Surf Art and the Surf Industry

[spineto studios]

Why is Surf Art becoming just another brand but not a movement ?

[Ron Croci]

Tony, I think, but am not certain, it's because surfing related artwork has always been part of commercialism. From magazines to Aloha shirts, the imagery has been there to sell products.
Now if you take other "movements" like cubism, realism, minimalism etc. they started out as art then AFTER they were incorporated into the main stream, prints, lunch boxes, and shirt patterns using the now popular pictures became commercial.
Also I think, that much of Modern Art is angry art, and surfing in general is just not expressed with that dark introspective direction. Most surf art is about being happy. I think thats why Wolfgang Bloch's art is popular. The "serious", and meloncholy look of his paintings raises it to "artistic " status.
But , wadoiknow?

[spineto studios]

Ron,

I like your insight and I agree that eventually all things get branded in this "free market economy". Your right, I can find Picasso's work on a lunch box but you will never see Ron English's propaganda art on t-shirt at Walmart. Now that art style is a "movment" that will never be "mainstreamed" by his choice. However, I am starting to see his style copied more and more.

I just hate to see Surf Art evolve into a huge brand. but then again how can it not ,this is a billion billion dollor industry !

[Ron Croci]

Yeah, well, when are we getting some of those billions?

[spineto studios]

Well, I would like to see that. However, I see major "surf" companies (making millions) and private non-profit organizations like Surfrider (ya, I said it) sucker young and older surf artists into donating or giving their images to these million dollar organizations to promote their products and agendas. The surf artist doesn’t reap those financial rewards these companies do. All the surf artist can hope for is maybe a mention of their name on a flyer, event invitation, poster, product or some lame book. Hmmm, that alone never generates a decent income.

However, not all surf artists have had this happen to them. Many of us including myself are able to support ourselves financially through or work.

Why do you think the CEO’s of these organizations make hundred of thousands a year but yet they still ask for donations of our art to raise them money in the guise of a cause. That leads to branding.

[surferinred]

Why do you think the CEO’s of these organizations make hundred of thousands a year but yet they still ask for donations of our art to raise them money in the guise of a cause. That leads to branding.

Very good point!

[spineto studios]

when I started out I made the mistake of donating my work to the big cats in hope people would become familiar with "Tony Spineto" and His work. I will never make that mistake again especially when they try to steal your work. I saw it for what it was.

[Ron Croci]

Tony, tell us what happened.

[spineto studios]

well, If I decide to spill the beans on a very "public" forum I might need a day or so to figure out how exactly I would like to share with the world what went down.

But at the same time it might really benefit many artists trying to promote their work and might serve has a warning that there should be some caution regarding their work and the industry.

stay tuned.

[Ron Croci]

Come on Tony, were waiting. You dont have to use any ones name, just what happened. You owe it to your fans Tony.

[mariabrophy]

Tony, you raised a great topic, and it's hit on so many levels.

I'm not sure what you mean by surf art as a brand - I see branding as being an activity on an individual or single company level. Maybe you could expand upon what you mean.

If my 2 cents is worth anything - I think it's great when people who can't afford an original painting can buy their favorite art on a useful item.

I love my Andy Davis tee shirt and hat! I don't yet own an Andy Davis original (need to free up some wall space) but I will one day.

As for giving Drew Brophy art to all those charities - we've cut back on that significantly. I now ask a charity how much of a cut the artist gets, before committing. Many charities are now splitting proceeds 40% to the artist, 60% to the charity. It's in their best interest to do so - they will get better quality art that way. And because the IRS laws are not favorable to artists donations, it's just fair. (The IRS does not give the artist a write off on anything other than their actual supply costs.)

If all artists start asking charities to share in the proceeds to cover the artists costs, then the system will change. Let's do it, guys!

[spineto studios]

Branding is something that is done on a corporate level. Producing goods or services to a target audience with the attempt to sell the good or service at a high price while the production costs are done at a minimal expence. For example, selling a Nike shoe for a $130.00 and its production cost might be 3 bucks to make. Why are surfboards so expensive?

Now has certain surf artists done that yet, not really some have. Does the Surf industry do that HELL YES!( I wonder how many green friendly surf companies do this, Hypocrites) has "surf art" done that yet? Not yet, but it has potential. Believe me I am a free market capitalist (I am sure I will get killed for saying that on this forum) but I see art as a personal expression not a product and should be expressed as a movment. I believe that some of these greedy non profit organizations and prominate surf companies need to realize that before the beg, barrow, and STEAL our art work. I do not donate my work until I get in writing that I will receive 40% of the donation. Surprisingly people have quite asking for my work. Hmmm.....

[phoam]

excellent excellent thread.

It doesn't just stand for surf artists, but also surf photographers.
these big surf industries play on the ' we will credit your image with your name and give you exposure'.. in the mean time they take your creation for next to nothing or free and use it to promote their own product or agenda.
how often would someone go "gee I like that photo/painting and look up the name and buy their own piece of art/image?

Just recently a surf company here in NZ ran a competition calling for budding designers to design a tshirt logo to promote a surf brand and website . prize was "we will flick you a couple of free tshirts". It was an insult.

However recently I happily did an artwork for a run of tshirts for fundraising for a national surfing environmental group (of which I am a committee member). I got a free tshirt.

I think the attitude change needs to come from within the surf industry, I am not sure this will happen.