The VC Reporter's ART THROB column recognizes TRUNKS ART surfboard art and signage in this week's edition!

Ventura, CA — October 25, 2012 — TRUNKS ART is one of the features of Claudia Pardo's monthly "Art Throb" column in this week's VC Reporter.

ART THROB: Commission Impossible? Think Again...

In what seems like a never-ending barrage of talk of budget cuts, profit loss, scarcity, and other depressing stuff, it is refreshing to hear that many local business owners and private clients continue to commission artists for work. Surprisingly, many patrons are not even in the business of art; however, they know something valuable when they see it. As artists, we appreciate their initiative. As a community, we benefit from it. Take CURE; a new pharmaceutical company that develops new and advanced methods to deliver drugs to people and animals. CEO and Chief Operations Officer, Robert Davidson and Wayne Nasby, respectively, hired local artist Chuck Trunks to custom make a surfboard sign-- in his trademark pop style—to greet visitors in the foyer of their headquarters in Oxnard. Maverick’s Gym owners, David and Molly Hill, also own a Trunks custom board. It features their logo within icons of Ventura.

Painter Jodi Anthony, who recently exhibited at Fox Fine Jewelry, was commissioned to paint an image of an empowered woman for a life coach who is looking to re-brand her business with a new marketing look. The patron came to see Anthony’s work after she read an article in the paper. Ojai artist, Diane Bennett, was approached by a patron looking to buy art as an anniversary gift for his wife. He commissioned Bennett to paint a retablo with an added quote he provided. Bennet will be exhibiting at the Ventura County Museum this month.

Gull Wings Children’s Art Museum’s new director, Julia Chambers, contracted a couple of artists to create artwork for the re-vamp of the museum. Recognized sculptor BiJian’s Bird on the Roof, is an origami-inspired kinetic sculpture perched on the…um, roof of the museum. It adds a touch of whimsy as it welcomes guests. The key here is exposure. Exposure for artists is possible with the aide of art galleries and newspapers who, in turn, benefit from displaying and promoting their work. It is a very possible mission, then, to gather some momentum from this collaborative effort and take support of the arts to a new level.

To read the rest of the article, please click here to go to the VC Reporter's on-line version.

To see more of my work, please visit my website and blog. If you're interested in having a custom art surfboard brighten up your home, office or business, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to help you! *Sales of all boards are shared with the Surfrider Foundation of Ventura County.

Custom surfboard signage from TRUNKS ART attracts attention and brings in customers!

Camarillo, CA — October 21, 2012 — Going into my fourth year of creating custom surfboard art and signage, I continue to be blown away from my customers who keep finding new ways to use my work in situations I never even thought of. Besides using my boards as signs to attract customers to their businesses, companies are using them as promotional giveaways, gifts to loyal customers and as recognition awards. And while homeowners are hanging the boards in beach themed bonus rooms and dens, parents are having me create boards that feature their child's name with artwork that reflects their interests and personality. What a cool birthday present!

With all this surfboard art and signage activity, I meet a lot of nice people who ask me the same questions about my work. So, I thought I'd provide my loyal blog followers with some FAQs:

Q: What makes up a TRUNKS ART surfboard sign?
A: My finished product consists of a high-tech vinyl adhesive that is custom fit to a new or used surfboard. If the board won't be used for surfing, hardware for hanging is included and installed.

Q: What?! You can surf on a surfboard with the vinyl adhesive?
A: Yes you can. The vinyl is similar to the vinyl adhesives used to cover the NASCAR racecars with all those colorful, sponsorship logos and is rated to withstand harsh sunlight, inclement weather and yes, even ocean water. If the board is going to be surfed on, I'll typically apply the vinyl to the fin side so top side waxing doesn't obscure the artwork.

