Surf Artist Titus Ruiz

Surfers love expression in and out of the water and every now and again we come across a stoked artist that is inspired by the sea.

surf-artist-titus

When I stubbled upon Titus I was interested in the backstory of this surfing artist—having done a fair amount of painting in my own life it always amazes when someone chooses the life of an artist.

One of the reasons we surf is to capture something magical, almost ephemeral, and for someone to capture that ‘thing’ we all feel in surfing and translate it into an expression on canvas is a true gift.

Enter surfer and artist Titus Ruiz.

Where do you live and create your surf art?I was born in Peru but in the last 15 years I have been living in different parts of Central America, North America and Europe. Now I spend most of the year in Tenerife (Canary Islands) and the rest in Peru with my family.

The creative process is constant and everywhere, I always carry a notebook to write and sketch things that I see everyday: scenes or simple elements that serve as inspiration.

Single

How did it all begin?

I am a graphic designer by profession, so I was always interested in art and graphics, but it was not until the year 1997 that I started experimenting with painting.

I moved to town and started to live alone, far from the big city, friends with no TV. The day grew long and I found two tubes of paint, blue and white, and that was it. I was slowly learning and teaching myself.
 
What inspires you to be a surf artist?

I believe that everything around us is always inspiring: the sea, sun, surf, women—the little details, music, and nature.
 
What other artists do you respect?

I respect all artists by the simple fact of being, and I mean those artists who work with their hands, mind and soul— those who have the ability to convey feelings about what they do and create.

Under the Sun 

What is art?

It is difficult to define, involves a myriad of features to consider and that makes it relative, but I would say that is the expression of what one carries inside and can transmit it to others, generating sensations or feelings.
 
What material do you use?

I use mainly oil, also I like drawing with markers, acrylic, ink, and pencils—I like to experiment with any medium.
 
Who buys your art?

Generally everyone who smiles and is happy seeing my work and wants to keep this feeling close, but most people who buy my work are surfers and people connected with the sea and nature.
 
You must be a surfer, what do you think of today’s surfing culture?

Yes I am.

I personally think that surf is now becoming fashionable and trendy—I am glad that there are still “soul surfers” who keep the essence of old school surf alive. Surf as something important, fun and part of nature, and I enjoy it in the most simple way.
 
Do you have any thought on ecology and surfing?

Definitely. All of us belong to nature, and we must take care of it, it is the environment in which we surf, and it makes us happy by giving us natural beauty. Being aware of this and spreading the form of caring is everyones responsibility.  What better than us surfers to be stewards of our ocean.
 
Where can people find your art online?

Well, i have a website  www.titusruiz.com where people can find some of my artwork.

And also a Facebook Fan Page with the latest news www.facebook.com/titusartwork

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Derek Dodds

Derek Dodds is founder of the world's first ecological surf company Wave Tribe, surfboard shaper, world traveler, author and Mini Simmons enthusiast.

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Meet Surfer Derek Dodds

Derek Dodds | Surfer, Shaper, Traveler
I'm Derek Dodds, the guy behind Srfer.com.com. I love surfing, shaping, adventure travel, IPAs, useful gear, and all things related to the sea.