Monday, November 24, 2008

Luiz Blanco

Luiz Blanco is one of the best surf photographers from Brasil right now… His work is very artistic and brings the best of surf performance, mixed with the mood that make us want to go surf… Below some deep words from Luiz, and above a little example of what this guy can do….

What's you name and where are you from?
Luiz Blanco, Rio de Janeiro.

When did you find out that you would be an artist?
For real was never a moment that this happens, the things flow on a way that my ideas and works got to a subjective way. I was always against the stuff that was being copied on the market, and my goal was to make a different type of photography, and in this way I got closer to the art and not only photojournalism. It’s funny; because the photojournalism started closer to the art and after sometime turned to be a crazy money race like it’s is today, of course with exceptions.

What do you want to show to people when you do your art?
Depends. I try to show a different look, that represents something more. The beach it’s not only the wave, or the surfer doing a trick. If you know how to use other elements you can create a narrative that tells not only the moment, but a place. It’s more complete in my opinion. My photos are open to another interpretation, and not only my. A lot of times a friend tells me something from my photo that I never saw… some detail, or point of view. And I think this is the nicest thing about art, because its always open to different interpretations, and it’s no right and wrong. Unfortunately it’s a lot of lack of interest, from a public that were conditioned to see things ready.

What's surf for you?
Surf is another form of expression and gives me the return/pleasure almost instant. It’s another feelings other than art. It’s faster. It’s good to speed up your life sometimes.

Can you tell us some highlights in your carrier?
Did an article to Transworld Surf magazine, two covers on Fluir magazine, and I’m at the Blackwater magazine since the first issue.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
More I travel, more I see how Brasil it’s late in everything. The culture here it’s almost none and not talking about education. In the other side, much more I travel, more I miss home, so it’s impossible to say that I don’t like Brasil.

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
I see that are people that give value to art surf in Brasil, and I’m happy about this.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
Not only see with your eyes.

http://www.luizblanco.com/

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Bob Mctavish

Bob Mctavish was the first man to cut a longboard and make something that we call shortboard. He was one of the most important characters on the shortboard revolution era. He still shapes everyday. He’s a very special man, full of love and kindness. And it’s someone that I really admire and I’m sure we will share some waves some day. I ask him to do something for the art show, and it took sometime to convince him to do it… After sometime, he agrees to make some drawing about surfboards concept. It’s an unspeakable honor to have Mr. Mctavish part of the II Santos SurfArt. It will be the first time that he’s part of an art show what makes this all very special… I'm stoked my brother! Really, really stoked! Below are his words and above it's him killing it on his 60's!

What's you name and where are you from?
Bob McTavish, Byron bay, Australia.

When did you find out that you would be an artist/shaper?
Artist: 1956 at school. Shaper: 1963 after I'd shaped a few hundred.

What do you want to show to people when you do your boards / art?
Boards: the higher FUN quotient teamed with lots of easy wave-catching and natural feel. Art: Invoke a sense of being there for that important moment.

What's surf for you?
Only sport/pastime that I wanna do. A lifelong fascination and refinement.

Can you tell us some highlights in your carrier?
Hawaii in 1963 when I stowed away on a ship. Shortboard Revolution, 1967. Love affair with Lennox Head for 40 years.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
Bossa Nova, dancing, rhythm. Gilberto, Jobin, Bonfa.

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
It's my first. I'm a bit scared.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
I was privileged to be there when these things happened. Enjoy creation. Honor the Creator.

http://www.mctavish.com.au/

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Richard Dowdy

Richard it’s a classic man. He was introduced to me by Drew Kampion and I was so happy that happen. He lived on the golden age of surf art and sport and will show some vintage shots on the Santos SurfArt. I’m truly honored to have him part of the exhibition here, so check out the photo above, (Ryan Dotson, Waimea Bay, 1963)… and Richard’s words below…

What’s you name and where are you from?
My name is Richard Dowdy—nickname is Slick. I was born in Wyoming and moved to Southern California (Ocean Beach) after the fifth grade. Before beginning high school I moved to Encinitas where I first began surfing at Moonlight Beach.

When did you find out that you would be an artist?
I started drawing cartoons when I was in the fourth grade; by the time I entered high school, I was drawing and painting, taking photos and making short 8mm films. In college (Long Beach State) I majored in art with an English minor; this eventually changed to English with a minor in photojournalism. Art rules my life; I am constantly photographing a variety of subjects. Each photograph, no matter how good or bad, advances my knowledge and respect for the truly great photographers of the world.

What do you want to show to people when you do your art?
My photographs are extensions of my interests and passion to capture moments in time.

What’s surf for you?
It is the ultimate use of nature’s power: wind, water and tides. The more we realize how special and unique surfing is, the more we will do to preserve the ocean’s purity and save the beaches for those who follow in our tracks.

