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Nathan Paul Gibbs
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So far sooo good. My free art giveaway stoking people out. $7000 later.
Fortune has been smiling upon myself and my family lately. I am blessed with good energy and vibes around right now. So I decided to give away some art to either friends, fans, Facebook folk, or my Twitter followers. No rules, no obligations, you just come by and pick some out. Now not all of my work is being given away, and I must admit that I am doing a sort of house cleaning. But art sitting in my studio should be enjoyed, and I need some space.
Some of you may be thinking wont that devalue his art? Wait! I own a piece of his art and I paid a lot! understandable concerns, but think of this logic. The more or my art is spread around, the more people recognize the name, the more people see it, the more value it brings to the art already sold and future art. I have had tons of people all over the world bummed they can't hop in the car and get here to get a piece. If you think you are just gonna hold out and get something free instead of buy it, well this is the first time I have done this in 10 years. So I guess you could wait if you want. But alas that was not my point to increase the value of my art, I did it for stoke, mine and theirs.
In just two days, I have given away 11 pieces, valued at over $7000, of art. A couple of people have been complete strangers, never met them face to face, and a couple have been friends. There is a different feeling inside of me when giving someone a painting they are excited about. Sure, I am in this to make money, I wont kid you, I enjoy a good payday. But the feeling of passing on beautiful art to someone who could not or would not pay is unbeatable. How often will I give art away? I don't know. I do donate art to charities multiple times per year. But someone still pays for it eventually. One friend, Brad brought one of his friends since he had a truck. That friend, whom I have never met, was offered a piece by me, but politely declined since he had no space. However he asked if I would give one to a charity fundraiser for a cancer patient in Huntington Beach his family was friends with. I declined, and said no, but I would give 3.
Below is a rundown of the 10 pieces I have gifted to strangers and friends in 2 days. All originals.
1. Balance 48" x 48" Value $1290
2. Hand Turned Wood Bowl 10" Diameter Value $180
3. Assimilating the Past 12" x 12" Value $390
4. Introduction to Assimilation 24" x 30" Value $690
5. Joel Tutor Portrait 24" x 30" Value $690
6. Meet a Memory - Urban Indonesia 12" x 17" Value $590
7. Power Trip 24" x 36" Value $790
8. Sunrise Flower 24" x 36" Value $780
9. The Fire is out 20" x 24" Value $390
10. Assimilation Complete 12" x 12" Value $390
11. A portrait of the great chief "Sitting Bull" 32" x 40" on weathered wood pallet. Value: $890 (no picture)
So anyway, if you are local or not, and can get to my studio (by appointment) in the next few days, I can add more to my list. Give a little, get a little.
Cheers,
Nathan
A new surf art painting for your beautiful eyes
This one is called Documenting Destruction
Nathan Gibbs' art and interview featured in an IPhone and IPad application.
I am proud to announce that an interview with me and art of mine has been featured in a Your Local Surf Magazine IPhone and IPad application. My article is in Volume #2.
Get it here.
My surf art surf art looks gorgeous on the screens. Also includes Holly Beck, Kelly Slater and more...
It is produced by Your Local Surf Magazine . They did a great job in creating a visually stimulating application to enjoy.
"All Mixed Up" Group Show at the C.A.P. Gallery Laguna Beach
I hope you can join me for the "All Mixed Up" artist reception on Saturday June 19th 11am-2pm. I will have my famous collage "The Bald Eagle Flying Blind". See
below for a preview and information is on the flyer. The exhibit will run from June 15th - September 7th.
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Define Surf Art painting of the week - Free desktop wall paper
Hi all, here is your next free surf art wallpaper. Remember no profit from it please. If you wish to reuse it for $$ or business purposes, then please contact me at nathangibbs@defineart.com
This is a custom piece recently completed entitled: "The Energy" 24" x 58" Acrylic on Panel.
Enjoy!
See more surf art surf art at my site.
My top 10 personal Surf Art 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...
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:
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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?
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 my Define 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
Define Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Wallpaper
Hi all, here is your next free surf art wallpaper. Remember no profit from it please. If you wish to reuse it for $$ or business purposes, then please contact me at nathangibbs@defineart.com
This is called "Everybody knows but us". 12" x 19" acrylic on canvas.
Meaning all life but humans knows that we are destroying the planet. You can see an elephant, bures, and a whale that also doubles as a wave.
Remember, buy art, love art, be art, sell art, make art.
Define Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Wallpaper
Define Surf Art Painting of the Week and Free Wallpaper.
I know it has been a while, but here is the new painting of the week entitled:
"Direction Lost" 24" x 24" Mixed Media on Panel
Enjoy! And remember even though you can use this as wallpaper, I own the damnthing so there is a copywrite, do not use it for business or profit.
Have a great day!
