The Surfboard Art Project

No two are the same. Each has an inlaid photographic print. Each is fully functional and pays tribute to those who sculpted, laminated, sanded, pin-lined and polished with nothing more than simple tools, their hands and their eyes. Separate, the artwork and the surfboard stand on their own; together, they speak of and for each other and truly become art.

15 Surfboards by 15 Shapers

THE PREMISE

To collaborate with traditional craftsmen who hand-shape custom surfboards and combine their talents with my photographs. The project would pay homage to those behind the surfboard and create art from two mediums.

THE DESIRE

Exquisitely crafted, aesthetically pleasing surfboards with a laminated pigment-ink print. Embellishing the surfboard with a photograph is, for me, honorable. I wish not to deter but to accentuate. Not to clutter but to add appeal.

THE PROCESS

Begin by discussing the technical and aesthetic merit of the board and the image that will adorn it. The board is then crafted and finished. However, never were we to loose sight that, first and foremost, it was a surfboard that was being constructed — not a canvas in the shape of a surfboard.

THE RESULT

Functional art where the surfboard could work equally well in the ocean or as a stunning display on a wall. The challenge laid in making each board stand out from the rest. It is a testament to the individuals involved and their propensity for creativity and perfection that the challenge was met with success.

Each board carries the signature of its shaper and the title and limited edition series of the print.

Together or individually they are one-of-a-kind collectibles. They will enhance space and invigorate the imagination.

For pricing information please contact the studio.

1

"Pipeline"

BrandFiro
ModelFunshape
Dimensions7' 6" x 21.5" x 2.875"
ShaperSteve Firogenis
LocationWest Palm Beach, Florida
LaminatorSteve Firogenis
FinsThruster, FCS
2

“Mullet Chase”

BrandNomad
ModelFish
Dimensions6' x 21" x 2.5"
ShaperRon Heavyside
LocationBoynton Beach, Florida
LaminatorGarin Gimmy
FinsTwin, glassed-on
3

“Crystal Lip”

BrandRC
ModelSemi-gun
Dimensions7'4" x 20" x 2.625"
ShaperRicky Carroll
LocationRockledge, Florida
LaminatorRob Opperman
FinsThruster, FCS
4

“Pink Hibiscus”

BrandChris Birch
ModelDWRP4
Dimensions6'4" x 21.75" x 2.625"
ShaperChris Birch
LocationRockledge, Florida
LaminatorRob Opperman
FinsQuad, Future
5

“Sunrise Lines”

BrandOne World
ModelBalsa, Swallow Tail
Dimensions7'6" x 20" x 2.875"
ShaperJuan Rodriguez
LocationSarasota, Florida
LaminatorJuan Rodriguez
FinsThruster, wood, glassed-on
6

“Road to Discovery”

BrandKechele
ModelDiamond Cutter
Dimensions6' x 20.5" x 2.5"
ShaperMatt Kechele
LocationMelbourne, Florida
LaminatorAndy Cammarata
FinsThruster, FCS 5
7

“Down the Line”

BrandB.A.T.
ModelSingle Fin
Dimensions6'6" x 21.75" x 2.75"
ShaperBrian Tudor
LocationIndian Harbour Beach, Florida
LaminatorGlenn Hawks
FinsSingle, Fins Unlimited box
8

“The Pelican”

BrandPelicano
ModelLG
Dimensions5'10" x 19.75" x 2.375"
ShaperNestor Ramirez
LocationIsabela, Puerto Rico
LaminatorGuaili Ramirez
FinsThruster, FCS
9

“Legends in the Dark”

BrandWRV
ModelMini-Long
Dimensions8'6" x 22.5" x 2.8125"
ShaperJesse Fernandez
LocationKill Devil Hills, North Carolina
LaminatorDave Rhode
FinsFins Unlimited/dual FCS side bites
10

“Mutant“

BrandSpirare
ModelWood/Recycled EPS
Dimensions5'6" x 21" x 2.4"
ShaperKevin Cunningham
LocationProvidence, Rhode Island
LaminatorKeith Natti
FinsQuad, FCS II
11

“The Wall“

BrandRawson
Model'75 Single Fin
Dimensions7' x 20.5" x 3.125"
ShaperPat Rawson
LocationNorth Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
LaminatorOtis Schaper
FinsSingle, Island Fin Design
12

“Jungle Fall“

BrandDick Brewer Surfboards
ModelDarrick Doerner Template
Dimensions9' x 20'5" x 3.25"
ShaperDick Brewer
LocationKauai, Hawaii
LaminatorJack Reeves
FinsThruster, Future
13

“The 3 Amigos“

BrandChristenson
ModelMescaline
Dimensions5'5" x 19.25" x 2.3125"
ShaperChris Christenson
LocationSan Marcos, California
LaminatorNainoa Speier
FinsQuad, glass-on
14

“Pismo Pilings“

BrandJim Phillips
ModelGADABOUT
Dimensions8'6" x 22" x 2.75"
ShaperJim Phillips
LocationEncinitas, California
LaminatorBing Surf Factory
FinsSingle, wood, glass-on
15

"The Beginning"

BrandMcTavish
ModelGenesis
Dimensions6'9" x 21" x 3.125"
ShaperBob McTavish
LocationByron Bay, Australia
LaminatorBill McLean
FinsCustom, 11" flex-tip, glass-on
Stever Firogenis, shaper and owner of FIRO Surfboards in West Palm Beach, Florida
Steve Firogenis
Ron Heavyside
Ricky Carroll, shaper and owner of RC Surfboards in Rockledge, Florida
Ricky Carroll
portrait of Chris Birch at the R&D surfboard manufacturing factory inside the pin lining room
Chris Birch
Juan Rodriguez, shaper and owner of One World surfboards in Sarasota, Florida
Juan Rodriguez
Matt Kechele, owner and shaper of Matt Kechele Surfboards
Matt Kechele
Brian Tudor surfboard shaper of B.A.T.  surfboards in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida.
Brian Tudor
Nestor Ramirez
Jesse Fernandez
Kevin Cunningham, surfboard shaper in Providence, Rhode Island
Kevin Cunningham
Pat Rawson at home on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Pat Rawson
Dick Brewer at home in Kaui, Hawaii
Dick Brewer
Chris Christenson in front of the door that leads to his shaping room in San Marcos, California
Chris Christenson
Jim Phillips at the Bing Surf Factory in Encinitas, California
Jim Phillips
Bob McTavish

The Book

15×15

“One of the most beautiful odes to surfboards ever created. Each shape, each shaper, and each shaping process is lovingly detailed–even the glassers get some love, a rarity in our shaper-obsessed world. That makes
every page of 15X15 a thing of lingering beauty–a page to savor, not a page to flip. A must-own tome for every surfer.”
Nick McGregor, Editor, Eastern Surf Magazine

  • 128 pages
  • 4 colors
  • ISBN 978-1-5136-0915-7
  • 10″x7″
  • $30.00