Let the Wave Art bring you power…

  Our comfort with interior spaces can be a problem in our modern society.  Whether at home, in the office, or a medical environment, much of our time is spent indoors. Due to our shared exterior evolution, this dilemma affects every human who spends a considerable amount of time in the built world. IMG_2129 copyAt EDA Surf we have a solution. Water the wall.  Do this to your modern space and you will feel a subconscious bliss.  Embedded in every piece of EDA Wave Art are natural, holistic, subliminal powers. Customers continually return to our Wilmington, NC Art Studio wanting more pieces based on how they feel emotionally when engaging the water work.  Some say certain pieces, like those of the ‘Seascape Collection’, encourage the spirit to wander, while others report that the ‘Linear Water Collection’ delivers more complacency and tranquil vibrations.  However, the emotions of action, movement and power found in the ‘Breaking Wave Collection’ have shown to deliver the most impacting effects on observers.  It is hard to find a stronger visual stimulus than the aesthetic form of a breaking wave!  Deep biophilic metaphors of strength, power, and determination deliver the necessary encouragement we desperately desire in an interior space. So, the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, in need of motivation, look at a breaking wave, feel the might, and you will be empowered to ACT!
~Ruttkay

 

Linear Movement

The pillar of organic aesthetic form is the line.  In the morning over the ocean the horizon births a new day.  The tree shoots up, the river crawls down, the swell rolls through.  North to south, left to right, wherever we go, whatever we see, the linear path is undulating and driving.  The lined world mellows minds like an offshore wind soothes the sea.  It is intrinsic to our collective existence.  _MG_9684 3Flowing in moments, time moves linear with beginnings and ends constructing our perception of the universe.  It is intertwined in our DNA representing perfect order and stability.  Linear based ‘tranquil water’ Art by EDA Surf is inspired by this ancient knowledge.  Invite the salty linear path into your home, install and experience this conceptual powerhouse.  Live to follow the line less travelled.

The EDA Surf Water Scarf: Wearable Art

From as early on as the Stone Ages, art has served a vital purpose.  It inspires, motivates, leaves room for contemplation, and gives us comfort.  Today in our modern times the substrates available to express an aesthetic message has evolved from the stonewall to infinite substrates and materials.  It is the analysis of Eda Surf that wearable art is the new frontier in art and expression.  Overtime and with a focus on this wearable revelation, EDA Surf will introduce new items each with its own unique conceptual and utilitarian twist.  The first item to be introduced just in time for winter and the holiday season is the EDA Surf ‘Water Scarf.’

What is the EDA Surf ‘Water Scarf’?

Conceptually the EDA Surf ‘Water Scarf’ is a wearable art piece from the linear water collection of EDA Surf.  To the individual wearing the scarf, the feeling of floating or flowing over land or the sensation of crushing through a tropical blue wave during a  morning sunrise is said to be a common sensation when the water scarf is embraced as an accessory.

Physically, each scarf is made of premium habotai silk sized 14″ x 72″ and can be designed in a classic scarf formation or an infinity scarf design where by the ends are seamed.  Starting at $60 each ‘Water Scarf’ is designed and custom made to order by our partnership team in San Francisco, guaranteeing boutique quality.  Order your EDA Surf ‘Water Scarf’ today and feel the power of watering the body!

the talk | “Artist as Entrepreneur”

UNCW

Sean Ruttkay receiving a special University gift from Dr. Harper Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship UNCW.

In 2007, two years after I began my trek into the proverbial ‘Black Forest’ that is art and business, Cornelia (my wife), suggested that I take a seminar that was being offered on entrepreneurship at University of North Carolina at Wilmington.  Initially, I was resistant to the idea.  With the know-it-all attitude of a twenty-something, I thought, “What can these guys tell me I don’t already know about my business?”. It turned out that after attending, I learned I had a lot of work to do and in hindsight it was a pivotal moment in my development as a business owner. What really made this experience extremely valuable was the relationship that I formed with the lead professor Dr. Stephen Harper. Since then, Dr. Harper has become an invaluable mentor, customer, and friend to the EDA Surf brand and philosophy. He has also given me the great privilege and honor to speak on the topic of business and art at UNCW on six occasions with the most recent occurring last Tuesday.

