Art, surfing & my new site

To give it all you’ve got, you’ve got to give something up.

In 1996 I sold my entire first exhibition of painted canvases to Uri Geller, the famous psychic and spoon bender. In my naivety I thought I was a made man, on my way to artistic super stardom and wealth. The dream was mine for the taking, villa on the beach, tropical sunshine, perfect set up, rights and lefts on my own personal point break heaven, limitless travel. No stress, no more money worries. Hmmmm it was all too good to be true. Very soon I realised that there was going to be a lot of hard work involved with making my particular dream a reality.
In truth I’m pleased that it didn’t turn out quite how my rampant imagination had foreseen. I would not have had all the wonderful experiences I have had, met all the beautiful people I have met, I may not have learnt the things I’ve learnt.

Now I’ve never been too keen on writing about the paintings I paint, words never quite grasp what I am getting at; That is probably why it is said “an image speaks a thousand words”. My art is almost entirely a visual experience, I like to create work that has instant aesthetic appeal, I love colour, symmetry, and geometrical harmony. I like pop art, optical illusions, mystery; I like the art of Escher, H.R Giger, Dali, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Alex Grey, Bridget Riley and many others. I don’t make art that needs an intellectually lofty essay in order to understand it. It is what it is. The experience of good art for me is timeless, it takes you beyond the fetters of the monkey mind to still appreciation.
All that said, I do have a little something to share of my experience of making art, of surfing and of inspiration.

I’ve always been keen on drawing; I like to sit with nothing more than a blank sheet of paper, a pencil, and a quiet mind. This is how I mainly work when developing new ideas for paintings, just be open and allow whatever it is that will be drawn to be drawn, get the mind out the way and trust the Unknown. In a similar way surfing, and skateboarding put you in the moment, it is hard to be anywhere else but here and now when you are dropping in on a wave, if you’re thinking of tea and cake you will more than likely end up on your face. The state of mind that constitutes the experience of the moment is actually a state of no-mind, unnecessary thought waves have quietened to stillness, this one-pointed focus of attention allows the body to do what it must do in order to ….get you along the wave, shake your hips with the hottie to your right, place a broad exact stroke on a canvas when you only have one pass. Paradoxically to give it all you’ve got, you have to give something up. Anxiety is a useful co-partner in this, and it’s pal adrenaline, but they are not always necessary. Practices such as yoga and meditation aim at teaching full conscious control over this seemingly spontaneous reaction to external conditions, so that life can be led with ease, awareness and ultimately, happiness. And it really is happiness that we are all after. Surfing, painting, skating, they are fun activities, they make us happy, and that happiness comes from mental stillness. A quiet mind is a happy mind! In these timeless moments we are at one with creation, we have transcended our limitations; there is joy, bliss and harmony. As artists, surfers, human beings we are all instinctually drawn to these states & experiences of unity however we can come by them. They are wholesome, nourishing and heal us physically, and mentally. Thankfully they are also more or less free of monetary charge (after you have the basic equipment). It is a shame though, alcoholics, drug addicts, and many other addictive personalities are searching for the same states but with a substance or action that has negative consequences, many of us have been there at one time or another.

I feel blessed to have been drawn to surfing, skating and creating. They have filled my hours with inspiration, and so much fun; And taught me much about what is really important in life. I owe it to the Unknown to keep surfing, skating and creating till I drop.

In 2000 I moved to North Devon, near Croyde. I have been living and working here ever since. We have great, if somewhat inconsistent & busy waves, I get in whenever I can My paintings are permanently exhibited in the “Blue Groove” restaurant in Croyde. Blue Groove is co-owned by two friends and fellow surfers Rob Colwill and Matthew Pine. They have been going strong since 2001, I got involved with the interior design of the restaurant from the start. Over last winter I re-designed and painted the interior of their new premises. I mainly use airbrush, but work in a variety of mediums. I have had many different interesting commissions from large-scale mural work, to painting surfboards and customizing vehicles, but creating paintings for the hell of it remains my passion.

A week ago I launched my new website, at www.conorwilson.co.uk you will find Unique Original paintings for sale, the highest quality affordable photo prints in a variety of sizes and mediums, detailed portfolios of past Art commissions from Wall murals to Interior design projects, step by step technique guides and praise that my work has received. This new site showcases the fruit of the past 10 years of my artistic career. Drop me a line if you like what you see, and be sure to check back in regularly for weekly Blog updates, special offers on prints & paintings, competitions, exhibition news and all my latest art.