So here we are again. The annual SURF ART Blog. 12 years. Funny, that's really a drop in the bucket for those of us who have been drawing and painting waves and surfers. And honestly? You can't have a Surf Art column without mentioning Rick Griffin. His cartoons and paintings are the pillars of surf art. I can say without any hesitation that Rick Griffin's art was my main inspiration
growing up as a young "Gremmie". Yea, you read that right. Young surfers back in the early to late 60's were called Gremmies-not Groms.

At any rate. Griffin was the man. I know I'm not alone in my accolades. I'm sure Stan Chew agrees. His art is heavily influenced by Griffin. Same with Alex Deconstant. The Murphy cartoons alone were the staple of all of the surf cartoons that followed. And all three of us were fans of Griffin.



Looks and sounds corny now. But back in the early 60's, this was the Surfer's icon. Including the "Cowabunga" call. We all did it back then. Some still do it today. But usually the people who yell Cowabunga today have no idea where it came from, nor do they know anything about surfing.



As time went by Rick became more creative and more, oh what's the word for it? Oh I know. He became more high. Yup. He smoked weed and experienced some of the more powerful hallucinogenics. The 60's was, well you know. Flower power. Peace and Love and Rock and Roll. And the surfers from both coasts were riding that same train.

We got high. And we drew cartoons.

I have mentioned in the past how a dear friend of mine would spend hours in class doodling Murphy Cartoons. Man I wish I had some of them today.

They were classic drawings done with a ball point pen. We would draw the Murphy characters surfing and skateboarding.



Whatever Rick Griffin did. We did. I would give anything to get those early Murphy type drawings back. Problem is, our teachers would confiscate them and rip them up in front of our eyes. Like that was going to make us stop drawing waves and surfers? Hardly. We were young and resilient. We'd just draw more. And they would take our drawings and rip them up.

As I got older and went off to college, I was able to keep some of the drawings I
did while attending The Art Institute of Boston. It was while I was there, that my creativity really started to soar. I may have smoked some weed back then. You know, to get the creative juices flowing. Here's a result of that process.



My late friend Joe and I had a code name for weed. We called it Eame. This guy (above) was the Eame Patrol. They would come looking for the hippies and surfers and take their weed. I mean their Eame. The large feet would allow the Eame patrol to run fast and leap very high. The large one eye was like a Fish eye lens. They could see everywhere. The item he's holding in his hand is not a gun. It is a Eame detector. Complete with a Eame detecting tongue. Silly I know. But we had a blast drawing them. And like surfing, drawing Surf cartoons and painting waves and surfers is fun to do. Oh and FYI I have been 100% sober since 1988. Just in case you thought otherwise.

This BLOG has some great surf artists. From the aforementioned Stan Chew to the (IMHO) the best Surf Artists on the entire coast. Sam and Hannah Vokey. Sam's paintings are amazing. They almost look like photos. And Hannah's paintings with surfers are second to none. She's the best in that category.

There's other artists too. My sister Donna Baldasarri is a super talented fine artist. He dreamy seascape scenes are perfect for any seacoast home. Then
of course there's the unique art of Erik Zak and his amazing carvings. Every surfer should have one of his wave carvings. They are unlike anything you've ever seen before. So be sure to check them all out in the galleries.

So I mentioned nature's art. If you saw any of the sunset displays last night, you know what I'm talking about. Just an amazing display of God's work.



There are three galleries of the amazing sky over our seacoast last night.


So beautiful. It was beyond words.

Thursday saw the 2nd SURFING WITH SMILES event of the Summer.
And like all the prior SWS events, this was another great day.
photo by John Adams.



There are two galleries of this night down in the photo/gallery section.
Do check it out. I love seeing the smiles on both the participants and the volunteers. They don't call it Surfing With Smiles For Nothing.



This is surfing folks. This is surfing. photo by Max Fatello


"Surfing With Art and Smiles Heals All Wounds"

Sunrise pics were one of Ed's specialties. he loved getting up before the sun on some of the coldest winter days to get these beautiful sunrise pics. He also got some sick satisfaction knowing that I wold be jealous of his pics later on when I finally got up. Truth be told, I loved his sunrise pics.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.
Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.



There you have it. Today was the day. if you missed the deadline, there's always next year. Just remember that the Surf Art column will be posted in late July again. So you have a whole year to create something cool. Get on it!



