

I think this moment just goes to show that what you keep in your thoughts will materialize. Might as well think of how to get to paradise right?

A BIG THANKS to all those who helped made, or are helping make, this adventure possible in one way or another. I am grateful.

Wahoo's Colorado Shirts

If you live in Colorado and you like delicious fish tacos, head on down to a Wahoo's Fish Taco joint and you'll likely be served by somebody wearing one of these nifty shirts I designed up. pretty outdoorsy eh? Signal Snowboards is your friend.

Poster Design for Wahoo's

Not too long ago I designed up a few posters, table tent and coupons for Wahoo's Fish Tacos and their Mountain High and Signal Snowboards promotion. If you're in the SoCal area, check it out...

New ODDICA Shirt Release!

Oddica recently asked me to design a shirt based on my painting "Infinite". This is my second release with Oddica and hopefully not my last. Printed with soft water-based inks on American Apparel Tee's and Polo's (Very limited number of these!).

Check out and purchase the Tee's here: Infinite Tee

And the Polos here: Infinite Polo

Art Scout

I just finished designing the website for Bridget Larrabee and her new Art Consulting venture, Art Scout. She's kicking things off with 8 artists from the PDX region including yours truly. Take a look.

Design Work

Been busy designing a ton of artist series shirt graphics for Oxbow in France and did a graphic for Reef a while back. I'll post some samples when they release the Spring and Summer lines in '09. Top secret for now.

Album Artwork for Jubala

I was recently commissioned to create artwork for the band Jubala out of LA. Check it out...

New Erik Abel Oddica Shirt

Pleased to announce Oddica has released a new shirt design based on my popular painting, "Public Establishment". Get you one while they last!

Click here to view the shirt on Oddica.com