BIO/CV
Bold colors, geometric patterns, and botanical profiles capture the eye in Erik Abel’s artwork. Inspired by his love of the ocean, surfing and travel, Abel’s work articulates the spirit of the water and awe of nature. His roots as a California surfer intermingle with his experiences living in the Pacific Northwest as well as traveling to the South Pacific and Central America, imparting an organic, tribal style to his subjects and compositions. Upon a closer look, Abel’s graphic imagery unfolds to tell the story of his paintings. Accents peak through unexpectedly revealing the layers of color Abel cloaks in each piece while loose strokes of colored pencil create detail and dimension. Abel now lives and works in Ashland, Oregon. His original pieces have been featured in galleries across the country and abroad while his commercial work has attracted clients including Patagonia, Reef, REI and Billabong. Abel gives back to environmental and humanitarian projects through nonprofit partnerships, exhibitions, and commercial projects.
Education
Southern Oregon University, 2000-2003, BA in Painting
Ventura College, 1998-1999, Fine Art & Design Studies
Selected Clients
REI
Patagonia
Pottery Barn
Billabong
Rip Curl
Reef
Sector 9 Skateboards
Trader Joe's
Rumpl
Save The Waves
Surfing Magazine
New Seasons Market
Blue Moon Brewing Co.
Tru Protection
National Cherry Blossom Festival
SurfAid.org
Heal the Bay
Carver Skateboards
EverSesh Skateboards
Oxbow
Oddica
Rockstar Energy
Signal Snowboards
Roberts Surfboards
Glissade Snowboards
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos
Beachworks
Maui and Sons
Coastal Classics
Laurelwood Brewing Co.
Breakside Brewing Co.
Moment Surf Co.
Lokahi
Black Strap
Outside Van
Solo Exhibitions
2023 ”Stormy Feather”
Archimedes Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR
2022 ”Happy Place”
Brophy Gallery, San Clemente, CA
2021 ”Life Wyldest”
Archimedes Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR
2010 ”The Fluid That Binds Us”
Surfing Heritage Museum, CA
2008 “Ripple: Art Affecting Oceans”
Art Whino,Surfrider Benefit
New Work
Red Brick Gallery, Ventura, CA
2006 “Public: Collection”
Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2003 “Systematics”
Mobius Gallery, Ashland, OR
Group Exhibitions
2022
"Lightly Salted" 2-person show with Spencer Reynolds. Archimedes Gallery
2019
LifeWyld: VOLUME 2” 2-person show with Blaine Fontana. Archimedes Gallery
Group Show, Pueo Gallery, Paia, HI
“Earth & Ocean Arts Festival” Archimedes Gallery
Village Theatre Art Gallery, Danville, CA,“Into the Blue”
Vs Gallery, Melbourne, AUS,“I Can’t Believe It’s Not Gutter
”Wyland Gallery, Haleiwa, HI “14th Annual Surf Art Show”
2018
Archimedes Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR “LifeWyld” 2-person show with Blaine Fontana
Greenroom Gallery, Yokohama, Japan “Greenroom Festival”
2017
Archimedes Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR “Stormy Weather Group Show
”Wyland Gallery, Haleiwa, HI “12th Annual Surf Art Show”
2016
Archimedes Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR “Stormy Weather Group Show”
Village Theatre Gallery, Danville, CA “Surf’s Up”
Wyland Gallery, Haleiwa, HI “11th Annual Surf Art Show”
2015
Wyland Gallery, Haleiwa, HI “10th Annual Surf Art Show”
Wyland Gallery Haleiwa and Waikiki, Signature Gallery Lahaina
2014
Wyland Gallery, Haleiwa, HI “9th Annual Surf Art Show”
“Vagabonde Surf Art Festival”Bordeaux, France
2013
Art Whino Gallery, National Harbor, MD, “Branching Out”
2012
Couch, Santa Barbara, CA
WAV Gallery, Ventura, CA, “WAV on Board”
WAV Gallery, Ventura, CA, “Soon to be Summer”
Create Fixate, LA, CA “10 Yr Anniversary Show”
2012
Driftwood Salon, San Francisco, CA, “SurfAid BoardArt Benefit”
2011
Couch, Santa Barbara, CA, “Freedom Riders”
Hawaiian Salt, Kauai, HI, “Summer Aloha Reception”
Ventura Museum of Art, Ventura, CA, “Splash”
Green Flash Gallery, Cardiff, CA, “New Wave”
2010
Billabongs Design For Humanity, Hollywood, CA
2008
Gallery 1988, San Fransisco, CA, “All in Together”
BLVD Gallery, Seattle, WA “Trade Bloc”
2007
DVA Gallery, Chicago, IL “Picks of the Harvest: Chicago Invasion”
Art Whino Gallery, Washington DC “Grand Opening Group Show”
Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 3-Person, “Global Storming”
Brian Marki Gallery, Portland, OR “Urban Smile"
The Life Gallery, Portland, OR “We Must Learn to Speak as Prophets”
Wind-up Gallery, Mesa, AZ, “The Rising”
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA “Untitled Love Project”
The Hive Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Featured Artist, February
Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles, CA “Picks of the Harvest: Batch 4”
The Venice Contemporary, Venice, CA “Group Show”
2006
Create:Fixate, Hollywood, CA “Alive in Los Angeles”
Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles, CA “Square Foot Show”
Thinkspace Gallery, Los Angeles, CA “Picks of the Harvest: Batch 3”
Hangar 1018, Los Angeles, CA “The MAX”
Cannibal Flower, Los Angeles, CA, Ongoing Monthly Group Exhibition
Hive Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Ongoing Monthly Group Exhibition
Publications
2024
Book: Surf & Art - Contemporary Surf Artists Around the World, Featured Artist
2019
Visit Ventura Inspiration Guide, Cover artwork
2017
Surf Story Volume
2015
Salt Magazine, Summer
2013
Alem Dekor Magazine, Turkey, March
2012
Concrete Wave Magazine, Cover, Summer
SUPing Magazine, Nov
2010
Fluir Magazine, Oct
Surfing Magazine, Last Ride Illustration, Oct
Book: Torso, Featured shirt design
2009
Tide Magazine, Nov 2009, 10 Page Interview
2008
Surfing Magazine, Vol.44 #11, Last Ride Section & Vol.44 #12
Book: Invision 2, Another Sky Press, Featured Artist
2007
Juxtapoz Magazine, San Francisco, CA, Issue #80
PDX Magazine, Portland, OR, December
Citizen LA, Los Angeles, CA, Vol 2 Number 1
Los Angeles Downtown News, Los Angeles, CA, Feb 5th
2006
Oddica Magazine, Orange County, CA, Cover, Inaugural Issue
2003
3AM Magazine, Ashland, OR, Issues 1 & 2
Awards & Recognitions
Save The Waves.org / Artist Ambassador
Ashland Gallery Association / Board Member and Artist Liaison
My Long-winded Story
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