Meet artist & creator Tash Chapman
Tell us about yourself and your creations
I live on the east coast of Florida. I draw, paint, and also run Chapman at Sea, a surf supply company I started in 2012. I handmake utilitarian style board bags on an antique Singer sewing machine.
My drawings & paintings are usually of local tropical landscapes & surf-related things. I like to paint on wooden panels, skateboards, thick papers...anything with texture.
What inspires the art that you create?
It’s inspired by the way I feel when I’m outside all day and a part of the natural world. I love that easy laid back feeling you get from surfing and it makes me so happy I want to try and share it. In a way, my artwork is like a scrapbook of my life.
I’m inspired by the landscape, plants, and animals of my home break on Florida’s east coast because those are the things I see when I’m on my way to having those good times in the sea. I like flowing lines, like from the ocean, and soft colors, like the way the world looks when you’ve been playing under the sun all day and everything is sunbleached.
When did you start surfing?
It was about 10 years ago. I don’t why I didn’t do it earlier, I was always at the beach and I used to skate, but it wasn't until a few friends told me I should try surfing and loaned me a board that I actually had my love of the ocean and board sports all come together.
Longboard or shortboard?
Depends on the conditions. I got into single fin mid-lengths about 5 years ago, so that’s what I spend the most time on. But the waves are often pretty small here in Florida and if possible I want to surf every day, so I love a longboard too.
Dawn patrol or sunset surf?
I aspire to dawn patrol! Mornings are so lovely but if I’m honest you’re probably more likely to see me out at sunset. As much as I want to be a morning person, it’s always a struggle. Also is surfing not possible during the day in some places? Because I’m a big fan of the all-day-surf-session.
Where is your favorite surf break (could be somewhere local to you or somewhere you surfed during a trip)?
It’s incredibly important to me to be happy and make the most of what you have. That philosophy is a big part of how I live. So while surf travel is awesome, the times that mean the most to me are the ones spent at home. Most of the time you’ll find me at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. I love the breaks in Boca Raton and Delray Beach too, because that’s where I learned to surf.
Your favorite quote to live by?
“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy” So much of our culture is about living for tomorrow but I think today is really beautiful and I like to appreciate the things that are here now.
Current obsession?
Coffee. I’m such an addict. Why’s it have to taste so good? I even drink decaf half the time just so I can have more.
Favorite song lyric? or Favorite band/musician?
“I’ll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin” it’s a Dylan lyric
Follow Tash @chapmanatsea
See her collection:
