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News and Events From the Surf and Fine Artist Nathan Paul Gibbs
My Top 10 Paintings of All Time
My Top Ten Paintings of all Time - According to me
Now that I have entered into my 10th year of professional painting I have decided to start a yearly tradition. Each year I will put out my top 10 paintings of all time. Each year some may fall off the list, and some may come back. Each painting is subject to losing a spot, or being rearranged. This is my personal top 10. There may be some paintings that are on there for various reasons. The reasons could be technical ability, content, meaning, or emotional connection.
I would love to hear your comments on my list. If you are a fan of my art, let me know if something should be on the list that is not.
Thanks and enjoy, Nathan
10. "Central Coast Surf" 2006 - Acrylic on Canvas - 20" x 36" (Sold) This painting was part of a series that attempts to reflect the gloomy, pre dawn light and conditions of central California. This whole set was purchased by the same person. It made the list for color usage.
9. "Negotiations" 2008 - Acrylic on Panel - 24" x 30" (Available for purchase) I created this as part of a new book I am writing. It has roots in the Byzantine Empire Iconic art from the middle ages. It shows a maiden of water as a messenger. She is being pulled in two ways. That of water conservation and good, and its opposite. Much symbolism involved.
8. "Save Gaviota" 2009 - Mixed Media on Panel - 24" x 48" (Sold) This was painted for a fundraiser to save the Gaviota Coast in California from development. I included symbols of the central coast. One of my favorites from this series.
7. "Find your favorite Energy" 2008 - Mixed Media on Panel - 24" x 48" (Available for Purchase) This piece attempts to let the viewer know that there are more than fossil fuels available for use on Earth. How many can you find in this piece?
6. "Found Deep in Secret Hawaii" 2007 - Mixed Media on Panel - 36" x 60" (Sold) This was a custom piece done for a client for their house in Hawaii. Much like #8, it includes many symbols of Hawaiian culture.
5. "The Release" 2009 - Mixed Media on Panel - 28" x 36" (Available for Purchase) This was a wonderful painting to create. I didn't even come up with the idea of where to place the surfer until the end. It was fun creating all the different versions of waves and faces in the painting.
4. "The Energy" 2010 - Mixed Media on Panel - 24" x 56" (Sold) I did this commission piece for a client this year. It was a wonderful experience since she provided me with a very wonderful description of her life, soul and feelings. There were only a couple of requests for subject matter. It was difficult to "paint someone's soul" but she said I accomplished it.
3. "Escalation of Commitment" 2008 - Mixed Media on Panel - 24" x 48" (Sold) This one a piece where I attempted to show conflict between the ocean and messengers of the water compared versus the oil-techno-conglomerate. The action in this piece makes this one of my favorites.
2. "Surfing is not always Physical" 2008 - Mixed Media on Panel - 24" x 96" (Sold) I wanted to show a 4 dimensional, metaphysical piece that show the other side of surfing. It is a large piece and I was able to communicate a lot through it.
1. "The Betrayal of Man" 2008 - Acrylic on Panel - 48" x 48" (Available for Purchase) This was another like #9 above. This was a very symbolic piece showing the struggle between the Earth producing fossil fuels that actually are killing her. The surfer is ready to fight against it, saving the old and tired ocean (right) from death.
Top 10 reasons why my garage is the best art studio I have ever had...and how to make 1.4 million dollars while doing it
Why my garage is the best art studio I ever had...and how to make 1.4 million dollars while doing it...
So I was thinking the other day about a major decision I made in the last year or so. You see many artists have an "art studio". This is where they go to focus, be creative, and create their art. It can be simple or can be extravagant. Many artists use the studio as a place to meet clients and store their work.
A couple of years ago I was sharing studio space in San Clemente at a co-op gallery and work space. It was good to be around other creative people. But I found myself chatting more than painting. Also I had to drive about 25 minutes from my house to get there. So after about a year I left and worked in my garage (aka Man Cave).
Later I started to get an itch to have some space. With the birth of my little girl my garage started to get cluttered with non "art inspiring" items like strollers, toys and other baby stuff. It was getting cramped.
About a year ago my wife lost her job as a teacher and we were forced to make some tough financial decisions. It was then I was getting ready to pay for studio space where I thought I could be most productive. However I had to scrap that idea and stay in the garage. I decided to make the best of it. I built hanging shelves and and organized. It freed up a lot of space that was cluttered. Since then, I have made some of my best, most thoughtful and intricate work ever.
***I do have a storage unit that holds many of my pieces that are not currently being exhibited.
Here are my top 10 reasons why the garage is the best studio space.
10. Food and Drink. As much as I want to say I don't need to eat and drink when working on art, I do. My entire stock of food, and beverages (even adult) can be found at home. Otherwise I am packing a lunch, dinner, or drinks to the studio.
