How did your partnership with Liquid Force begin?
It had to be '96 or '97. I used to go to trade shows and paint surfboards live at the shows. At the time, we were experimenting with a new way of painting surfboards. We were trying out crazy, out-of-control graphics that were more like skateboard graphics than something you’d see on a surfboard at the time. Jimmy Redmon (Liquid Force’s founder) had seen some of the work I was doing and wanted something like that for the Trip. He had developed this new board and he wanted me to do the graphics for it.
Can you tell us about the original Trip graphic?
The Trip graphic was all about Alice and Wonderland - and the trip. Jimmy wanted a big, cheesy style. I can remember him saying he wanted it super happy. As for the design itself: The wave has a nice curve to it. Like the wave coming off a boat. The front design is covered with bubbles. It’s all about the water. The Trip was painted by hand with Posca pens. The original painting was 4-feet tall. I also did the lettering by hand. What’s great is that this is the board that a lot of people used when they first got into wakeboarding. And it brings back great memories for them - all the good memories they had out there riding the board.
Where do you see your work headed in the future?
I’m looking forward to slowing down a little and not doing as much production. I study climatology and physics. And I’m so into nature and I’m fortunate to be able to travel. I feel all these things have given me a broad perspective on the world, science and human nature. I want to do some pieces that affect people and make them think. Right now, a lot of people are revaluating their lives. I want to inspire people to create meaningful things - to wake up every day and create the world they want to live in. If everyone was doing that, think about how different things would be.
Can you tell us about your philosophy?
No matter what type of cards you’ve been dealt, you do the very best you can. You want to be a positive influence on your community. Maybe it’s your family. Maybe it’s your town, city, state or country. I never set out to do anything but be happy and be a good person and it worked out. Everyone can learn from that. You have to show up every day, listen and be easy to work with. Do that for long enough, and you’ll arrive somewhere you’re proud of. That’s how the Trip made it out into the world. There’s a method to it that really works.
How have outdoor sports influenced your work?
Surfing and board sports force you to be in the present. Time slows down. Just that experience of being in the elements - it just does something to you. We should all be grateful for that. It all wraps together. I’ve also been lucky to meet so many amazing, creative people in the surfing world. You feed off each other.
Learn more at @drewbrophy