In this particular talk to students, “Artist as Entrepreneur”, I attempt to connect any personal antidotes and stories to broad themes and life lessons in hopes that they are useful and applicable in each of their lives. For instance, I tell the story of how growing up I struggled with extreme dyslexia, so extreme in fact that in the first grade my parents were told that graduation from high school was the best case scenario for my education. But with epic parents, progressive teachers, self-confidence, and hard work, I graduated from UNCW with a bachelor’s degree in (ironically) special-education. I also tell the story about how I learned the fragility of life after I almost drowned and died attempting to take pictures of 20 foot waves at Sunset Point (North Shore of Hawaii). Also, I discussed  the paramount necessity of post-college travel referenced in tales from the start of my image capturing career while living in a van with my wife on the point break abundant shores of New Zealand.  Also, interjected in the talk, are the less sexy “secret” pieces of knowledge in the art business that I have accumulated over my ten years in the game. Some examples are: “How should I price my art?”, “How can I get my art printed?”, “Is it a good idea to approach galleries?”, and “Should I sell online?”.  Below is the full talk from Tuesday.  To the extent you take the time to watch, I hope it is interesting, informative, and maybe even inspiring.

~ Sean D. Ruttkay / @edasurf

EDA Surf Halloween 2015 Backstory

The more experienced humans among us have said that the speed of time accelerates as one ages.  I have found that this fact exponentially increases when one has children.  Halloween 2015 was just my second of many years ahead where I was able to experience the first doorbell ringing of a child’s life.  This, as my fellow Americans know, is a rite of passage as important as the holding of the wishbone on Thanksgiving or as sitting on Santa’s lap and then freaking out.  However, even the one year old ringing that first doorbell knows the awkwardness of ringing a stranger’s doorbell asking for something.  Let’s face it, Trick-Or-Treating is one step away from door-to-door vacuum sales.  But, in the spirit of the tradition and in the smoothness of the pleasantries of the first neighborly interactions of the night, by door three the next generation has the game figured out.  Confidently approach target – smile – say Trick-Or-Treat – get candy – say thank you – and peace – on to the next house!  By the time we were into the last stretch of homes, this mermaid (3) and monkey (1), were moving with confidence, style, and efficiency that would make any sales executive stop and take notes. IMG_6277

As the young children Trick-Or-Treated at the final house of the night, and we stroll down the neighbors driveway with plenty of choice candies, my mind began to drift (given I was the psychological concept of flow… more about this another time) and I began to reflect on how fast we arrived at this point in time.  It seemed summer was just here and now those memories have turned to golden nostalgia.  Then, with the focus and force of autumn’s breeze, it hit me and a shocking realization set in: It is now November and the Thanksgiving / Christmas session has begun.   Scary as this Halloween realization is, I know that with the power of water and the watering of more walls, it is all going to be an epic time ahead.  That was a good ‘flow‘ I thought, now back to the EDA Surf Art studio with the team.

~ Sean D. Ruttkay

EDA Surf and the 2015 Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival

                    After ten years watering the walls and spreading the virtues of doing so, I have been to many events and festivals to spread my message. However, it is only the Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival that I come back to year after year and for two reasons – because it is amazing and awesome! Before I started EDA Surf in 2005, I attended this festival as a college senior in my early 20’s.Then my cup ran full of North Carolina culture, fellowship, and charm with a hint of inebriation. IMG_3399
                  Now more than a decade later and seven Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festivals under the EDA Surf tent complete, I can say hands-down the 2015 Festival that occurred last Saturday was the best.  Over 75 of the nations best craft brew makers and top wineries descended on the banks of the sunny and warm Cape Fear River to share their individual stories, trades, and techniques with the good people of Wilmington, North Carolina.  Like most of these unique brands, EDA Surf was looking to stand out and make sure our message of water as a conceptual power was delivered loud and clear.  To do this I called in ten of my most enthusiastic, water-crazed, high energy EDA Surf ambassadors and proceeded to sticker, tattoo, and talk to every festival goer in attendance.  Consequently, the outpouring of positive energy from the public was immense.  Midway through the festival, there were lines forming for EDA Surf tattoos and cup stickers.  The debut of the new limited addition EDA Surf Haile Selassie tank top went gangbusters and was close to selling out by 4 o’clock.
_MG_5870                     Also, new and exciting, was the debut of the EDA Surf art giveaway which was made known every thirty minutes by a smoke
machine blast followed by a bullhorn alarm and an announcement indicating the start of the giveaway. If you gave us your email address, we gave you a ticket and if you were present for the giveaway and your ticket was drawn, then you received free art. Seven pieces were given away over the course of the Festival drawing large crowds to our tent which ultimately drew greater awareness to the importance of watering the wall.
                       In the end, it was the value of meeting so many supportive and water-loving people that made this event such a success for the entire EDA Surf ambassador team.   If you were one of those people we had the pleasure of meeting or if you were there in spirit, EDA Surf hopes to continue the conversation and talk art with you soon.
– Sean D. Ruttkay
 
