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Graphic Design to the Surfing Industry
Posted in: Art, News by Richard Harvey on March 12, 2010 | No Comments
As a part of Harvey Surf it has always been my intention to provide a graphic design service to the surfing industry. With my 15 years experiences working with elite surf company Billabong it only seemed natural to continue this type of work, although now combined with the variety of making a few boards and doing some art.
One recent part of a corporate image remake was a project for Southcoast Foam. You may have seen their new delivery van driving around.
The Ferry to Banyuangi
Posted in: News, Stories by Richard Harvey on March 11, 2010 | No Comments
Gilimanuk, a small port on the western side of Bali, was the departure for the ferry to Java. Like most island ports it was a cacophony of people and bustled with various forms of transport. Horse-drawn carts pulled in among buses stacked high with passengers and luggage. Large trucks, loaded to overflowing, slowly made their way up a creaking gangway accompanied by directions shouted from those trying to squeeze more vehicles into the tightest of corners. The ferry gradually filled with buses, trucks and cars until the lower level was chock-a-block. We boarded up a long gangplank that ran up to the middle deck, which was allocated for seating.
Travellers of all types carrying their bundles made their way to a comfortable spot. Most found a place to lay down their load and relax on timber- slatted benches that were spread all over the forward and aft decks. To get a break from the crowds and the cockroaches running all around the floor, we decided to take the stairs and find out what was up on the top deck. To our surprise the open top deck was empty, the sun beat down from a typical mid-winter, crystal-blue Balinese sky. There were no seats up on top, just a simple railing strung with wire running around the captain’s cabin and the edge of the deck. Several silver-metal life rafts were stacked up on either side. Smokey diesel engines cranked up, the ferry pushed off and we headed out into the seemingly calm Bali Strait that divided the two islands.
Earlier in the morning four of us caught the bus from Denpasar, which was the first section of our journey that would end at the batik factories of Yogyakarta. We planned a simple trip, bus from Denpasar to the ferry, then the train from Banyuwangi on the Java side through Surabaya and then on to Yogyakarta. We had a map of where the batik markets were, all was organised, so for the time being we relaxed and enjoyed the view.
The Bali Strait that we were crossing was the link between the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea on the north of the Indonesian island chain and a huge amount of water flowed as the tide changed. We could see giant whirlpools swirling with a centre hole like water going down a drainpipe. One monster reminded me of aerial photos of cyclonic cloud patterns with that telltale black hole in the middle. Unperturbed, the captain continued on his direct line to the other side. He must have done this trip hundreds of times and seen it all before as the water below surged and twisted. Two oceans fought for supremacy in the battleground of the strait, but the ferry seemed oblivious to what was going on underneath.
Grant and I sat and chatted about the waves we had been riding and about France, where he was heading after Bali. In the distance we could see the small shadow of some swells created by the water moving up the strait. They seemed stationary as the tidal surge pushed against them. Our imagination ran wild as we threw ideas at each other what it would be like to catch a wave like that. Three perfect peaks just sitting out in the middle of the channel hardly moving, going for ever. The ferry just kept ploughing on to the other side. We could see the wharf where we would be disembarking and it would only be another 20 minutes or so. The three swells also gradually moved up the strait. “Do you think the swells and our path look like they could cross?” I asked Grant. No, the captain would see them, take a slight deviation of his line and we would get a great close-up of these swells. As they got closer we could see that their size had doubled from what they were when we first spotted them. And still the ferry kept on its line to Banyuwangi. The captain sure was leaving it late to change course around them. They were now within 200 metres and it had become obvious that the captain hadn’t seen the rogue swells. At least we would have quick access to the liferafts if something was to happen. By the time the swells reached the ferry, we were looking level from the top deck to the top of the first swell. I estimated it to be over 30 feet high. Fortunately not breaking as a normal wave would, just a huge clean face sparkling in the sun. It hit us broadside, the ferry tipping up on its side to about a 30 degree angle. We looked to the liferafts and quickly realised they weren’t tied down and had begun sliding across the smooth deck like huge bowling balls towards where we were standing. Three of them from one side were coming our way. The ferry reached the peak of the first swell then tipped over and headed down sideways into the trough and the second swell that was bigger than the first. All I could see was a huge wall of water coming towards us. The liferafts from the other side of the deck also started to slide and I think there must have been five or six large, heavy metal projectiles loose and heading in all directions. They crashed into each other as we hit the trough and again the ferry tipped back the other way. A crushing sound came from below as the second wave rushed into the bottom deck. People were screaming and running in all directions, it was mayhem. Apart from all the water that we had taken on board, cars had been washed under trucks and buses pushed sideways, jamming them even tighter than before. We grabbed what ever we could and hung on. Up to the top of the second swell we rose. It was an freakish sight, yet at the same time terrifying. Just to the side of the swells we could see giant whirlpools and I wondered what chance we would have in the water if we were to go down. I had heard of these overloaded ferries sinking and taking hundreds of lives, but never imagined how it could happen in such a way. Coming up to the top of the second swell we knew we only had to survive the next one and we would be OK. Down we went again and out of the corner of our eyes we watched for the careering liferafts. Fortunately the last swell was the smallest and all the damage had been done. By the time we were over the last swell we looked towards the wharf and realised that the ferry hadn’t moved off its line one inch. The whole episode lasted only half a minute, but had scared half a lifetime from me. We looked at each other in disbelief. Where was the captain? As we tied up at the wharf crew came running from everywhere and everyone was shouting at each other trying to work out how to untangle the mash of cars, trucks and buses. We slipped off unnoticed and headed for the train station. I hope the trip to Yogyakarta and the Batik Markets was going to be a little less eventful than that ferry crossing. I wondered if the smoking volcano in the distance was any kind of omen. Time will tell.
