SURF ART | JOE HODNICKI ARTIST PROFILE [02.07.2010]Industry

SURF ARTIST | JOE HODNICKI

NAME: Joe Hodnicki
LOCATION: Jersey, USA
CONTACT: OKOTOjoe@gmail.com
WEB: www.SharingTheStoke.com,  www.OKOTO.com


So I just turned 30 this past year. I live in Central Jersey and have a degree in Molecular Genetics. I guess I could be heading off to work in a lab coat, but instead I sit here barefoot, sipping my coffee with my ink stained hands.

Rewind my life 20 something years. As a kid, all I ever wanted to do was hang at my grandparent’s beach house so I could get myself in the water. If I wasn’t teaching myself how to surf with my second hand surfboard, I was likely sitting on it, by the shoreline, sketching. Art and the ocean were my first loves and have stayed with my throughout my life. I went on to lifeguard for six years, doing ding repairs for locals and eventually started my own shaping business out of my garage.  I named it OKOTO. I prided myself on working closely with the buyers, shaping and glassing the boards to fit their individual style.

I eventually went off to college in Philly, but continued shaping and painting whenever I wasn’t working. As soon as I graduated I realized I needed to figure out which path to set out on, so I packed my bags, emptied my savings account and started traveling. I lived a few months in a tree house in the Virgin Islands, traveled abroad and came back for a few winters’ stay in Puerto Rico. It was during this time that I decided I’d stick with what I loved most, and finally settled at home to work on my business.

I moved OKOTO into the apparel industry a few years ago, and it’s been growing ever since. For any of the moments I wish I lived somewhere more fitting to my lifestyle, I’m also grateful to be in such a centralized location to the ocean, the mountains, farmland and the cities. I can draw upon the art rich culture of NYC & Philly, and the inspiration of the shores I grew up on. Both of which greatly influence my artwork and business.

This past year has been a huge growing experience for me as an artist. I’ve branched beyond design work and dove back into painting, which is mainly in oils, but occasionally acrylic. My current series of oils is called “The Art in Shaping” all about capturing those moments in time of a shaper – an art form in itself. I’ve also just started showing my block prints, one of my favorite mediums, since it allows me to really work with my hands in the carving and printing process, but also lets me showcase my love of pen and ink. I’ve also been lucky enough to find a great Pawlonia supplier about a year ago and have been shaping Alaias and hand planers for some time now.

- Joe Hodnicki

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