Meet artist & traveler Pepä Ivanoff
Tell us about yourself
I’m an Australian Artist, Surfer, and Traveler based in Central America. I have chosen a life less ordinary in pursuit of my creative passion. My Art and my Life is a constant and evolving exploration of travel, culture, nature, design, surfing, horses, photography, tarot, color, textures, textiles, Taoism, and all things tropical. To date, I have painted over 200 Murals and countless pieces of custom artwork that are on display in residential, commercial and retail settings in: California, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru.
What inspires the art that you create?
My artwork is both inspired by, and a result of, my nomadic surfer lifestyle. I’m inspired by my travels, tropical vibes (especially plants!), colours, patterns and geometric shapes. I also love fonts and typography. I’m formally trained as a Graphic Designer, and my specialty was textile/print design, and I think my art reflects this, and vice-versa.
What advice do you have for other artists looking
Be authentic! Develop your own style and don’t be afraid to take risks and experiment with new ideas, mediums and materials. Life and Art is a constant process of change and evolution!
When did you start surfing?
I started late! I was 19
Longboard or shortboard?
Both! And everything in between! I longboard 99% of the time but I still love to ride my shortboards/fishes every once in a while. I encourage everyone to have an open mind when it comes to boards.
Dawn patrol or sunset surf?
Dawn Patrol! I am a morning person and I love to start my day in the ocean. I also have a pretty bad pterigyum in my right eye, so I try to avoid the sun after midday. Sunset sessions can be magical, but my eyes do not approve!
Where is your favorite surf break (could be somewhere local to you or somewhere you surfed during a trip)?
At home in Playa Negra
Your favorite quote to live by?
You can’t always get what you want
Current obsession?
Bitchin’ Chipotle Sauce! OMG I put it on everything!
Guilty pleasure?
Pedicures with the massage chair and glossy neon pink polish!
Follow Pepä Ivanoff: https://www.instagram.com/pepallama/
