Art permeates every corner of surfing right now. Is it that creatives are drawn to wave riding, or that waveriders are compelled to create? Probably a little of both.
This week, I got to talk to Jay Alders, who is everywhere. Rarely is there any surf-related art gig where Alders hasn't done some kind of painting, donating, curating, promoting, or attending. Consider this interview a glimpse of the inspirations of an artist who is quickly gaining unbelievable notoriety.
Plus, it was an excuse to interview a homeboy from New Jersey.
Jay Alders is everywhere these days! All over the world. What gives?
What an intro! (laughs) Thanks, it's certainly nice knowing that people have taken notice of my work. I have never been more fulfilled with my career than I am right now.
I certainly don't travel even close to how much some of my musician friends do, but it's not uncommon for us to take 15 to 20 flights a year. Whether it's a surf trip to Costa Rica, or an Art and Music tour throughout Brazil, or flying to Colorado to snowboard, it has become a very addictive lifestyle to regularly explore the world and share my creations.
Unlike some other businesses, in art it's all about a genuine connection. Sure there's politics to deal with, but generally it all starts out with someone seeing my art, feeling an emotion from it, and taking some level of ownership of the image.
It seems that every time there is any kind of surf-related benefit, whether it be a social or environmental cause, it seems that you're name and work is there with Bloch, Fairey, and Brophy.
Some people wait around for opportunity to come knocking. I prefer to just build my own door and open it.
Those of us who go through life passionately pursuing our talents on a career path must make it a priority to have our work in the public's eye as consistently as possible. My Dad taught me at a very young age that being an excellent artist alone is not enough. He drilled it into my consciousness to learn about marketing, sales, business, and having as many varied art skills as possible.
I've certainly had a lot of great events that I've been blessed to be a part of lately. To name a few, I was asked to paint a guitar for the Billabong/Donavon Frankenreiter event "Cosmic Creek" and donated some signed Surf Art for the Billabong's "Design for Humanity," which raised money to protect drinking water. Billabong has really shown me a lot of love and I am stoked to be involved with such great people.
I recently designed the packaging for the vitamin drink, Emergen-C Blue, which is tied in to raise money for Surfrider, which I strongly support. I've done a lot in Florida recently — a huge Surfrider 25th Anniversary Festival in the early summer, a Surfrider art auction last month, SurfExpo at the end of the summer, and The Slater Invitational, which raises money for The World Skin Cancer Foundation.
Let's see, I donated art for Surfrider San Diego's 9th Annual Art Gala and am featured in SIMA's 2010 Calendar, Robb Havassy's "Surf Story Project," and have done a lot of work with SurfAid, which is raising money for the Padang Earthquake victims.
Historically speaking, we define generations and culture by the greatness it produces. Being an artist is a respectable and admirable pursuit and it is my responsibility and duty to continue that legacy.
See you are everywhere. I can't get over how many art auctions there are for great benefactors these days. I certainly don't ever remember so much philanthropy in the past, or the awareness in the surf world of original art.
For full interview check ESPN SURFING at
http://espn.go.com/action/surfing/news/story?id=4642004
