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December 14th, 2014 The RUN is 40 out of 41 Weeks
Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was
good surf all week long from Winter Storm Damon.
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The Surf Art Blog and Winter Storm Damon.


Typically I try and time the Annual SURF ART blog when there is a chance for no surf during the week. And as a rule the last 9 years I've run the surf art blog in the dead heat of the summer. But with this summer being so depressing (we lost 5 local surfers) I just couldn't pull it off. I was almost going to blow it off completely when I thought the month of December might be good for two reasons.

The first being to showcase the local and national talent of the artists who have honed their skills and are worthy of having their work shown on the blog. And the second,is to maybe helping to sell a few pieces of their work in time for the holidays.

But Winter Storm Damon came knocking on our door and well, there's a million pics from this week's insane run of surf. It will follow the surf art galleries.

If you don't have any surf art adorning your walls you are depriving yourself some of the sheer beauty of what being a surfer is all about. It should be no surprise to anyone reading this blog, that my home has dozens of paintings and surf photos in every room.



This is my Hannah Vokey Gallery wall. We have 8 of Hannah's paintings throughout our home. Suffice it to say, everyone I know loves her work. She and her husband Sam are two of the most talented artists who live, surf, and paint here in Hampton.



I love seeing surf art in the house. The painting above is of 10th Street and it was painted by Shubert and the bottom paining was done by my sister Donna Baldassari.



Of course there are several paintings that I did myself hanging on our walls as well. Like this one. This is actually 8' x 4'. The other painting is of a local break that I did in the mid 80's. And if you look closely you can see a wood carved wave by Erik Zak in front of the TV. I wish Erik had submitted some work for this year's blog, but like some artists they don't really adhere to things like deadlines. But if you ever get a chance, you should check out Erik's work. He's really talented.



This is my buddy Sam George marveling at the original Rick Griffin PACIFIC VIBRATIONS painting. Local surfer/art collector Jay Gould has been collecting surf art for decades. His home is swimming in surf art. In every room there is some drawing, or some painting, or some sculpture that has a surf theme attached to it.



Like this amazing painting by local Stan Chew. Stan has been painting and surfing for as long as I can remember. He's also a very accomplished guitarist and songwriter. There's so much talent on the seacoast. Just an incredible wealth of local talent.

And like Stan we have all been influenced by the great Surf Artists of our generations. Like Rick Griffin, Bill Ogden, and the man himself John Severson. It's important to note here, and really this holds true for all surf photographers. In order to paint waves, or take good photos of surfing you have to know how to surf.

And I don't mean being a total beginner (can you say kook) , I mean you have to know surfing. Period. Same with surf photography. You have to know when to pull the trigger when your shooting surf. And you have to know how to stroke that brush when your painting or drawing surfing. And the only way to really get that shot or get that painting right is by being out there yourself.



Take this painting for example. It was done by Bill Ogden. I love Odgen's work, and when you see the detail of his paintings up close, you just know, that he has paddled by hundreds of thousands of waves in his lifetime. Paddled by them, and rode enough of them to know the mechanics of a wave and how it breaks.



This painting by John Severson the man who gave us the very first SUFER Magazine, and made countless surf movies. His art has always had that unique blend of reality and fantasy. Though some of Severson's paintings of surfers riding 50' plus waves, have now become a reality. Who would of thought that back in the day?

All of the local surf artists featured here in this blog surf.

From Stan Chew to Sam and Hannah Vokey. Phil Munson and Erik Zak, Cindy Marsch and Nicole Chouinard. They all surf and they all create surf art. Oh and me. I still surf, and I still paint waves. Because I am a surf artist.

I hope you all enjoy these beautiful pieces of surf art. And remember a nice painting of a wave or surf scene would make a memorable Holiday Gift.



"Surf Art Heals All Wounds"


 

 






"Ed's Corner" pic this week is from last winter. The dawn at the Wall. Ed loved getting up before the sunrise to capture these breathtaking images. Some of his best sunrise shots are dotted throughout this blog. Just hit the archives tab and scroll through the years and see some Ed's work.

Be sure to pick up the new SFOD movie The COLD COAST and check out the extra feature of Ed O'Connell's gallery set to music.
Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.



The COLD COAST is available at CINNAMON RAINBOWS, PIONEERS BOARD SHOP, and SUMMER SESSIONS. You can also buy one from SURF FREE OR DIE by sending a money order or check for $20. Go to surffreeordie.com for ordering details.

