Style: A Painter's Portfolio

Indonesia and its waves are a huge influence on my life and style. This was based on a photo from Brian Schwien. Photo: Phil Goodrich
"HT's Sunset." Oil on wood. My first wave painting. Based on an iconic Pete Frieden photo. Photo: Phil Goodrich
When the East Coast breaks like this, I forget about Indonesia. Too bad it doesn't happen all the time! Based on a photo from Ryan Mack. Photo: Phil Goodrich
There are many talented surf artists so it's a challenge to step into the arena. I try to find interesting perspectives when I select a photo to use as reference. Based on a photo from John Ocean. Photo: Phil Goodrich
One of my favorite things about painting waves is the variety of unlikely colors within the wave. This one was based on a David Puu photo. Photo: Phil Goodrich
"Neon Nica." Oil on wood based on a photo from Matt Clark. Every one of his photos is stunning. I like to leave part of the wood showing in each painting. Photo: Phil Goodrich
The ultimate view. GoPro cameras and talented water photographers have allowed surf artists to create excellent perspectives. Photo: Phil Goodrich
"Old Boy." Oil on wood. Painted on location while visiting Nias. It is an early example of my oil portraits. Photo: Phil Goodrich
Another wave from The Outer Banks. Beautiful wood, based on a stunning image from Daniel Pullen. Photo: Phil Goodrich
I found a beautiful piece of aged plywood in our attic. I can usually find the contours of the wave within the grain before I start a painting. This one is based on another photo from Matt Clark. Photo: Phil Goodrich
Telos Island octopus hunter. Based on a Shane Peel photo. Photo: Phil Goodrich
I moved back to the East Coast in 2008. The Outer Banks of North Carolina has some of the best waves in America. This painting is based on a Matt Lusk photo. Photo: Phil Goodrich
A painting to illustrate the interaction between surfing and indigenous culture. Rip Curl Asia used this image on a t-shirt to benefit Silabu village next to Macaronis. Photo: Phil Goodrich
My friend Emi and I went on a surf trip to Haiti. We were sitting in the lineup when we heard this incredible saxophone player practicing somewhere in the hills. He asked me to make a painting based on that session and it gave me the idea to combine portraits with surf art. Photo: Phil Goodrich
Every surfer's dilemma: keep your wife happy or go surfing? Photo: Phil Goodrich
I love painting blues musicians. This is Othar Turner, fife player, and the wave is Stradbroke Island. Based on a Trent Mitchell photo. Photo: Phil Goodrich
After watching the movie "Good Fellas," I got the idea to re-create the old lady's painting with waves in the background. Photo: Phil Goodrich

A portrait of the artist, Phil Goodrich.

My style is a blend of what I originally set out to do, what people told me I should do, and the compromise in between.

1983. My crew of 12-year-old dreamers were discussing the possibility of entering our first surfing competition. We rode our bikes down to Melbourne Beach where an ESA contest was in full swing. The Menehune division final was in the water and our minds were blown away by a tiny, dark-skinned prodigy on a fluorescent Kechele surfboard. For the next six years, until he joined the World Tour, Kelly Slater dominated us in every way. My childhood bedroom is littered with 4th and 5th place trophies and it took me a long time to come to grips with the fact that I would never make it as a professional surfer.

I decided to move to California and attend university to study art. Developing a fluid, effortless style in and out of the water became paramount. Studying portrait artists like Gustav Klimt and John Singer Sargent was like watching Kelly Slater surf. I didn’t reach their level of mastery, but developing a recognizable style was my way of carving out a niche in the world.

For many years, I tried portraiture and figurative painting using pastels on wood. In 2005, I switched to oil paint and continued with various types of figures on wood. I was able to sell some paintings but it was never easy and the question always came: “Do you paint waves?”

For whatever reason, I wasn’t interested in surf art. In late 2010, my wife and mother talked me into attempting a wave painting. I started with a small 10″ x 10″ painting of Lance’s Right on wood and posted it to Facebook. The response was relatively immediate. I got more “likes” than ever before and it sold within 24 hours. For the last three years, I’ve enjoyed exploring the genre of surf art. I am thankful to the photographers that have allowed me to base paintings on their photos. Recently, I have been experimenting with combining portraits and surf art.

See more of Phil’s work at www.philgoodrich.com, check out his Facebook page, and see more of his work and what inspires him on Instagram: @phil_goodrich_art