Can you tell us some highlights in your career?
At the end of my college years I went to work for Hansen Surfboards in Cardiff by-the-Sea; first I rubbed rails, and then glassed boards. Later, I was a glosser during the summer season. Along with Hansen’s manager Jim Jenks (who later founded Ocean Pacific Sunwear), I created the Stone Steps Surf Contest—an event made for fun with beer, bands and big-name surfers competing for trophies created by local surf shop workers. Though Jim and I left the contest after six years, it still is held each summer at Stone Steps in Leucadia. Later, I left Hansen’s and moved to Santa Barbara and began working as a writer for Capitol Records. When I returned to Encinitas a couple of years later, I returned to Hansen as their design and marketing person, creating ads and catalogs. At that time I was approached by a representative from Surfing Magazine who asked me to come on board, which I did, even though Jim Jenks had just asked me to be advertising director at OP. I chose the “glamour” of the magazine—with a much lower salary. I remained at Surfing as editor/art director/publisher for nearly eight years. After that, I established a radio-control car magazine while editing an airplane and boat magazine. The car magazine brought me back to photographing auto racing, something I had taken up during high school. That led to me eventually becoming a staff photographer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This past May was the 19th Indy 500 race I have photographed, along with numerous other Indycar and Formula One races, and most recently the MotoGP Championship in Indianapolis. After leaving the car magazine, I was asked by my friend Chris Carter to work as a writer on his TV series, The X-Files an enormously satisfying experience. After the X-Files, my wife Nanette, who had started a graphic design, branding and marketing studio, coerced me into joining her in the business. This marks the 23rd year since she began Studio 2055, where I serve as partner, writer, photographer and art director. I still photograph surfing, along with open-wheel auto racing, street people in Los Angeles, landscapes and musicians in concert.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
Friendly, happy people, carnival, surf, thongs and Copacabana Beach…but most of all, Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi and Felipe Massa!

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
I am honored to be among such prominent and creative people who are showing their work in such an inspiring and exciting venue.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
It pleases me that people far away who share the same love for the ocean’s waves and art will have an opportunity to view my work and that of these amazingly talented contributors. Thank you, and greetings from California!

http://www.richarddowdy.com/index.html

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Steve Sherman and Paulo Xanadu

Steve Sherman work it’s very inspiring to me and I’m sure for most of the surf related photographers out there. He got that decisive moment thing… and it’s just amazing… His photos for the show in Santos will be all about the Brazilian born shaper Paulo Xanadu, which will have a special artistic surfboard made especially for the show. Both of these guys are very special. Both are master on their craft. Check out the double interview with them…

What's you name and where are you from?
Steve Sherman from Cardiff, California.
Xanadu, San Diego, Califórnia, but born in São Paulo, Brasil.

When did you find out that you would be an artist?
SS: The first time I made a B/W print (7th.grade).
X: When I was 2 years old.

What do you want to show to people when you do your art?
SS: Intimate imagery. Show the viewer a decisive moment in time.
X: I like to show that surfboards it is a much more complex then what people thing it is.

What's surf for you?
SS: My lifelong love. It’s what keeps me a float.
X: Surf for me it’s my life, it’s the best thing for my mind, soul and spirit, give the best energy, more than anything.

Can you tell us some highlights in your carrier?
SS: Capturing a lot of Kelly's greatest moments while still staying his friend. Inspiring a got amount of surf photographers to push their work in new directions. Bringing SURFING MAGAZINE back from the dead...
X: Highlights on my professional side: Brad Gerlach finish second on the world, Lisa Andersen world champion 2 times on my board, on the last 15 + years many surfer qualifying to the WCT on my boards and many kids won the NSSA Nationals on my boards.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
SS: Beautiful people, great food, Xanadu!!!
X: Brasil it’s a place I love and have my heart on.

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
SS: It's a true honor to participate in such show.
X: Feels very good I’m very happy to be part of the show.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
SS: Hope you enjoy what I do...Keep surfing...
X: The surfboard is the connection of human soul with the energy of the ocean waves.

http://www.steveshermanimages.com/Site/Bio.html
http://www.xanadusurfdesigns.com/

Monday, November 10, 2008

Tmoe on the phone!

The Mattson 2 in Brasil... Today I was writing an article about the Mattson 2 for the biggest surf magazine in Brasil and I got the incredible honor to speak with Thomas Campbell on the phone... Man, I was so nervous, but everything went good and I got some nice words about the twins for the article... Hopefully we will have Mr. Campbell involved with the 2010 show... hahahahah, I'm so stoked!!!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Kyle Lightner

Kyle is a super good photographer. He’s also a very kind man and I'm stoked that he’s on the show. And the most special thing is that he is the last artists invited for the show! And as you may know, the last is the best… So here we go Kyle!

What´s you name and where are you from?
My name is Kyle Lightner, and I’m from Orange County, California.

When did you find out that you would be an artist?
I never really ‘found out’ at a specific time that I was going to be an artist…I’ve more or less ‘found myself’ through creating art and being passionate about my interests in life.

What do you want to show to people in your photographs?
The passion that keeps me creating, thriving, and breathing.

What´s surf for you?
It is life. It is my source of energy, and where my perspective comes from. The life of riding waves in such a pure way and filled with passion, represents eternal freedom to me.

Can you tell us some highlights in your career?
I had a career as a professional photographer earlier this year, but I quit to become a professional photographer without a career. So far, I like it much, much more.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
The reef ads in Surfing Magazine from ‘95.

