I was born in California during the "baby boom" era between 1945 and 1950. My father was a jazz and studio musician. My mother sang in the opera. So from the moment I was brought home from the hospital, all I heard was music all day long. I think hearing all this music, fused itself into my soul and pushed me in a creative direction.

Bottom Turn

Cat

In spite of my father and mother's wish that I take piano lessons and become a "great musician." What really got my juices flowing was creating art.  I first got interested in art when I became a surfer at the age of 12 years old. I was enthralled by Rick Griffin's comics of the little surfer character called "Murphy" and also John Severson's whimsical view of the surf scene

At first I copied everything they did, however, as I matured and majored in Art in high school and college, I began to develop my own style. I think I was most influenced by Warhol, Peter Max, Van Gogh, H.R. Geiger and Salvador Dali. However, when I graduated from college, I realized there wasn't a great deal of interest in the kind of work I was doing

Aquarelle

Robert August

It was very dark and esoteric. Even I wouldn't want my paintings on my wall. They were too "out there".....for lack of a better word

Then one day I had an epiphany or enlightening experience. Surfer Magazine had it's Annual Collage Contest in 1989. Just for "kicks" I whipped out this fun kind of collage that took me approximately one half hour. I had forgotten all about it, when one night I was at the local supermarket, thumbing through an issue of Surfer Magazine. To my shock and amazement, I had placed 4th out of 75,000 entrees. I was so happy, I was showing the box boys, cashiers  or anyone who would listen to this "psycho."

Carnival

Rasta Boy

It made me realize that there are so many talented surfer/artists out there....and to place 4th just tweaked my mind and made me realize I had been on the wrong path all those years. I should be painting the thing that brings me joy, which is surfing. I began whipping out acrylics  every other day and pretty soon I had a good portfolio. In addition, I made signed and numbered lithographs, which I sold through the net. One month I sold over 50 lithographs. I don't plan to make a fortune, however, since I sustained an accident, I've had to rely on my art as a means of making a living. Prior to doing my artwork, I was a Licensed Private Investigator, specializing in Worker's Compensation Fraud. I find it somewhat ironic that I've become a claimant, which has allowed me to do the thing I love the most

I truly believe that art, like music, can inspire people, make them happy as well as raise their life condition. If I can inspire people and bring some joy into their lives. If I can do that with my artwork, it brings me great happiness and enlightenment, knowing that someone out there has a painting or print on their wall that they can look at forever and be happy. It's worth more to me than money or fame.

Sincerely,     Wayne D. Roten

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