Get to know artist Rachel, Surfy Birdy
Tell us about yourself and your creations
Hello my name is Rachel and my retro surf art goes by the name Surfy Birdy. I am a flower child born in the wrong era wandering around in the now. I started out painting live at a music festival about 12 years ago. I set up with my umbrella and a beach blanket and have been doing art shows ever since, although now I do pop up markets outside my camper van while chasing waves and less music festivals. I try and spread positivity in my art and share my love of the sea and the goodness it brings. I love to paint with acrylic paint on scrap materials like wood or sustainable earth friendly items. I also love to illustrate creating hand drawn images that I scan in to create digital drawings. I just hope to spread smiles and stoke.
What inspires the art that you create?
I draw inspiration from the 60s/ 70s, flower power, old surf mags/ films/ photos, and things that make my soul smile, inspiring sea people, places I have been, places I dream of going, the fabric from the quilts my great grandmother made, my mom's old retro clothes, I try and draw inspiration from anything that makes my heart happy.
What is the biggest challenge you face as an artist/entrepreneur?
I am the most unorganized artist/ creator lol, one day I will have my website shop figured out but mainly sell my art from outside my van or out of my suitcase.
When did you start surfing?
I went to a week long surf summer camp to new symerna beach florida with my local surf shop island water sports at the end of middle school with my best friend and sister, and was hooked ever since. That same summer I also went to Costa Rica with my family (my dad's a surfer too) and that really sealed the deal. I dreamed of living in Costa Rica and being in Pura Vida forever.
Longboard or shortboard?
I definitely am in love with longboarding, it is like dancing with the sea. You are forever learning a new dance. To connect with the wave to cross step and dance to the nose, to feel the rhythm of a wave and cruise with it, it's magic every time. But I also love a little egg as well, I’d say for me it’s a love of single fins.
Dawn patrol or sunset surf?
Oh to have both is really the magic combo. To wake up to some glassy goodness filled with colors of a new day and to end it with the sun sinking into the sea, those are both such a gift to the soul.
Where is your favorite surf break?
I have so many loves of surf breaks, every place I have been to has a magic spot that I am in love with. I will just say the places that have some magic spots and magic sparkly people I have met in them as well are New Zealand, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Florida. I am forever dreaming of the next favorite surf break.
Your favorite quote to live by?
You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Henry David Thoreau
Hidden talent?
How do you find these?
Current obsession?
Rishi marsala chai w oat milk, I love you so.
Guilty pleasure?
Cinnamon rolls forever
Favorite song lyric? or Favorite band/musician?
John Lennon, imagine
Favorite artist?
Anything else you’d like to add:
Thanks so much for creating this platform and spreading surf art from all over the world so many inspiring lady sliders / creators, happy to be included.
Please follow Rachel @surfybirdy
And purchase her creations: https://society6.com/surfybirdy