Noosa Festival of Surfing – Charity Auction
Posted in: Art, News, Surfboard by Richard Harvey on | No Comments
As I have done last year, I am again donating a piece of art on a board supplied by sponsor Global Surf Industries to be auctioned off at the Noosa Festival of Surfing.
Called “Tip Time” it is what most surfers dream about, pleanty of empty waves to be shared with friends.
“The Old Track to Bells”
Posted in: Art, News by Richard Harvey on | No Comments
Just finished a commission of “The Old Track to Bells” and am pleased with the result.
I am often asked what this style is that I have developed, this is probably the best explanation.
Based on a concept where having been to a surf spot, even many years ago, certain features stick in my memory. But painting from memory it is easy to miss certain elements. With this style I paint the strongest iconic features of the landscape to capture the feel of the spot. By elevating the view it allows me to incorporate a different perspective. The style, which I call “organic pop”, is then developed with smooth soft curving shapes that fit together to give a relaxed feel but still showing the iconic features of the landscape. The emotion of colour is something I have always used in my art and adds to the pleasure of viewing the piece. The smooth flowing lines of the ocean swell tell their own story. A similar method is used by the Australian Aboriginals in their dreamtime paintings to describe landscape features, animal tracks although with a dot technique. My style can be abstracted to a point that only once the features are pointed out do they become recognizable.
Pics of the Mini Simmons
Posted in: Harvey, News, Surfboard, model by Richard Harvey on January 25, 2010 | No Comments
Finally got some pics of the Mini Simmons (had a camera meltdown).
5′6″ x 20″ Some of the features are a high low rail, double foiled cedar and glass fins, yellow resin tint.
More coming through the factory now.
Spoon & Balsa Kneelos
Posted in: News, Surfboard by Richard Harvey on January 7, 2010 | No Comments
Been working on these two from before christmas and they will be finished ready to ship to the new owner Greg Walsh in Western Australia by the end of the week.
The Greenough style spoon, built to original specs will be sprayed red with a clear centre section and will have a 600 wet & dry finish.
The triple stringer balsa slab is going to be finish coated and polished.
More pics when completed.
Oh Magoo, you’ve done it again.
Posted in: Harvey, Surfboard by Richard Harvey on December 20, 2009 | No Comments
Surprised at the opening by an old classic shaped in the 70’s at The Burleigh Surf Co. In beautiful original condition, this one owner single fin has soft full box rails, hairline resin pinline with custom airbrush and a soft vee in the tail. It was shaped for John McGhee and is now part of his family’s collection. The airbrush depicts Mr Magoo (being blind as a bat) with his Billabong cord shorts, layered thongs, looking for waves in the wrong direction. Of course with John’s passion being photography, the Nikon is hanging around Magoo’s neck. Left to right Richard, John and son Andrew.
Will be down at the Burleigh Single Fin comp along with some other single fin gems, on the 9th & 10th Jan 2010
Kneelos
Posted in: News, Surfboard by Richard Harvey on December 19, 2009 | No Comments
More interesting projects in progress.
A replica Greenough Spoon and a Balsa crawford slab with burnished logos and triple stringer.
Miami Opening
Posted in: Harvey, News by Richard Harvey on | No Comments
The Opening went smoothly, the cold beer and champers got drunk, (most of it).
Some of the crew, more crowd photos to come. Photo by Billy Spong. Left to right Carl McCarthy, General manager of South Coast Foam, Richard and Jesse Watson, Black Apache Surfboards and rider of the new wave.