Salty But Subtle

As much as I love surfing I get tired of it been used as a means for branding and cool factor. Art and writing that includes the sport of kings falls into two camps, soulful or tacky. I have come appreciate art/music/books that have surfing in the background not the foreground. I like things that imply but don't outright say "surfing".

Art--Tom Killion

Recently my own art is taking the direction of ink lines and colour swaths. I want to head in the direction of print making so was very interested to discover Tom Killion's work in the last Surfer's Journal. Tom Killion blends traditional Japanese print making with coastal Californian content. The result is absolutely spectacular, although it is clear that Killion is a surfer he includes it in a very appropriate and subtle way.

Books--Tim Winton

Australian writer Tim Winton writes novels that take place is rural, coastal, Australia. Winton hardly ever mentions surfing in his books, but he is a surfer and surfing magically exists just off the page and whispers itself to the reader through out the books. My two favorite books by Winton are Dirt Music and Blueback.

Music--Chris Issak

Jack Johnson has been credited with creating the newest wave ofc surf music, very laid back simple songs that border on wimpy. But before Jack there was Ocean beach surfer Chris Isaak. Chris is the first person that has ever been able to make singing in Falsetto manly. Although not appropriate in all settings, and never appropriate in a car full of guys Chris Isaak's Baja Sessions is the perfect soundtrack to an after surf hammock swing...