 

The Process of Capturing Oceanic Energy

_MG_3816 3Can the energy force of the sea be extracted, transferred conceptually, and empower the human condition? I believe it can through the medium of art.  To the extent this hydraulic energy can be harnessed effectively is the job of the artist.  It is the artist job to know when to approach the chaotic oceanic environment and under what conditions.  When these earthly forces are presented, the energy is palpable in the atmosphere and the artist knows it is time to approach the ocean.  

Recently, earthly forces were presented in a southerly low-pressure system that worked in conjunction with a category 4 hurricane which churned and delivered the EDA Surf region a week of excellent overhead waves and a weekend of turbulent double overhead seas.  This very rare spectacle I knew I had to take action and attempt to harness the visual hydraulic energy.  To do this I needed to view and touch this power.  _MG_3721 2So I transported myself to a barrier island and engaged the aquatic environment.  Using an inlet jetty as a windshield from the prevailing northeasterly gale, my entry into the ocean was calm and organized.  Swimming out into the shaving cream-like foam balls was peaceful, almost blissful in contrast to the slamming set waves that I was to encounter on the outside.
_MG_0692 3When on the outside, I was met with vexing and turbulent currents that thrashed the body intensely for moments then released in an almost a passive calm until the next swell repeated the cycle.  It was during this time between sets that a smooth calm of visual observations were witnessed.  Moments of sunlight beamed through racing black clouds.  On the surface, surfers paddled around large shifty peaks as squadrons of pelicans streamed inches above the same swell walls (as if showing the humans how it’s done).  Sea spray mixed with large tropical infused rain pellets that pierced the face as a low arching rainbow stretched across the barrier island to the west.  Eastbound, when the next set wave was sensed out the back, a large breath of salt air is gasped and a descent to the sandy bottom is taken.  Hugging the ocean floor and still with anticipation, the incoming power is sensed. Then, like a flash of violence, the body is flung topsy-turvy._MG_3366 3  As fast as it starts it stops.  Calm is restored for a moment as ocean visuals are presented once more in another round of glorious splendor.  It will not be until later in the digital darkroom that the extent to which this power was harnessed will be known.  Till then the collection process continues.

~ Sean D. Ruttkay

The Virtues of the Triptych & Diptych

 

Are you looking for a way to display art that will cover a large wall space, be easier to package and transport, and look amazing, all without slamming your art budget?  If so, EDA Surf has your art solution and it’s called a Diptych (2 part) or a Triptych (3 part) display methods.  The triptych and the diptych display methods date back to the dawn of Christendom. Screen Shot 2015-09-27 at 7.06.35 PM Back then, the content being viewed was religious iconography vertically formatted to tall panels.  Shared amongst regional localities, these panels would be stacked and transported to churches where they would be displayed in sets of 2 and 3, covering a large expanse of wall space.  The major benefit with this display method is it’s logistical ease.  Single panels that would cover equivalent space would be extremely expensive (if not impossible) to ship and transport over long-distance.

In addition to this great utilitarian benefit, the triptych / diptych display methods also offer an additional visual boost to the original content.  When the original content is broken and fundamentally changed, the form and feeling can evolve into a new experience. While not all images lend themselves to separating into two or three parts, this method offers an opportunity to allow the larger scale of the art to enhance the viewing impact.  EDA Surf offers many breathtaking triptychs and diptychs upon request. If you are interested in taking your space to higher level of aesthetic consciousness, please contact us today.

-Sean D. Ruttkay