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
I honestly feel like it’s the first time I smoked, I’m high out of my mind and everything seems so surreal! This is one of the greatest opportunities any artist could ever dream of, especially being from California and being added to the list of incredible talents known worldwide- It’s truly an honor.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
Our life is art; and we choose what we paint our canvas with in our day to day lives…Passion, creativity, and individuality are painting mine. Bring your passion out by the roots, and sing it out like some true feelings.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Rafael Sobral

When I was around 16 years old, I went to surf in a next town break, and when I got to the beach, I saw Rafael Sobral leaving and he said hi to me… He was already one of the top brazilians longboarders and I remember exactly how stoked I was with him saying hi to me… After some years I got to know him and he was always one of the kindest guys ever. He’s one of the guys behind the biggest websites in South America and it’s a awesome film maker. On the festival he will show a short movie about the last year event. And it’s a honor to have him with us.

What’s you name and where are you from?
My name is very big, Rafael Corrêa Sobral Caetano da Silva, but people known me as Rafael Sobral. I am from Santos, São Paulo.

When did you find out that you would be an artist?
I do not know if I am really an artist. My brother Nei Sobral is the artist in the family, I just try to do my best. I started doing surf videos to promote my longboard website. I have a lot of friends on brazilian longboard community and the video was an good opportunity expose their talent. I enjoyed it very much.

What do you want to show to people when you do your art?
In my first video, Longboard 2000, I decided to use a very simple formula, just music and surf trip images. In my second movie "Hang with us", I tried to make surfers tell their thoughts about what does longboard mean for each one. It was much more interesting. Now, as I do not have to much time to work on my video projects, I make some small videos that I publish in my website. In this videos, I try to bring the simple emotions of been surfing with family or meeting friends in longboard festivals and show their emotions in that moment. Try to give an inside view where idols are just a stoked friend. I try to find the best part of people.

What’s surf for you?
I think that surf is really my art. I am not that surfer, but when I surf, I feel like dancing. Maybe it is the way I express myself more naturally.

Can you tell us some highlights in your career?
My father was one of surf pioneers in São Vicente and through his friends was introduced the longboard community. When I was 17 years old (1994) I got longboard state championship. I was brazillian team member in the ASP World Championships at Makaha (1997), Australia (1999) and Brazil (2000). At that time internet was starting to get popular in Brazil and I started a longboard website (Hanging Together) that become very popular. So I decided to try making my living on that. I was a hard decision because I was working in a Research Institute, finishing my Master in Science degree and going to a Ph.D. I left everything behind for something I was not sure if was going to work. Sponsors was not used to internet so I decided to make a movie to show then the value of my work with something they were able to understand, a surf video. I never made money on the website but the videos were best sellers in Brazil, most because of the good network provided by the website. After an year I got no money anymore, but my skills as webmaster guarantee a job at Waves.com.br. Soon it became the leader on segment and I became a partner. I developed a live cam beach site with my partners at Waves called e-surf.com.br. The software I developed for that is used today by many ski resorts too, and even by WaveWatch for sometime.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
Friends and family. I love my country and specially my hometown Santos, where I am near to the beach and I meet friends of a lifetime walking in the streets.

How do you feel to be part of an art show over here in Santos city?
I am really happy for Jair invitation. I believed it is going to be a big event, with a lot of interesting things and best of all, it is in Santos. :)

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
I hope people enjoy. They are not great productions, I do them with what I have on hands, but It has a lot my of my passion about the theme. I think this why same people like it.

www.e-surf.com.br
www.waves.com.br

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Chris Malloy

One of the best surf movies ever in my opinion it’s Chris Malloy and Taylor Steele's Shelter. And that movie touch me so much and it was tattoo in my mind for long time, well, maybe even forever… For the Film Festival here in Santos we will have the pleasure and honor to premiere the new Chris's movie, One Track Mind. Let’s see what Chris have to say about him and Brasil… Thanks Chris and Woodshed Films for this!

What’s you name and where are you from?
My name is Chris Malloy and I live in Lompoc, California.

When did you find out that you would be a film maker?
When I broke my leg surfing 2nd reef pipe in 1997.

What do you want to show to people when you do your movies?
The simultaneous sensation of hearing a good song you’ve never heard before while watching really aesthetically pleasing wave riding that you have never seen before.

What’s surf for you?
Surfing for me is the same as it ever was. one of many ways to live a full life.

Can you tell us some highlights in your career?
I got invited to the Eddie Aikau. That was pretty cool I thought. Other than that, my highlights have just been a few good evening surfs with my friends.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Brasil?
When I think of Brasil I think of very passionate people. I think of people who have worked hard to get where they are. Oh ya, and I think of those little bikinis. We need more of those in America.

How do you feel to be part of the film festival over here in Santos city?
Any time you put live music together with art and surfing you are going to have a good thing. I’m honored to be a part of any event like that.

Some words to the people that will see your work in Brasil...
Remember not to sit and watch surf movies too much. Go surfing, make music, make art and above all...share waves with each other!

http://www.woodshedfilms.com/films/one_track_mind