Defining Art, Culture, Trends and Events of Our Times

The crossroads: Mildly cool or illegally lame? Stealing your art and doing it poorly on a Surf T Shirt.

2010-03-15T03:51:00Z

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 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

Nathan Gibbs Art

@surfartist

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Wallpaper

2010-03-04T20:36:00Z

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

2010-02-23T05:41:00Z

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!

Became a fan of reading all the silly Facebook groups out there.

2010-02-16T05:32:00Z

I think it is pretty hilarious seeing all of the Facebook groups and fan pages that get created. Here are some ones. See if you can tell the age that created them.

"You look tired" - Thanks for kindly saying I look like crap.

gwen stafani tought me how to spell bananas.

Pandas are the least racistt animal, they're black, white AND asian!

Teacher Why are we taking notes if were never going to look at them again?

I thought you were hot until I clicked on "View More Pictures"

You laugh when your teacher says she is giving the class an ORAL report.

I think Facebook will be around for quite a while.

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week

2009-12-09T04:34:00Z

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week

Here is the newest painting for your pleasure! Save it and use it for free wallpaper. Surf Art you can appreciate!

"Central America Surf" - Nathan Paul Gibbs

12" x 12" Acrylic on Panel

Art Show at Gallery 104 - New Art from Nathan Paul Gibbs

2009-11-19T02:51:00Z

Artists' Reception: Novemebr 20th 2009 / 6-9pm
drinks • hors' deouvres from the Cellar • live music by Michael Stevens • art from over 20 Artists

Hope to see you there. If you mention this blog post, you get 25%

New published book: Define Art and Surf, A Journey into the Storied Mind of Artist Nathan Paul Gibbs

2009-11-12T17:58:00Z

I am pleased to announce the completion and publication of my second book.

It is entitled:
Define Art and Surf,
A journey into the storied mind of Artist Nathan Paul Gibbs

It is available here at Blurb.com
You can also get a full preview of every page at the link. It is available in hardcover image wrap or hardcover with a dust jacket.

Hardcover, Imagewrap

All ourbookstore-quality Hardcover, ImageWrap books are professionally printedby placing the cover image directly on the front and back of thehardcover, creating a smooth, sophisticated effect. ImageWrap coversfeature a durable matte finish and library binding. There are no coverflaps.

About Hardcover, Dust Jacket

Allour bookstore-quality Hardcover, Dust Jacket books are professionallyprinted with durable library binding and 8 pt. black linen hardcovercases with laminated 4-color dust jackets with front and back flaps andprinting on the spine.

The book contains over 100 full color images on 80 pages! It is printed on premium paper. This 100-pound text silk-finish paper features improved opacity over our standard paper and stellar image quality. With explanations, quotes and more that will get you thinking about surf art and art in a whole different way. The format is large landscape 13" x11", which makes it a great coffee table book.

Right now I have 2 specials going on.

1. Purchase the book and get that cost in credit towards an original piece of art.

2. Purchase original art over $600 and get a signed copy of the book for free.

Pass it along, thanks for your support!

Define Art Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Desktop Wallpaper

2009-11-05T19:38:00Z

Greetings Surf Art Lovers.

Here is your next painting of the week and free wallpaper.

Catalina Smog II 17" x 25" Mixed Media on Panel by Nathan Gibbs

This is a recent work of mine. I painted a view from Laguna Beach towards Catalina Island. The sunsets we get are amazing here. However, without the smog and air pollution they would not be as attractive.

Enjoy! Spread the love. And share my blog. Buy art, sell art, show art, make art.

First Ever Twitter Art Auction Using TweetBid Technology

2009-10-28T03:18:00Z

SEE THE ARTWORK at the preview site: http://www.140hours.com. All the rules for the auction are listed here.

I am offering one of my best and most recent pieces to support this new idea to promote and sell art. It has a value of $3200 and starting bid is $400 with no reserve.

Follow on Twitter @140hours and @surfartist (nathanpaulgibbs) for updates.

New interview and feature on MeSurf.com

2009-10-22T15:27:00Z

Go check another feature on my art at a great surf site, MeSurf.com

Nathan Gibbs Art on Fins

Thanks!

Define Art Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Desktop Wallpaper

2009-10-13T19:17:00Z

Greetings Surf Art Lovers.

Here is your next painting of the week and free wallpaper.

"Cloudbreak" 12" x 20" Mixed Media on Panel by Nathan Gibbs

This was an experiment on size. Cloudbreak is an enormous wave in Fiji. This was one of two paintings where I painted very minute waves as if you were looking at them from far off. Just as if you see them in real life, they only look manageable when they are that big. Surfers can understand. Cloudbreak, Fiji....Using wood, stain, paper, toner transfers, sketches, found objects, paint, and a multitude of other sources turn the meta-physical into physical. These are originals only. I have not created a surf art prints series for this yet, as it is difficult to capture the way the materials work on the wood. "Surf art redux" it has been called. I want the viewer to increase their memories real or not, of favorite places they have been or want to go. Surfing trips I have been on have inspired this expressionistic Surf Art series. I hope you enjoy your tour into my traveled mind.

