Ring of Confidence

Marty C · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 1055 Location: Mandurah, WA

This is Taj Burrow at the 2010 Margaret River Drug Aware Pro. Currently ranked number 3 in the world, he has a very good shot at taking the World Title this year, as his surfing is going to a new level.
The reference photo for this was taken on the day of the finals. In the Quarters and Semis he combo'd his opponents (this means they needed a combination of rides to overtake his score, a very tough position to recover from). In the final he also combo'd his opponent, Josk Kerr, and with seven minutes to go, everyone, including his opponent, thought he'd won. Josh said he was going in, and caught a wave. With nothing to lose, he took heaps of risks, and landed two aerial manoeuvres on the one wave, scoring a ten. He paddled out, and as he was going out, caught another wave, did another air, his score ending up just in front of Taj, and ultimately winning. The crowd were going nuts, it was a big upset and hugely exciting.
The reference for this was in the semis. I had never seen a spray pattern like this, I showed a number of people, including pro photographers, and they had also never seen such a pattern. It says something of the speed, torque and power needed to produce a full 360 degree spray, ending with his board totally vertical, and still pulling off the move. Quite a surfer!
I actually used to judge Taj when he was a junior, and always felt he would go a long way.

On canvas, 60cm x 150cm or 24" x 60

_________________
"Hey, your painting looks like what it looks like" Homer Simpson
www.martinclarke-art.com

Devilbiss · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Posts: 3214

Beautifully painted and a great story behind the painting as well! Very Happy

The wave looks thick and translucent.

gggraph · Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 6:32 am Post subject: Re - Ring of Confidence

Beautifully executed Marty... I was about to move this thread to the Photography section (really).

Grant

The Pook · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 2904 Location: Tasmania

Have you thought about selling these paintings of surfers to the surfers themselves?

Marty C · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 1055 Location: Mandurah, WA

Hi, Daniel, thanks very much.

Thanks, Grant. I have had lots of comments comparing it to a photo.

Hi, Greg, I did a piece last year of the surfer who won the comp, Dan Ross. Someone sent him an email about the piece, and he ended up buying it.
_________________
"Hey, your painting looks like what it looks like" Homer Simpson
www.martinclarke-art.com

Wenz · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Queensland

This is amazing, Marty! It doesn't matter how long I look at it, it still looks like a photo. And a great shot, too.

Marty C · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 1055 Location: Mandurah, WA

Thanks heaps, Wenz.
_________________
"Hey, your painting looks like what it looks like" Homer Simpson
www.martinclarke-art.com

belle2 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Newcastle

This is great. It is obviously a labour of love.

Marty C · Joined: 23 Jul 2005 Posts: 1055 Location: Mandurah, WA

Thanks, Lyn, really nice to hear from you.
_________________
"Hey, your painting looks like what it looks like" Homer Simpson
www.martinclarke-art.com