SurfPaints Interview Series
We hand-select individuals from our community to hear the stories behind their designs.
Welcome to the Surfpaints Interview Series!
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? What surf club are you a part of, if any?
Hi! I'm Rob, 50 (Dad), and Sailer, 8 (Son). We are members of the Eastern Surfing Association, St. Augustine Florida District, and Sailer is sponsored by Aqua East Surf Shop.
2. We'd love to know how you came across SurfPaints. What aspects of Surfpaints do you find most appealing or inspiring for your art?
We discovered Surfpaints through some Instagram ads. Sailer has displayed a natural artistic ability, so we thought, "What better way than to combine his love for art with his love for surfing?" Our favourite thing about Surfpaints is how easy they are to use—applying beautiful colours effortlessly and easy to put on and take off when necessary.
3. Sailer's painted surfboard has captured our attention. Could you share with us the story behind that and how you came up with the idea?
Sailer observed several pieces of artwork shared by other Surfpaints users and gained inspiration from the possibilities. He then developed his own vision for how he wanted his board to look. This is where I highlight his natural artistic ability, a trait he possesses but his father does not. Sailer can envision something in his mind and has an exceptional ability to bring it to life on paper.
4. Could you share specific challenges you've encountered in your art projects, and how Surfpaints have been a helpful resource in overcoming these challenges?
Challenge #1 began with his first project, the one featuring the colour camo pattern you've seen. He initiated the project with his mom while his dad was out of town. Sailer felt immense pride in his creation, and I was equally impressed. However, Sailer, driven by his perfectionist attitude, decided to redo his design. Dad conducted some research on how to remove Surfpaints, and we were able to easily remove it with minor hand sanding and mineral spirits. The Surfpaints website provides an excellent tutorial on both application and removal.
5. Do you have any tips or advice for other artists who may be interested in working with SurfPaints or upcycling their own items?
Here are some tips: start by reviewing the SurfPaint website. Take the time to read the 'how-to' section, as it provides simple instructions on applying and removing the paint as needed. You'll also find numerous prior Surfpaints creations to inspire ideas.
Before applying the Surfpaints pens to your final project item, practice on a similar surface. We used an old fiberglass skimboard for testing, assessing how the colours looked and how easy it was to remove within the first 60 seconds versus after several hours.
For a neat result, outline your intended drawing with a pencil first, then trace over it with the Surfpaints pens.
Bonus Question:
What message or piece of advice would you like to impart to other parents who have kids with a passion for arts and surfing?
Advice? I don't personally possess great art abilities, but it was a lot of fun for me to simply let go and enjoy the creation as it unfolded. I was there to help clean up and organize things as needed.
The best advice I could offer is: "JUST TRY IT". As parents, we are always looking for fun and beneficial activities to do with our children outside the house, away from electronics. Surfpaints can make any surfboard look BRAND NEW. The coolest thing about it is that you can change your mind anytime you want and create a new masterpiece with your child.
-Rob & Sailer Dunagan
If you would like to be part of Surfpaints Interview Series, email us at support@surfpaints.com