Sports | Recreation

Hawaiian koa wood and resin colorflow painting in integral sapele frame
30″ h x 78″ w (can be hung vertically as well)

Please contact for oversized shipping quote.

Reflecting his love of this land and it’s endless horizons, Tim creates mixed-media paintings that sparkle in the light. His creations highlight the natural beauty of koa wood and combine all of his skills as a furniture maker and stone slab fabricator. His work serves to remind us to breathe deep, relax, and appreciate the beauty of nature. They can be found in private and corporate collections across the globe. 

Acrylic on canvas with white float frame

26.5" h x 75.75" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic inks on Yupo paper - unframed
40” x 26”

Shellac, India ink, acrylic & oil on wood panel

64" h x 44" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Shellac, india ink, & acrylic on wood panel

36" h x 60" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Acrylic on paper, matted with white frame

22" h x 33" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Shellac, india ink, & oil on wood panel

60" h x 36" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Acrylic on paper, matted with white frame

22" h x 33" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Oil on linen 
48” h x 72” w

Oil on linen 
28” h x 72” w

Acrylics on surfboard 
86" h x 22" w

Focusing primarily on geometric abstraction, this new endeavor brings together two of Alex's passions–art and surfing. 

Shellac, india ink, and acrylic on wood panel

24" h x 24" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Shellac, india ink, acrylic, oil on hand wood-grained paper - unframed

10" h x 8" w

Ethereal and light, Carol Bennett's women in water are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. 

Shellac, acrylic, & India ink on wood panel

35.5" h x 23.5" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Acrylic on paper (4 parts) with white linen mat and white shadowbox frame

82.5" h x 31.5" w (can be hung vertically or horizontally)

Please contact for oversized shipping quote.

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

Through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on canvas with black float frame

72" h x 25.25" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper (4 parts) with white linen mat and white shadowbox frame

82.5" h x 31.5" w (can be hung vertically or horizontally)

Please contact for oversized shipping quote.

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

Through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on canvas 

48" h x 36" w

"There are all kinds of paddling out," shares Mark. "As surfers we paddle out solo, in packs and for memorial. We sit in circles, lines and random collections of unique individuals. Boards drifting back and forth with the movement of the ocean and the energy of this gypsy like community. United by a simple shared experience of being in that place, at that time, riding those waves. The power of the now is real and raw. Named for a famed surf spot on the Kona coast, this paddle out is drawn from a childhood memory of a sunset session with friends, mentors and local heavy hitters."

 

Acrylic on canvas 

36" h x 48" w

"There are all kinds of paddling out," shares Mark. "As surfers we paddle out solo, in packs, and for memorials. We sit in circles, lines, and random collections of unique individuals. Boards drifting back and forth with the movement of the ocean and the energy of this gypsy like community. United by a simple shared experience of being in that place, at that time, riding those waves. The power of the now is real and raw." 

 

Acrylic on canvas 

36" h x 48" w

"There are all kinds of paddling out," shares Mark. "As surfers we paddle out solo, in packs, and for memorials. We sit in circles, lines, and random collections of unique individuals. Boards drifting back and forth with the movement of the ocean and the energy of this gypsy like community. United by a simple shared experience of being in that place, at that time, riding those waves. The power of the now is real and raw." 

 

Acrylic on canvas 

36" h x 48" w

"There are all kinds of paddling out," shares Mark. "As surfers we paddle out solo, in packs, and for memorials. We sit in circles, lines, and random collections of unique individuals. Boards drifting back and forth with the movement of the ocean and the energy of this gypsy like community. United by a simple shared experience of being in that place, at that time, riding those waves. The power of the now is real and raw. Named for the infamous Santa Cruz surf spot that is cold, heavy and territorial." 

 

Acrylic on paper, matted with white frame

22" h x 33" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Oil on linen 
54” h x 72” w

Acrylic on paper, matted with white frame

22" h x 33" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylics on surfboard 
86" h x 22" w

Focusing primarily on geometric abstraction, this new endeavor brings together two of Alex's passions–art and surfing. 

Shellac, acrylic, oil & India ink on wood panel

35.5" h x 23.5" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Shellac, India ink, acrylic, oil on wood

23.5" h x 15.5" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper

14" h x 11" w image matted at 20" h x 16" w 

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboard fins are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes and sizes of fins, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic on paper, matted with white frame

22" h x 33" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Shellac, india ink, acrylic & oil on wood panel

30" h x 40" w 

 

Acrylic, oil & varnish on wood panel

48" h x 48" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Acrylic on canvas - unframed

22" h x 80" w (can be hung vertically or horizontally)

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Shellac, india ink, acrylic, oil, spray enamel, block printing ink,  & art resin on wood panel

108" h x 36" w (three sections)

The Story Sticks: by Carol Bennett 

It occurred to me that surfing, like other daily practices, is always the same yet always different. Conditions, the tide, vibe in the water, and time of day vary–actually the only thing that is consistent is the surfboard itself, and if that surfboard could talk it would have stories to tell.

This is one of my three monolithic “Story Stick” triptychs, that I made anticipating my room at the Surfing Hawaii Exhibition, at the Maui Cultural Center. 

My son rides a $100 Costco Wave Storm, which I used for my template, so what you see is true to size. While I used a multitude of processes and materials, I wanted the dominate hit to be graphic. I carved big linoleum blocks, and a polka dot roller, my intent was to have patterning that is reminiscent of old school Hawaiian shirts and surf posters: Tommy Bahama meets Endless Summer. 

Acrylic, oil & varnish on wood panel

32" h x 60" w 

Carol Bennett’s ethereal and light “women in water” are reflections of her own passion for the ocean and her daily practice of spending time in it. They’ve inspired her to explore fishing nets and knots, abstract fish patterns, surfers and stand up paddlers. Her background working in Hollywood as a journeyman scenic artist, painting billboards and backdrops for theater, motion picture and TV has led her to create grand-scale public works in glass that can be found in Hawaii State Art Museum, Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii Convention Center, Beverly Hills Hotel, Harrah’s Casino, and many more. She’s had numerous museum shows and continues to create her wide variety of work from her home and studio on Kauai. 

Acrylic on paper, matted with white frame

22" h x 33" w

Growing up on Hawaii Island, Mark Ley has spent every spare moment in the ocean. Diving, surfing and exploring. When his daughter came along, he shared his love of the ocean with her and over the years, his ohana developed their own form of treasuring hunting. They scour the reefs and beaches, gathering the bits and pieces left behind by other ocean explorers. And surfboard fins, stuck in the reefs, became a favorite find.

But collecting them wasn’t enough.

These reclaimed surfboards are then used to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Using acrylic paints and carefully constructed color palettes, Mark dips the fin into the paint and then presses it onto paper—memorializing the board, the special time with his family, and cleaning the reefs—all while providing us with original works of abstract art.

“There’s an incredible scope of shapes of boards, each with its own story and genre,” shares Mark, and through his work we become ocean explorers ourselves.

Acrylic inks on Yupo paper - unframed
40” x 26”

Clear shellac/ amber tinted shellac/ YinMn Blue acrylic on Yupo paper - unframed
40” x 26”