The 9th annual HIT THE BEACH has a firm date. August 28th, 2016 at 18th Street in Hampton. As of today, we do NOT need any more volunteers. We have a big roster of volunteers from the last 9 years. If we need more, I will let you know. Thanks.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
This is your choice people. Cast your vote. Blue or Red.



I really have nothing good to say about either one.



You almost have to wonder how important the last name of the VP choice comes into play. CLINTON KAINE sounds good and looks good on paper.



The same with these two. TRUMP PENCE. It has a certain ring to it. In fact, I am willing to bet that both of these VP choices had a lot to do with their last names.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
You know you had to think that KSM was wanting to get in on the Surf Art Blog. So the good folks at GITMO gave him some paint and paper and let him create some surf art. The jury is still out on the Sheik's art. But it just goes to show you that anyone can draw and doodle.



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of Acrylic paint at Home Depot this week.


Congrats to Jess and Maureen on their amazing
FLASH wedding last night on Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth/Kittery. July 23rd, 2016
Happy Birthday Mel Grasso July 24th, 2016.
Happy Birthday Judy Dombrowski July 25th, 2016
Happy Birthday Nick Africano July 26th, 2016
Happy Birthday Ronnie Chane July 26th, 2016

Please Pray for local Hampton surfer Terry Morrison and his family. Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten.
A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer.
PLEASE say a prayer for him.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph






CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!


OK check this out. Seacoastonline did a story on me and the blog. Just click on the pic below and look it over. It's pretty short, so most of you can handle it. Besides, it's just a different perspective of someone you already know. Me.


Click me. click me. click me.

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) This is one of my favorites. "Gulls On The Breeze" it's 32 x 36".
I am infatuated with gulls. And this painting has it down.
July 24th, 2016 Painting by Sam Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) "F Street Path in Rye" 30 x 12". I don't know about you, but I can feel my feet in that sand. July 24th, 2016 Painting by Sam Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


Today- The Amazing Art of Hannah Vokey. July 24th, 2016.
Paintings by Hannah Vokey



(Above) It's untitled but it looks like Stevie. Either way, it's another exciting
piece of work by Hannah. She captures the actual surf action better than anyone. Outside of using a camera that is. 18 x 24" Oil on canvas.
July 24th, 2016 Painting by Hannah Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) It's another UNTITLED. Can't you feel the pivot? 24 x 24" Oil on wood.
July 24th, 2016 Painting by Hannah Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Another UNTITLED. That's a great bottom turn. 9 x 12" Oil on canvas.
July 24th, 2016 Painting by Hannah Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is a special painting for Tony Berardini. His old VW bus.
Parked at a local spot. And just three guys out. Tony, Kevin, and me. UNTITLED. 9 x 12" Oil on canvas. July 24th, 2016 Painting by Hannah Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Main SURF ART GALLERY. July 24th, 2016.
Paintings by Stan Chew, Donna Baldassari, Phill Munson, and art from so many
other talented artists. And a must see Carvings by Erik Zak



(Above) This is another outstanding artist who hails from Hampton but has traveled the world and seen it all.;. He is currently living in Panama where he gets to surf these beautiful tropical waves. Hence his inspiration is clear.
He calls this "Morning Light Deep in the Bay." Oil and varnish glaze, 18" x 24" Nobody paints like Stan Chew. Thank you brother. July 24th, 2016
Painting by Stan Chew *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I come form a very talented family. Musicians, artists, designers. My sister Donna has honed her style after many years of working with oil. She is highly sought after for many of her out door paintings. This called "Beach Path" oil on canvas 30 x 36" and yes it's for sale. July 24th, 2016
Painting by Donna Baldassari *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Elena Rowell is one of my favorite human beings on the planet.
She sent this UNTITLED painting on wood a few days ago. I was so stoked
to receive this. I like it Elena. If you ever come back for a visit,make sure you stop by, we would all love to see you again. July 24th, 2016
Painting by Elena Rowell
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Incredible Sunsets and Clouds. July 24th, 2016.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Not sure if anyone I know or know of could paint this. Last night.
July 24th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Look for your Patch of Blue. July 24th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Stacked sunrise. July 24th, 2016 Photo by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Sunrises like this don't last long. You need to be patient and ready.
John was both on this morning. July 24th, 2016 Photo by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) How can anyone look at this and not think that it was done by
something so powerful and beautiful? I mean come on. This is God's work.
July 24th, 2016 Photo by John Adams
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery