Heavywater Magazine

Being an art/graphic designer within the realm of the business world, Rick Tontz still gets away into the world of what he truly loves. Painting ocean lines, waves, coastlines and what every surfer dreams about. The surreal world where the perfect waves come through and his visualization mesmerizes you by his thought process as he strokes through the
lineup.

So Rick, how did you get started?

I had been obsessed with clay since ‘91 and sort of hit a wall. I wasn’t fulfilled any longer and was searching for another creative outlet. I had a couple of friends who were painting at the time and asked one of them what classes I should take to get into painting. He said “None, here’s some paint, brushes and a canvas, go paint what’s in your soul.” I started with that one and have been at it ever since.

Your influences?

I would have to say my biggest influence is Mother Nature. The ocean meeting the land. Musicians, Artists, Photographers, Writers, anyone who is not afraid to follow their creative expression.

Water color, acrylic paints, air brush, brush, any particular process or a combination of them all?

I’m working mostly with oils on canvas now. Its such a fluid medium that’s workable for days. I mean I can work on a painting and if its not going in the direction I want I can let it go for a couple of days and come back to it with a refreshed mindset with the paint still wet.

When you're out there surfing do you visualize the canvas, especially on those clean perfecto days?

To a certain extent. I look at color a lot when I'm in the water but I think for me it's more the anticipation of the session. Pulling up to a spot, checking the surf and seeing it going silly and knowing that you will be a part of that as soon as you can get out there. Your mind is instantly clear and nothing else matters. Just like being a kid again with no worries. If it's not looking so good, I sometimes stand there and think, what if. What if it was bigger, what if the wind switched, what if that sandbar shifted this way, what if it was just me and a couple of buddies out. I do the same thing when painting but I can make those what if's a reality.

Where do you get your inspiration from, I mean you where several hats, focusing on design work for other people, shifting gears constantly, is it just breaking out of the daily mold and just escaping?

Definitely escaping the rest of the world and getting that feeling. I paint mostly at night when things are quite, put on some music get a glass of wine and I can really get into that space. Designing for clients is an interesting thing. You've got to consider your clients needs right from the start. Understanding their industry, their audience and their purpose guides your creativity. Painting on the other hand is guided by nothing but the painter. There are no limits. You have total freedom to express yourself. Same thing as surfing.

So where are you taking your work, is this something that will one day be both your full time work/passion?

I really hope so... I think it would be difficult to have my artwork be so influenced by what the public is willing to spend money on but at the same time I can't think of a better lifestyle. Buy some land, build an art studio, surf, have a few kids.Sounds good to me.