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