Buy art, sell art, make art, love art, be art

Art Show at Gallery 104 - New Art from Nathan Paul Gibbs

2009-10-13T06:20:00Z

Come see the new surf art from surf artist Nathan Paul Gibbs.

Define Art Terms of the Week - Photo Realism and

2009-10-01T17:57:00Z

Here are your next two art terms of the week:

Photorealism

Photorealism is a style of art in which scenes are painted in a style closely resembling photographs. "The subject matter is frequently banal and without particular interest; the true subject of a photorealist work is the way in which we interpret photographs and paintings in order to create an internal representation of the scene depicted." This was a movement popular in the 1960's and 70's.

- Malcom Morely

Pointillism

Pointillism is more focused on the specific style of brushwork used to apply the paint. The artist uses tiiny dots of primary-colors. When grouped they will create the secondary colors. It is an offshoot of Impressionism, and is usually categorized as a form of Post-Impressionism. This was popular in France in the 1880s. Georges Seurat was one of the most notable pointilists.

- Hippolyte Petitjean

Buy art, love art, make art, sell art..

Nathan Paul Gibbs

-entries adapted from artcyclopedia

Define Art Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Desktop Wallpaper

2009-10-01T17:30:00Z

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week

Hello all,

Here is the next free screen saver, Enjoy! Just right click and save.

"Deep in Placement Drift" by Nathan Gibbs
Mixed Media on Panel - 16" x 24"

In recent times I have decided to work in the symbolism of surfing into my acrylic painting. One of the main symbols,or icons of surfing is the "fin" or "skeg". It is essential to the concept of wave riding, especially while standing. Placement Drift is a term I use for long boarding. It refers to fin placement, drifting right or left and how those two interact. Here I combine that aspect of surfing in the art, with a little abstract MC Escher (if he did surf art) with the palm trees. Using wood, stain, paper, toner transfers,sketches, found objects, paint, and a multitude of other sources turn the meta-physical into physical.

Stay tuned for the next one....subscribe to the blog!

Painted Surf Board Fins and Surf Art donated to the Surfrider - Life Rolls on Benefit - Nathan Gibbs

2009-09-23T18:32:00Z

Nathan Gibbs donates 9 painted surf board fins and a painting to the annual Night by the Ocean - Life Rolls on Fundraiser.

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.

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

Invitation PDF

Nathan Gibbs Art Show - Gallery 104

2009-09-16T05:16:00Z

Define Art Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Desktop Wallpaper

2009-09-16T04:56:00Z

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week

"Find a Faint Memory and Believe"

Take yourself way back, and look into your mind....what you though was fictitious, can be real if you only believe...This was one of the first of the series and this style. I wanted to go easy on the colors so the wood grain would show through. The yellows really come out in this smooth. I also used more water than usual to thin out the paint for that dreamy look. Using wood, stain, paper, toner transfers, sketches, found objects, paint, and a multitude of other sources turn the meta-physical into physical.

27" x 36" Mixed Media on Wood Panel - Nathan Gibbs

See more at Define Art

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week and great Wallpaper if I may say.

2009-08-27T04:08:00Z

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week - Find One Find, Lagoon

Welcome back! Here is your next free wallpaper. Please use it, share it, but if you make money off it, you better come clean!

Taken from a compilation of feelings reflecting the Central American Coastal countries. Using wood, stain, paper, toner transfers, sketches, found objects, paint, and a multitude of other sources turn the meta-physical into physical. These are originals only. I have not created a surf art prints series for this yet, as it is difficult to capture the way the materials work on the wood. "Surf art redux" it has been called. I want the viewer to increase their memories real or not, of favorite places they have been or want to go. Surfing trips I have been on have inspired this expressionistic Surf Art series. I hope you enjoy your tour into my traveled mind.

"Find one Find - Lagoon" - Nathan Paul Gibbs
Mixed Media on Panel 18" x 20"

Buy art, love art, sell art, make art, be art.

Define Art Surf Art Painting of the Week - Free Desktop Wallpaper

2009-08-12T16:25:00Z

Define Surf Art Painting of the Week - A Master's Perfect 10

Welcome back! Here is your next free wallpaper. Please use it, share it, but if you make money off it, you better come clean!

This is a new one inspired by the Billabong Pipeline Masters Contest held every year on Oahu, Hawaii.

"A Master's Perfect 10" - Nathan Paul Gibbs
Acrylic on Panel 16" x 10"

Please support our sponsors. And remember, buy art, love art, make art, sell art, live art.

Art Show at Gallery 104 - New Art from Nathan Paul Gibbs

2009-08-08T19:03:00Z

6-9 pm