My latest surfboard art was created in conjunction with award winning shaper Ricky Carroll of RC Surfboards in Rockledge, Florida. The inlayed image, titled “Crystal Lip” (#1 of 10), is from a series of recently photographed wave lips. It evokes purity in motion and makes a striking and dramatic image on this, my third surfboard inlay.
From the outset it was truly a collaborative effort. Ricky suggested a 7″ 4″ semi-gun style, big wave board and a color resin tint job on the opposite side of the print. This would be the first time we would accent a color from the print and hopefully add to, and not compete with, the image.
Selecting the image was a three step process. First I let my ‘friends’ on Facebook vote between six choices. The top three were then shown to Ricky who eliminated one leaving me with an executive decision. I enlisted the service of my son and asked him to choose between my left and right hand wherein I had placed the name of the two images. (Now you know why us executives receive such large bonuses.)
Seriously, this was a rewarding experience. I was fortunate to collaborate with a true master craftsman. Industry insiders are all familiar with Rick’s work as he is one of the best shapers working today. Furthermore we took the project to another level with the color tint, an abstract image and by finishing it with a yellow pin line that was perfectly and painstakingly put on by Jim Hannan, an acclaimed resin artist. As with the other two boards everything was entirely hand crafted.
“Crystal Lip” #1 has added greater artistic merit to the surfboard art project as well as increased my expectations for future boards. But let’s not forget, this is a fully functional surfboard beckoning a solid 8′ point break swell. And thus lies the dilemma, is it an art piece or is it a surfboard? Can it, will it, be both?
A good question at the end of your comments. As an artist I am sure your instincts would like for someone to hang this in the “board room” of a major corp. But, as a business person maybe the money is trademarking the idea and selling the application to all shapers around the world. The question is do you want to make a lot of money or be a starving artist. DB
Hey Tony …Really nice,what kind of fabric is the photo on?
George, the fabric is light weight and pliable adding hardly any weight to the board. It holds the inks used in printing very well and drys quickly. I’ve tested it with both epoxy and polyester resins and it does not smear. It also cuts easily once its been resined on the board. I’m glad you like the work.
Tony. The board’s beautiful! Ted would have loved to have worked with you on one!! Would love to hang some at the Fox Shop for you.
I was wondering what your other images where and how muck did the board cost thanx