Q: Other than surfing, how are my surfboards used?
A: Businesses have been using my surfboards for indoor and outdoor signage that usually features the company's logo. Also, restaurants that cater off-site events use my boards to hang on their canopies and trailers to serve as unique signage and as background during photo opportunities. And as I mentioned above, my boards are used as promotional giveaways, gifts to loyal customers and as recognition awards. Non-business owners have been adding my work to their beach themed patios and recreation rooms while proud parents are having me create custom boards for their kid's birthdays, graduations...etc.

Q: Are the boards expensive?
A: My custom surfboard art and signage is inexpensive because I pass along discounts I receive from various surfboard shops. Prices are determined by the size of the board, whether it's used or new and by the complexity of the artwork.

Q: How long will it take me to make one of my boards for you?
A: Since all of my surfboards are custom made, it usually takes me around 2 weeks from start to finish. Selecting the perfect board, creating a specific vinyl template and designing the artwork takes a lot of detail work - but it's totally worth it!

To see more of my work, please visit my website and blog. If you're interested in having a custom art surfboard brighten up your home, office or business, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to help you! *Sales of all boards are shared with the Surfrider Foundation of Ventura County. *Photos courtesy of Claudia Pardo.

TRUNKS ART delivers a custom surfboard sign to Mavericks Gym in Ventura, CA!

Ventura, CA — October 8, 2012 — From time to time, I'll actually come up with a good idea; but in this case, I can't figure out why it took me so long. After growing increasingly weary of a local gym that seemed more like the workout-of-the-living-dead, I instantly fell in love with and joined Mavericks Gym in Ventura in 2011.

The gym had everything: tons of weightlifting stuff, rows and rows of the latest cardio machines, aerobic classes - but - something was missing! How does a gym, located in a beach town, cater to a hefty surfer population without one cool surfboard on the wall? When I approached David Hill, owner of Mavericks Gym, he totally agreed and commissioned me to create a unique, one of a kind surfboard sign that told visitors that they were not only at Mavericks - they were at Mavericks in Ventura. The board features the Mavericks logo floating on iconic landmarks that define the beautiful city of Ventura: the two trees, the Channel Islands as well as the sweetest, tastiest waves in the county.

Besides being terrific to work with, David and his wife, Molly Hill, couldn't have had a better reaction to their new surfboard sign. After the big "unveil," I drove home, logged on to my computer and was surprised to discover a bunch of emails from various friends telling me they saw the new board. How could that be? I just left the place. Turns out, they hoisted the board (fins and all) up above the front desk and plastered photos of it on their facebook page - all in about 30 minutes! See that? These guys are both flattering AND efficient!

To see more of my work, please visit my website and blog. If you're interested in having a custom art surfboard brighten up your home, office or business, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to help you! *Sales of all boards are shared with the Surfrider Foundation of Ventura County. *Board-on-pier photos courtesy of Claudia Pardo.

TRUNKS ART is unveiled at the Gull Wings Children's Museum in Oxnard, California!

Oxnard, CA — October 1, 2012 — On Sunday, the Gull Wings Children's Museum had its' grand re-opening to celebrate new exhibits, structural upgrades, additional programs and of course - fresh artwork to signify the museum's new era under Julia Chambers, operations director.

When the director of the Gull Wings Children's Museum asked me to create something colorful and unique for the grand re-opening event, I knew I had to include three very important aspects that put this little museum in a class of its' own. First, it is located in Oxnard, a culturally distinct city that continually draws from its' agricultural and industrial roots.

Secondly, the museum is situated only a few miles from the iconic beaches known throughout the world as 'Surfin' USA!' And last but not least, the museum itself. Within the heart of the city's historic downtown, the Gull Wings Children's Museum offers thoughtful insight into the only two natural resources we have: the physical world we live in and the children that are running, jumping and playing in the middle of it.

To see more of my work, please visit my website and blog. If you're interested in having a t-shirt, sweatshirt, mug, tote bag or other items with the Gull Wings design on it, please visit this link to my on-line store, Attractive Abstracts. A portion of all profits are donated to the museum. *Photos courtesy of Claudia Pardo.