Portions of the eventual DVD proceeds will go to the
WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT.




OK better late than never. The 10th annual RPOTW surf art column is slated for December 14th, 2014. The deadline to get your art in is December 13th, 2014 at 12:00 noon. *Please get it to me earlier if at all possible. I know I have about a half dozen new paintings that I have done since last year's. So if you have drawings, paintings, carvings, sculptures, anything but photos, then send them to me. ralph@adlantic.com.

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances

The big story this week was the CIA and the use of enhanced interrogation techniques. Why on earth they (Democrats) would want to release this information now is beyond me. What possible good will come out of this report. Most of which was done directly after 9-11. I guess some people just plain forget what happened that day.

But here, let me say this. If we could somehow summon those who perished on that day and ask them which they would prefer. To die a horrible death at the WTC. To be burned to death at the Pentagon. To crash into an empty field in PA. To have died any one of these horrible deaths, or to be water boarded?



Especially this human bag of shit. Khalid Sheik Mohammed. Or better known as KSM. This vile disgusting waste human being is the mastermind behind 9-11. The information obtained by his water-boarding yielded so much information and helped save hundreds of thousands of lives.

Look I don't care if we made a few terrorists uncomfortable. I don't. I say water-board them all day long if it yields enough information to save innocent civilian lives. Sorry John McCain, I respect you and your service to our country, but I 100% disagree with your stand on this issue. I say get the info we need to save innocent lives.



This is why I do the weekly humiliation of KSM in this blog every week. It's my way of torturing this evil SOB without getting my hands dirty having to actually touch this piece of human garbage. Here we see our boy KSM going through his notes and diary of
all the terrible things he has had done to him by the CIA since his capture in 2003.

Please enjoy the weekly humiliation of the mastermind terrorist who killed 3,000 innocent civilians on September 11th, 2001. Khalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM), the mastermind behind 9-11 the captured Al Qeada ICON is getting his weekly slap in the face. As always you're so very welcome KSM fans.

* Note to self: Must pick up a case of diet pills at Home Depot this week.

The Patriots beat the Dolphins today and clinched their 6th consecutive AFC East title. Now if Chargers could beat the Broncos we'd be in the drivers seat this post season.
HAPPY CHAUNAKAH!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Donna Baldarssari December 13th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Berardini December 24th, 2014!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesus Christ December 25th, 2014!
And Happy Birthday to all you December birthdays!
*Facebook no longer gives me the weekly birthday updates.
They only send me daily ones. Sorry.

**** It's been brought to my attention that there have been a series of break-ins along the Rye coast of surfers who leave their keys on their vehicles. We can't stand for this kind of BS. If anyone sees some breaking into vehicles while the owners are out surfing please call
the police. Or get their license number.

Please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers
to our dear friend Debra White and family. And to my sister Evamarie Urban. Also say a prayer for my good friend Robert Gerard. Please add them all to your prayer list.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 9 years. **Think about BUYING a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

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CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 10 YEARS!


Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on
My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below
on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011.
A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days.
Yesterday- Tom Sims hand drawn wave to Jay Hammer 1972
 (Below) The late Tom Sims the inventor of the modern day snowboard was an avid surfer and skateboarder before he got into snow boarding. He had come to NH several times in the early 70's And I had the pleasure of communicating with him shortly before his death. We talked about the breaks up here in NH. This hand drawn wave was given to Jay Hammer back in 1972. It's obvious his talents went beyond riding waves, skateboards, and snowboards.
Drawing by Tom Sims


Click on the photo above to see the larger version.


To contact the advertisers below, simply click on the Ad itself. Anyone wishing to find out info about advertising here can do so by emailing me directly by clicking here. Ralph's Email I'll send you a template and other info on how you can become a paid sponsor

We highly recommend the various businesses and artists listed below. Why? Well simply put, each and every one of them is a Surfer, who lives the Surfing Lifestyle, and their business is a reflection of that lifestyle that we all love.


All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK
*Unless otherwise noted.

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Today- Local New England Surf Artists.
December 14th, 2014.



(Above) "Sand Bottom Paradise"- Acrylic on canvas.
Painting by RALPH
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) "Right On Red" acrylic on canvas. Painting by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery








(Above) "JT Tortola BVI" Water color on paper by Susan Pratt Smith.
Painting by Susan Smith
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had a single regret. They are the BEST!!
*Click on the Ad above to see more!