9. Music/Internet. In a studio sure you can listen to music. But unless you are alone, it needs to be with earphones. In my garage I can ramp up the Fela Kuti or other tunes without worry of other artists, or neighboring businesses. Also I have wireless internet at home which allows for research for the art, which you may or may not get at a studio.
8. I own it. As of now, I own and not rent my condo. So I can basically change, paint, modify, break, destruct, or chill at will. There is not any "open hours" or landlord who tells me what I can or can not do to the walls or space.
7. Clean up. Now depending on your situation you may have to, or want to clean or organize your studio whenever you leave in case you have a client pop by and peek in the window. Since mine is in my garage, there are no windows. In fact most of my showings for clients are by appointment. No quick clean up or worry when someone drops by a public studio. This also tags on with number 4 above.
6. All of my materials, tools, and supplies are there. When I used to go to the studio in San Clemente, I would have to pack up much of what I wanted to bring since I worked on art at home and there. I would then have to bring it home so I could use it if I got the urge to create. Also I couldn't take any of my wood working power tools into that studio. All frames, wood bowls, found object sculptures would need to be done in my garage anyway. Big hassle.
5. Privacy. While sometimes it can be beneficial to be around other creative people, as I said earlier in this post, to me I was very distracted. I can work 4-5 hour stretches at home with little or no interruption.
4. Production. With regards to number 5, I feel I can produce a lot more when I am at home. I now average about 3 pieces a month. Whereas before I was lucky to finish 1.
3. It is close to home. When I used to have to drive to my studio I would waste almost an hour in the car. When it is in my garage, well when I am inspired, I am right there. Not to mention late night sessions don't require me to then drive home, or sleep in the studio.
2. Inspiration. Almost all of my art comes from either life experiences, travels, or seeing something. My garage is full of that. My 10 surfboards, wetsuits, unfinished projects, travel items, souveniers, pictures, mountain bikes, camping equipment, collections of magazines and just about everything else in my life that wont fit in my house. All of these I draw memories and inspiration from that would not generally be in a studio.
1. Cost. As an artist, financials should be the deciding factor. After all the other things are considered, does it out weigh the cost? How much art do you have to sell in order to make a profit above your cost of the studio? Do you have to pay electric? Gas? Internet? Phone? Building fees? Deposit? When the garage is your studio much of the extras are already included. A studio could cost you anywhere from $500 per month to $2000+ per month depending on size and where it is located. Now you may say that you can sell art out of the studio, but you also have to consider if it is zoned commercial. Otherwise the wrong city inspector could fine you for doing business out of the studio if it is not zoned. On the cheap side you could pay $6000 per year or upwards of $24,000 per year or more after utilities etc. That is quite a bit of art for the average artist. Obviously this doesn't apply to you if you are a popular artist who makes a lot of money. Then cost isn't a factor. But if you do art over 40 years and pay a studio that is $5000 per year (cheaper side) could be invested and turn into a lot.
Here is an example of what you could make from the age of 25 until "retirement" (not that artists really retire) at the age of 65.
According to a Roth IRA calculator this is what you would earn:
Starting balance
0
Maximum contribution for 2010
$5,000*
Actual contribution for 2010
$5,000
(Contributions increase
to the maximum
allowed each year)
Total contributions
$215,000
IRA Total at Retirement
$1,428,229
Taxable savings account
$844,911
Difference
$583,319
Now I hope I could earn $1.4 million dollars in my art career by age 65. But can I? And even if I do, am I saving that money or spending it on a studio....
The crossroads: Mildly cool or illegally lame? Stealing your art and doing it poorly on a Surf T Shirt.
The crossroads: Mildly cool or illegally lame?
Some times in life you are hit with something completely unexpected. With a little bit of luck it won't be costly towards your health or your pocketbook. This last weekend at the Festival of the Wales in Dana Point, I was hit with something completely unexpected. What is worse is I can't decide if it is mildly cool or illegally lame.
My wife, daughter, and I went to the Festival of the Wales to kill some time, check out some of the art booths, people watch, see the paddle board scene, and maybe see a whale. What is great about the Festival is you hardly ever see whales. In order for that to happen you should take a charter boat out and hope for the best. I heard some girl on her cell phone talking to a friend, "No I haven't seen a whale yet." You can hear that a couple of times every Festival.
As my daughter was in between having a conversation with her ballon parrot and sprinting in any direction other than where we were going, I saw my first ever Festival Whale! Oh the majesty of it! The look was more than I would have ever expected.
You see that whale? Well the shirt he has on is mine. Let me say it this way, he didn't steal the shirt from me..per say. Well actually he did. This is a knock off, scam job, counterfeit, fake, what ever you want to call it. That is a painting I did, and the name of my t shirt company, Define Surf. In fact that is a design on a t shirt. Except me nor my printer (that I know of) printed this out.
