The series is a personal ode to Hokusai - an ethereal surfer's mantra. A response, non- photographic and mnemonic, to the surf cliché and surf imagery bombardment.
Studies were done on location and completed in the studio.Most of the (sand, salt, acrylic, oil with charcoal) paintings were purposely started on the beach in somewhat dramatic weather conditions. Thus nature, the wind and rain, are enlisted to play an intrinsic part- an active role- imposing itself on the material in what becomes a somewhat athletic process. The canvas was dropped and often turned in various directions to allow for accidents and the effects of the sand and sea to take an active role in the direction and development of the paintings. Often sea water was poured or splashed onto the surface, obscuring some passages while creating others, washing away areas of paint while creating new opportunities to exploit. Back in the studio these can be further developed and exploited
This is one of those series I constantly revisit.