(Above) "Mist In The Lagoon" Oil on canvas by Stan Chew
 Painting by Stan Chew
 *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) "Palm Tree" oil on canvas by Donna Baldassari
Painting by Donna Baldassari
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) "Dean Randazza" oil on canvas by Hannah Vokey.
www.boardriderart.com
Painting by Hannah Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) "Cinnamon Snow bound" oil on canvas by Hannah Vokey.
www.boardriderart.com
Painting by Hannah Vokey
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) "Secret Beach" oil on canvas. 24" x 36" by Adam Bastille
www.BastilleFineArt.com
email: BastilleFineArt@gmail.com

Painting by Adam Bastille
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Untitled. oil on canvas board size: 14" x 11"
Phillip Blake Munson <pmunson@uvm.edu>
Painting by Phillip Blake Munson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





















If you know a surfer who may be struggling with any kind of substance abuse. Click here. They can help.
*Click above to save a surfer from substance abuse.





(Above) "Orange Barrel" oil on canvas size- 48" x 36"
Phillip Blake Munson <pmunson@uvm.edu>
Painting by Phillip Blake Munson
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Untitled
Cindy Marsch ~ artist ~
 www.esty.com/shop/EastsideSalt
cynthiadickens1@yahoo.com
Painting by Cindy Marsch
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today-West Coast Surf Artists
December 14th, 2014.



(Above) "Mavericks" by Alan Casagrande . I've been posting Alans work for years here on the blog. I love his stuff. Check out his website and see his
other work.
www.bongobaystudios.com
 Painting by Alan Casagrande
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Untitled oil on canvas. Artist Llewellyn Ludlow
website www.llbro.com . Painting by Llewllyn Ludlow
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Drop by and say hello and get the
BEST Wrap in town!!




Today-Winter Storm DAMON December 9th, 10th, 11th,
and 12th 2014 *NOTE 7 separate galleries. Photos by RALPH



(Above) DAY ONE Winter Storm Damon. Wild and unruly. MVF takes the wind blown drop. December 9, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) DAY TWO Winter Storm Damon. Jesse Gould shows us how his
leash snapped. December 10, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) DAY THREE (morning) Winter Storm Damon. The big Grey beast
rose up and tried to swallow the fleeing surfers. December 11, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) DAY THREE (afternoon) Winter Storm Damon. Matt Colby angling
into a nice righthander. December 11, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) DAY FOUR (morning) Winter Storm Damon. There was still good
surf on Day 4. December 12, 2014. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) WINTER STORM DAMON Empty waves. December 11, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) WINTER STORM DAMON SEQUENCES. Kyle Linseman
got so many waves this afternoon. Check out this gallery close to 200 pics
of sequences. December 11, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) WINTER STORM DAMON SEQUENCES. Mackey V in the first
of two barrels on this wave. December 11, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) WINTER STORM DAMON SEQUENCES. Perry Reynolds was killing it out there. Check out his insane sequences. December 11, 2014.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







Today-Winter Storm DAMON December 11th, 2014
Photos by Maureen McNamara



(Above) WINTER STORM DAMON hit's Maine with the same force as he
did in NH. December 11, 2014. Photo by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery









(Above) Sam Boardman finds shelter from WINTER STORM DAMON December 11, 2014. Photo by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today-Winter Storm DAMON December 12th, 2014
Photos by Pete Bauer



(Above) Perry Reynolds busting loose on Day four of Winter Storm Damon December 12, 2014. Photo by Pete Bauer
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



 


We welcome all Surf Related pics from our Readers. Just make sure they are at least 900 pixels wide. If you have any OLD photos of local New England surfers and or of local New England surfing, we would love to see them and share them with our readers.

We can scan them for you. And we get them back to you undamaged. Trust me. We can do this...people love the older stuff. So if you have any, please send 'em along. If you have prints/slides we can scan them for you.

And we don't care if you shoot pics with with your cellphones. I mean it. Most of the images you see on the news and on the Internet were shot with them Smart Ass Phones. So shoot and ask questions later.










(Above) The last bump of Winter Storm Damon. Photo Terence Kirby
*Click on the photo above to see the whole photo gallery.

Click above to purchase on Amazon




(Above) Harrison Speak in the cold dreary grey of Winter Storm Damon.
Photo by Eric Ryan
*Click on the photo above to see the whole photo gallery.






