Loggin’

The assertion in my previous post that it’s always better in than it looks was tested today, with a tiny, wind-blown peak the only option available. But we still had fun, especially Azza, who was riding his new log that he shaped himself. So in honour of the Log, and of going out and having fun in all conditions, are these little typographic ditties (typefaces inspired by reading through the book Design Connoisseur by Steven Heller and Louise Fili, a great resource for any professed ‘typophile’).

Where there’s a will...

This little (albeit fairly illegible) drawing is a homage to my husband Joe, who always tells me that when checking the surf I should remember “it’s always better in than it looks”. He is usually right, and as a result we have enjoyed numerous waves on what would appear to be less-than-ideal days, with nobody else about. When it comes to surfing, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned so far is that “where there’s a will, there’s a wave.”

Type Assemblage #1

Recently I've been experimenting with typographic assemblages based on surfing nomenclature. Visitors to our house often wonder what the meaning of our giant blackboard, covered in surf terminology is. Well, this is it! This particular assemblage was created with a classic twin-keel fish in mind. I've got a few of these up my sleeve, which I will continue posting from time to time. So stay tuned!

Valla 40th anniversary tees

I recently designed a couple of tees for Paul and Sage Joske at Valla (saltwater constructs) for their 40th anniversary. Paul has been shaping boards since 1970, and is a master craftsman. His boards are as much works of art or instant family heirlooms as they are surfing equipment (and they're exceptional examples of surfing equipment). Sage is now carrying on the tradition. All I can say is one day my kids will have a pretty impressive collection of heirlooms!

From what I gather the tees have been really well received by their customers, and I know I feel pretty special wearing mine around town.

Derek Hynd & The Worthys

Recently Surfing World (that tasteful and prestigious Australian surf publishing institution) ran a portrait competition to honour surfing's outstanding individuals. I entered this portrait of Derek Hynd, which, lucky me, is featured in Surfing World's 300th edition, and is also going to be part of the upcoming Worthys exhibition (check surfingworld.com.au for details).

Derek is such a cerebral surfer – to watch him surf is almost like witnessing a stream of consciousness played out on the face of a wave. Or something. And his pioneering of the new "finless revolution", not to mention collaborating on out-of-the-box surf projects with such top Aussie blokes as Richard Tognetti, made him an obvious choice. If he ever sees this, I hope he likes it.

Numero Uno

As this is my first ever post to my first ever blog, I felt it should be something profound...

But I got nothing.

So instead, here's a little drawing I did for my friend Aaron Frost who shapes boards under the monicker Sea Legged. It's the result of a particularly slow day whilst on holidays up north, and came as a welcome break from yet another game of scrabble (although I still love scrabble).