Fake shirt above and real shirt below. Notice my signature is not on the fake one above.
At first I saw this guy wondering how to broach the subject and asked, "Hey bud cool shirt, where did you get it?"
He replied, "Huh?"
I repeated, "Cool shirt, where did you get it?"
"Dunno. Maybe a thrift store... a dollar ninety-nine?" he said.
"Dollar ninety-nine? Well, that is my art, and my company and I didn't make it. So I want to know where you got that?" trying to remain civil I decided to read his body language. Did this guy have a back pack full of em? Was he selling them here? Looking up and seeing neither my wife nor my daughter I scanned around for them among the dogs, art booths, and blue hair. I turn back and the whale was gone. Just as quick as he came. This can't be happening! I am in the toddler stages of my t shirt company's life and I already see a fake!
I scramble to catch up to my family. I tell my wife immediately what I saw. For a moment we don't even know what to say.
This is where I had a crossroads.
This little marketing gnome on my right shoulder whispered how cool it was...how someone liked my design so much...my art...my branding..my whatever and put it illegally on a t shirt. I mean I have seen Hendrix or Marley knock offs, even a couple of fake Quiksilver tees over seas. But my shirt? Kinda neat the gnome implied.
Then on my left shoulder the little elf of justice was coaxing me to go look for him. Get a cop. Call my printer. Do something you ingrate! How could I not want to find out who dares use my intellectual property without my permission. How lame! and not to mention illegal!
You can see from the difference in quality in the photo I am not too worried about the short term conflict. But what of the future? Can I compete against my own designs at $1.99? I will put myself out of business. I am not even completely done reprogramming myDefine Surf website with surf t shirts and other designs I have created. Could the web be an accomplice? The real shirt retails for around $19.99. One friend who heard later when I put the experience on Twitter asked if I signed the shirt for the guy.
After I heard that, I thought maybe I should have. The guy probably didn't care who the hell I was though. It wasn't like I was Ben Harper finding some guy playing burned CDs of my music from the black market. "Oh hi Mr. Harper, I know this is a pirated CD, but can you sign it?" Hmmm...a whole other perspective there perhaps.
So as we walked back toward the car, I started forgetting what just happened ready to resign the experience to a low grade fever or some food poisoning hallucination I didn't know I had. Then luckily for me my wife needed to use the restroom. We stopped in front of a Mexican restaurant. Just then for the second time in my life I saw a whale at the Festival! Oh the luck! That is how I got the picture above and confirmed it was not food poisoning.
Mildly cool? or Illegally lame?
-Nathan Gibbs
Feature of my assemblage art on CWOCA.com
Leftover Reef
New interview and article on me and my art in Your Local Surf Magazine
Stoked to be in the magazine with Sunny Garcia. Check it out!
Feature on MeSurf.com
Check out a cool little feature on MeSurf.com on my art on fins.
Nathan Donates 9 Painted Fins to the Life Rolls On Foundation
Nathan Gibbs donates 9 painted surf board fins and a painting to the annual Night by the Ocean - Life Rolls on Fundraiser.
Fins painted by Nathan Gibbs
Life Rolls On Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for young people affected by spinal cord injury, today named professional surfer, Rob Machado and actors Simon Baker and Jeffrey Donovan as honorary event chairmen for the 6th Annual Night by the Ocean Gala to be held on October 4, at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Calf.
Painting donated by Nathan Gibbs
As the organization’s single-largest fundraising event, the Night by the Ocean Gala is aimed at honoring those who have made extraordinary contributions to the spinal cord injury community.
“Through its various programs, Life Rolls On has motivated, inspired and pushed the bounds of possibility for so many,” said Donovan. “I’m honored to be involved with such a worthy cause and look forward to playing a part in drawing awareness to this special event.”
Night by the Ocean has raised more than one million dollars to support quality of life programs for young people affected by spinal cord injury. With live a live performance by musical guests Fiction Family, featuring Switchfoot front man, Jon Foreman, and guitarist Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek, the inspirational event will feature Wolfgang Puck-catered cuisine, hosted bar, live and silent auctions and touching stories of courage and hope from extraordinary honorees.
“We’re privileged to have the continued support of such respected and well-recognized individuals,” said Jesse Billauer, founder of Life Rolls On. “As surfers and long time friends of the Foundation, we’re excited to have each of them involved in this important event within the action sports industry.”
Past honorary event chairpersons for Night by the Ocean include Minnie Driver, Kelly Slater, Jason Mraz, Sal Masekela and Dominic Purcell.
See more of Nathan's work at DefineArt.com and NathanGibbsArt.com
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