(Above) Harrison Speak . Winter Storm Damon.
Photo by Eric Ryan
*Click on the photo above to see the whole photo gallery.
 


(Above) ALL RISE: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session.
The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding.
CASE 296 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK-
Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the Verdict
that was rendered. Photo by RALPH
* Click on the photo above to see the OUTCOME.
Click banner below to read the entire CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY Year Long Blog. From start to finish. In chronological order as it happened. And trust me, a lot happened. Some of it almost too hard to believe. But it's all there. Every single day.


CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos

 

The COLD COAST movie is now available now at the New Hampshire surf shops, and at www.surffreeordie.com


THE COLD COAST JUST RELEASED!

More clips from the winter/spring of 2014. Featuring: Stevie O'Hara, Jesse Gould, Mike Rosa, Jon Kiskinis, Kevin Grondin, Toby Parke, and Max Fatello. Shot with the Go Pro II and Canon G30 in NH. The music for this trailer is by QWILL. The movie is in the shops or online. www.surffreeordie.com
I'm really stoked about this movie. Hope you like it.

THE COLD COAST AVAILABLE at CINNAMON RAINBOWS, PIONEERS, and SUMMER SESSIONS.

The music is by Jesse Ciarmataro (QWILL), Trower, and Tabor.
THE COLD COAST the latest documentary from Surf Free Or Die. 

John (JT) Taylor 1979-1989 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

Back in 1978 JT and I lost a good friend to cancer. Joe Somogyi was a Vietnam vet and passed away after 6 months of being diagnosed. We needed a break from our sorrow. We needed to go surfing somewhere other then New Hampshire. JT picked out a small Island in the Caribbean called Tortola BVI. We went down there not knowing anything about the surf potential. But what we found was a magical place, where we met and became friends for life with two California surfers. Jeff Chamberlain and Sam George. The surf was great. The trip was a trip of a lifetime for the two of us.

This all happened in January of 1979.

The footage you see here in Tortola was shot by me and JT. Back in the day, we took turns shooting each other.

It's old super 8mm and the camera work is spotty at best. The flickering and dirt and dust add to the ambiance of this old footage. Same with the NH footage. It's old. And we must of shown these old reel to reel flicks a million times back in the day.

The second half of this movie is of JT and friends surfing the ROCKS. I have so many old reels of movies, and I will eventually get them on disk and online. But suffice it to say, this is just scratching the surface of what I have. There's more , way more to come. *You can clearly see JT's powerful carves and bottom turns. And he had the BEST kick out ever!. The man was a powerful surfer. Just raw power. And his humor was just as raw.

But we all loved him. And we will all miss him terribly. Somehow, I think he is on some rare reef, maybe it's a left, or maybe it's a right. Or maybe it's like the ROCKS and has both. But I can see him now, taking off deep behind the boil, and just carving those deep gouges as only he could, and finishing each wave with that huge and powerful kick out. You were something JT. Nobody surfed like you.

Rest in Peace JT. We love you.




 





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CLICK CRACKIE BELOW TO SEE All the CRACKIE VIDS!

CLICK ON THE CRACKIE IMAGE TO SEE ALL THE CRACKIE VIDEOS. Crackie's still on an unpaid administrative leave. However if you need
a Crackie Fix just click on his face and go to his YouTube page and watch all his absurd videos. And if you have a question for Crackie,
no matter how stupid, or absurd, please send it here...crackie@adlantic.com

You can also check Crackie out on Facebook. You should Friend Him...though there are no guarantees that he'll be nice to you.



COMING NEXT WEEK ....Photos by Nicole Chouinard

Recorded in 1978. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic





COMING NEXT WEEK some really beautiful photos by Nicole Chouinard


Recorded in 1983. Click on VINNY CD art to see a larger
version and how to order this CD and others for sale at
GAF Music. www.gafmusic.com
A Division of Adlantic
 


(Above) Put the cursor over the images above to see happens when you DROP in
on someone. You become Invisible. Simply put the mouse over the photo to see the
original photo and then marvel at the results of what happens when the criminal
becomes invisible.*Put the cursor over the photo to see the Real image.
Photo by RALPH

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Today December 14th, 2014
"CANNON BALL!!!! "



(Above) This is what we used to call a Cluster F*** in the Marines.
Photo by RALPH


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